THE owner of six trees is urging council planners to permit their felling, despite a tree officer's recommendation they be kept. 

Jo Gualano spoke about the danger the poplar trees pose, with some coming down in Storm Henk at the start of the year.

Two trees were removed as a result of the storm damage. 

Ms Gualano wants to remove and replace the poplars at New House, Down Farm Lane, in Headbourne Worthy. 

The application will be decided by Winchester City Council's planning committee on Wednesday, April 17. 

Ms Gualano said: “It's an accident waiting to happen. The trees don't have an amenity value, they're dangerous. The trees will be replaced. We don't want a repeat of what happened at the start of the year.”

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The applicant explained that the site already has a number of safe trees. The plans received nine supporting comments, saying the trees are dangerous. The Worthys ward councillor Jackie Porter also supports it.

A tree survey was carried out by Sapling Arboriculture. The report said: “The client has raised concerns relating to the trees including their condition, proximity to the dwellings, highway and adjacent properties.

“The trees subject to the survey stand principally on the west side of the property.

“In Storm Henk (January 2) a mature poplar trees to the south east of the dwelling failed across the highway causing damage to properties more than 24m distant. Two immediately adjacent trees have been subsequently removed due to the significantly increased risk of their failure.”

Allison Amin, of Wellhouse Lane, Headbourne Worthy, said: “I support the application to remove the trees from this site. Damage to the applicants' and neighbouring properties has recently occurred due to a falling poplar tree. Removal of the remaining trees will avoid risk of further damage.”

Dr Alison Moore, of Springvale Road, said: “The trees are now oversized and already two have been blown down in a storm. Luckily without causing injury or damage. These could cause similar issues and are close to the road.”

The tree officers' report said that the tree should not be felled due to them having a 'high amenity value'. The report said: “These mature Poplar trees can be clearly seen from a number of public standpoints, so have a good public visual amenity value as a group. The removal of these five protected Poplar trees would have a significant detrimental impact on the landscape and character of the local area.”

For more information about the plans online, search 24/00230/TPO on Winchester City Council's planning portal.