A tree owner in St Albans has been told a ‘tree protection order’ (TPO) must remain on a copper beech tree – despite reporting that the tree has caused damage to parked cars.

The particular copper beech stands within the parking area of The Limes, in Upper Marlborough Road.

And on Monday (June 10) St Albans District Council’s planning (development control) committee central met to determine whether the TPO on the tree should stay.

The landowner had asked for this particular copper beech to be removed from the order.

They had suggested it had limited amenity value, that the roots were damaging a boundary wall and that debris from the tree had caused damage to cars parked nearby.

But at the meeting councillors were informed that the mature tree was in good condition, was clearly visible from the highway and that it contributed to the “verdant nature” of the area.

And it was said that if any remedial works were needed, as a result of damage to structures or to cars, then permission could be applied for.

At the meeting, the revised TPO – which includes this copper beech and a number of other trees and which replaces a previous TPO – was agreed by the committee.

The planning and building control department has been conducting an ongoing review of all the council’s TPOs to ensure they are up to date and fit for purpose.