A TOWERING willow tree that overhangs the road through Newland, yards from the Cathedral of the Forest, has been saved from the chop by planners.

The owners of Yew Tree Cottage wanted to remove the giant willow, as they considered it a dangerous size so close to the house and the road.

Building works were also planned, and only felling the tree would have prevented its roots and canopy from hampering the project, they said. 

But Forest councillors have spared the willow the axe after a report said: “The tree is a prominent feature when entering and exiting the village of Newland and is considered to contribute to the character and appearance of the conservation area by way of its maturity.”

The cottage owners were served with a temporary tree preservation notice last September after applying to fell the tree, and councillors confirmed the order at last week’s planning committee meeting.

Objecting to the order, the owners said: “Although the tree is visible from the road, we do not believe this in itself to be justification for it to be a public amenity.”

In the original application to chop down the tree, the owners said the primary concern was safety, because: “The tree is taller than our house and much wider than our boundary.”

A tree surgeon had told them that future building works would be impacted by its roots and canopy, and felling “was the only viable long term option”.

But Newland Parish Council backed the protection of the willow, and the Forest council’s planning report said: “No evidence has been submitted that the tree is in a dangerous condition.”