Rochdale Council blocks resident’s bid to cut branches from protected oak tree

Tuesday, 2 September 2025 08:41

By David Murphy

A homeowner’s application to cut back branches from a mature oak tree in Rochdale has been rejected after council officers ruled the landmark tree must be protected.

A Rochdale resident has lost a planning battle to trim back overhanging branches from a large oak tree protected by a tree preservation order.

The tree, at the junction of Arthur Street and Crimble Street near the town centre, is covered by TPO 297 along with several others in the area. Swera Khalild, who lives at 1A Arthur Street, had asked Rochdale Council for permission to remove “every branch that overhangs the garden”, claiming the tree blocks light, clogs drains with leaves and has a damaged limb.

But council officers ruled the application lacked sufficient detail and failed to show any statutory reason for the works.

In their report, planning officers described the oak as a “mature tree which has stood for many decades” and said it was “a proud spectacle” contributing significantly to the street scene. They added:

“Development of 1A Arthur Street was undertaken with full knowledge of its proximity to the protected oak tree and the need to prioritise its health, ecological and amenity value.”

The council’s tree officer objected “unreservedly” to the application, warning that unspecified pruning could cause “significant and long-term damage” to the tree.

While the applicant argued that the tree causes practical problems, including shade and blocked drains, officers said there was no compelling evidence the tree was unhealthy or dangerous.

Refusing the application, Rochdale Council concluded that the tree adds ecological and visual value to the area and that removing branches without clear justification would breach planning policies.

The oak’s long-term protection was a key condition of planning permission for the recently built detached property, according to the report.