Furious row breaks out over plans to fell trees in British seaside village

A furious planning row has broken out in a Norfolk seaside town over plans to fell a number of trees.

The row has erupted in the coastal village of Scratby over proposals to remove six trees safeguarded by a preservation order.

Resident John Critoph, whose property is located at Abels Court on Beach Road, submitted an application to Great Yarmouth Borough Council seeking permission to cut down half a dozen of the 17 Lombardy poplars after one fell onto his house, causing substantial damage to the roof.

The application has sparked opposition from nearby residents, who have raised concerns about the credibility of supporting evidence and highlighted contradictions with official council assessments.

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Ormesby St Margaret with Scratby Parish Council examined the proposal at a meeting last night.

An arboricultural assessment conducted by Ian Flatters of Target Trees Ltd concluded the poplars are experiencing significant deterioration, with ten of the trees estimated to survive fewer than ten years.

The survey attributes the accelerated decline to building work on two neighbouring development sites, including Badger Building's Orchard Meadow project.

According to the report, fence posts were installed using concrete directly within the root zones of the trees without any protective covering.

The assessment recommends that the borough council examine whether planning regulations have been breached at either construction site.

Five residents of Woodlands Close have lodged formal objections to the proposal.

One raised doubts about the impartiality of the assessment, pointing out Mr Flatters both prepared the survey and submitted the felling application on behalf of the homeowner.

Another objector noted the findings appear to contradict significantly an arborist's report that the borough council commissioned in September 2025.

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Opponents have also stressed the poplars existed long before the new-build bungalows at Abels Court were erected.

"These trees are very much a landmark for Scratby," one neighbour stated, adding that purchasers of nearby properties should have considered their proximity to the trees beforehand.

This marks at least the third occasion in three years that attempts have been made to carry out work on the protected trees, with a previous application for complete removal rejected in 2024.

Residents have expressed their dismay at the prospect of losing the poplars.

"It would be a sad day for Scratby if these trees were felled," one villager commented.

Neighbours maintain that the trees have been a defining feature of the area for decades and should be preserved despite the homeowner's concerns about their condition.

The parish council meeting took place on Monday evening to consider the contentious application.

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