Perhaps even more pertinent given the number of storms this winter, Bristol City Council received not one, but two planning applications at the end of 2024 from local golf clubs seeking permission to remove trees from their courses, amid concerns over safety to golfers and walkers.
Henbury Golf Club lodged an application to fell 10 poplar trees situated between the 1st and 2nd holes. The trees are not protected but are in a conservation area, therefore permission would be required to remove them.
The golf club said in its planning application document: “Over the last six years many branches have fallen off these trees resulting in near misses to golfers and public. We have also had two of these trees snap in half which would have been catastrophic if anyone was in the vicinity….we believe that they need taking out before someone is injured or possibly killed.” The club pointed out that golfers regularly play near or under the trees, and walkers are frequently in the area with their dogs, so it impacts widely from a health and safety perspective.
The application also stated that trees will be replaced where appropriate, with “a range of young birch, oak and cherry trees on site ready to be transplanted where necessary.”
At the end of December, however, the council made the decision to refuse the application with a number of objections having been lodged regarding wildlife, the environment and lack of documentation over near misses and proper arborist assessment. It is not yet known whether or not the golf club will appeal.
Not too far away, Shirehampton Park Golf Club also sought to axe 10 trees – including two Scots Pines, which, it says “obstruct visibility across various parts of the course. This lack of visibility creates a severe health and safety risk, as players are unable to see others in the vicinity”. A number of overgrown ash trees are also at risk due to “a disadvantage for our female players, as their teeing ground receives significantly less light than the men’s, resulting in poorer playing conditions.” Finally, two already-dead cherry trees are considered a health and safety risk due to their decaying conditions.
There are some objections to the plan; however, the proposed tree works have been approved by the National Trust, which owns the land and rents it to the golf club.
At the time of going to print, the decision for this application remains pending.