A BID to cut down a protected tree in Bournemouth due to fears it could fall on children has been refused by councillors.

The Monterey pine in the garden of 13 Chigwell Road was subject to a Tree Protection Order, but the owner of the neighbouring property sought to remove it, saying it could harm her own children or those in the neighbouring Queen's Park Academy playground.

In a report, Ms Brady stated that local tree surgeons deemed the tree to be dangerous and at risk of collapse and that assessments of the tree were completed.

She also stated that the tree was at risk of failure due to the angle of the main stem and the resultant strain this angle of growth presents.

Her partner, Jonathan Clay, addressed the planning board at a meeting on Monday.

He said: “We disagree that the tree provides a strong visual amenity - it can’t be seen from Chigwell Road. On close inspection, it is deeply unattractive. It’s lost lots of limbs, it’s very lopsided. The impact on our boundary is very unsightly, and it’s not easily rectified without a great deal of cost.”

He added the school and the occupants of 13 Chigwell Road were “keen for it to be removed due to the safety fears.”

“Tree surgeons came to visit the property and gave thorough assessments. Every single one said it was not a question of if the tree would fall but when it would fall.

“Our prime concern is one of safety. We feel our young daughter is unable to use the premises, we don’t like her in the garden because of the tree. It also backs onto the school. The safety of children and the people who use the site is the prime consideration and overrides any other consideration.”

He also raised concerns that the TPO was not placed on the tree until after the request was made to remove it.

The arboricultural officer said his colleague's site visit was “sufficient” and no evidence had been found that the tree was dangerous.

Cllr Lynda Price said the tree “shouldn’t be written off because of its kink”, and it made a “contribution to the area”.

Chairman of the board, Cllr David Kelsey, asked the officer to confirm that it is “impossible to put a blanket TPO on every tree in the borough”, which is why the TPO was only placed following the application to remove the tree.