Several trees have been unexpectedly heavily cut back in Cockermouth.
A row of lime trees on Main Street were pollarded by Cumberland Council earlier this week, which has sparked outrage amongst local people.
Cockermouth District and Civic Trust said it believed the pollarding had been carried out illegally by the council without any notice or planning permission in the town’s conservation area.
It added that if permission had been granted, a timing constraint should have been issued to protect the health of the trees and bird nesting season, which runs from March until the end of July.
The lime trees are included the Conservation Area Appraisal for Cockermouth which recognises the tree-lined main street as part of the character of the town.
Darren Ward, architectural advisor at the trust, said he believed the pollarding of the trees was ‘utterly irresponsible’.
He said: “There does not seem to be any logic to it, but whoever is behind it has absolutely no care for the visual impact on Main Street or whether the trees live or die.
“They should not be involved with the council if that is their attitude. I unequivocally condemn the actions and I will challenge whoever is behind it.
“I’m not often lost for words, but I am absolutely appalled, there is no justification for it whatsoever.”
Lime trees are typically pollarded in late winter to early spring while they are dormant, allowing energy for new growth in the spring.
Pollarding lime trees in late spring and summer can put significant stress on the tree and result in health issues, weak regrowth and an unsightly appearance through the summer months.
Darren added: “The Main Street trees have been pollarded for many years, it’s what gives them their shape, so that is not the problem.
“We’re in a conservation area and permission and an application is needed to do any work on them and that has been the same way for the 30 years I have lived in Cockermouth.
“Outside of the horticultural and environmental issues there is the visual impact of it too, it looks like a hurricane has gone through the street. They have totally brutalised it and taken the green away, it is utterly irresponsible.
“It has made Cockermouth an entirely different place. Cockermouth Main Street is its trees, they won’t live forever, but they are our elders in the town, they connect us to the past and we should be respecting and looking after them.”
Cockermouth Town Council has confirmed the work has been carried out by Cumberland Council.
A spokesman said: “Lime trees should be pollarded every 4 years to help keep them healthy and these were last done in 2020.
“Cockermouth Town Council has been asking for this to be addressed for over a year and it was originally promised (by Cumberland Council) to be done late last year.
“While we are keen that Cumberland Council do the work, our expectation is that it is done at the appropriate time with due regard to the welfare of the trees and wildlife.”
Cumberland Council have been contacted for comment.
Under the Town and Country Planning Act, six weeks written notice to the local planning authority is required before work, including pollarding, can be carried out on trees in a conservation area.
Any work carried out without notice risks criminal penalties.
