By Jamie Shapiro, Local Democracy Reporter
Seven trees at Marlhill Copse have been protected by Southampton City Council after limiting-conditions to Southampton Airport, who owns the woodland, were approved by councillors.
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The trees are protected by TPOs (Tree Protection Orders) so the airport has to apply to the city council for permission to do any work.
Certain work was outright refused on two of the trees; an ash and a pine – and limitations were put on all the others, including other applications on the ash and the pine.
A spokesperson from Southampton Airport attended the council’s planning meeting on Tuesday (June 27) to give his feedback on the tree officer’s conditions.
He said the airport ‘fully supports the recommendations’ – and explained why the work needs to be done.
“It’s very much about public safety.
“The airport has a duty of care as the owner of Marlhill Copse to ensure we keep the area safe for visitors, adjacent properties – as well as adjacent roads.
“Given the use of Marlhill by a lot of the public now we treat safety as we do at the airport as our number one priority for all members of the public.
“Since Marlhill has come under the airport’s ownership both access and safety of Marlhill. has improved significantly.”
Despite Tuesday’s (June 27) planning meeting ending in a perfectly amicable agreement, the copse has a history of being the centre of tree-related debate.
In 2020 the High Court refused to let the airport fell three pine trees, and then in 2021 the council refused to let it fell over 100.
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