Councillors and residents are concerned about the recent work that has taken place to remove trees in a public space adjacent to Metcalf Close and Rudhall Brook, next to Ross Health and Fitness.

The area is said to fall within the “Ross-on-Wye Conservation Area.”

Cllr Caroline Utting, Chairperson of the Ross-on-Wye Town Council Planning Committee, says she “shall be asking the Deputy Clerk to make investigations and add this matter to the agenda of the next Planning Committee meeting.”

Caroline added that she didn’t “recall seeing the required Section 211 notice regarding works to trees in this area.”

As the work has already taken place, she added that the Town and Country Planning Act states: “If a tree in a conservation area is removed, uprooted or destroyed in contravention of section 211 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, the landowner has a duty to plant another tree of an appropriate size and species at the same place as soon as he or she reasonably can.

“The same duty applies if a tree in a conservation area is removed because it is dead or presents an immediate risk of serious harm. The duty attaches to subsequent owners of the land.”

She has urged the West Ward Councillor, Richard Mayo, to “take up this matter and ensure the site is tidied up” and replace the trees that were removed in accordance with the Planning Act.

A Herefordshire Council spokesperson told the Ross Gazette: “A tree survey was undertaken on the Sycamore trees opposite the entrance to Metcalfe Close in Ross-on-Wye which determined that several were unsafe and required removal. Once on site, several other trees were found to be in a poor condition and were also removed.”