HEREFORDSHIRE Council has confirmed a tree preservation order on trees at Larkside, Knapp Lane, Ledbury.

The order was made on November 23, 2006 after an outline planning application was submitted proposing development on the site. This application alerted council officers to the possible threat to a number of mature trees on the site which were to be felled if the scheme was allowed to go ahead.

Trees within the grounds of Larkrise covered by the order include two Douglas Fir, four silver birch, one field maple, one copper beech, one cherry, one yew and one sweet chestnut, meaning they cannot be lopped or felled without prior consent.

In making the order, a tree amenity valuation was carried out by Herefordshire Council's senior landscape officer Chris Mayes and the trees in question scored between 17 and 19, the benchmark rating for making a TPO being 15.

Characteristics making the trees particularly worthy of retention included their maturity, form and prominent position next to a well-used lane.

Chris Mayes said: "The trees in question are ideally suited to the size and scale of domestic development in which they grow. They are considered to make a significant contribution to the public amenity of the area and are in good general health and condition."

The order was made under emergency procedures in accordance with section 198, 201, 203 of the Town and Country Planning Act.

An objection was received to the cherry tree being included under the order and members of the Northern Area Planning Sub-Committee were asked to determine the matter.

Councillors agreed to confirm the tree preservation order, including the cherry tree.

There is no right of appeal against such an order but an application can be made to lop or fell and if the council refuses this then the applicant can appeal to the Secretary of State.