A MATURE cedar tree in a Winchester suburb has been given a death sentence by city councillors.

The planning committee has approved a plan by John Parker to cut down the tree in Stockers Avenue, Teg Down.

There were several letters of objection and also from ward councillor Eileen Berry who said the tree, believed to be 100 years old, was in good condition.

But a report to the committee said the tree was only three-four metres from two houses, including Mr Parker’s, and the branches were beginning to drop.

An assessment of risk said there was a 1 in 620 chance of a limb falling; the Health and Safety Executive has said 1 in 10,000 was an acceptable level of risk. Even with remedial work the risk would still be 1 in 6,200.

The council acknowledged that the loss will affect the visual amenity of the area.