A LOCAL authority looks set to confirm a protection order on trees within the grounds of a Wrexham primary school despite concerns they pose a risk to children’s safety.
The headteacher of St Anne’s Roman Catholic Primary School wanted the trees removed as their roots were severely damaging the surface of its playground.
Claire Priest-Jones said it posed a trip hazard and had led to netball games and other after school activities being cancelled.
However, officers from Wrexham Council have recommended that a preservation order on five trees inside the grounds of the school on Prince Charles Road in the town should be confirmed without changes.
Politicians are set to discuss the proposals at a meeting next week.
In a report, the council’s chief planning officer said the headteacher’s claims were not disputed, but that the trees were of ‘significant value’.
The authority has collectively valued them as having a monetary worth of around £70,000.
Lawrence Isted said: “The trees were to be removed as an adjacent section of the playground is to be repaired due to ‘severe damage’.
“The surface of the playground does not allow the children to play safely and a number of netball matches and after-school activities have been cancelled.
“The school states that the children have a need and a right to an appropriate safe play area in which to play, socialise and compete.
“The trees themselves are inspected by the council on a regular cyclical basis and an e-mail between the senior tree officer and building surveyor on 21 January 2019 states that the trees are free of defects and the that the council has no plans to fell the trees.”
He added: “It should be noted that the council does not dispute the allegation that the trees may be exerting a level of influence upon the hard surface which may subsequently raise health and safety concerns however, for trees of such significant value the council seeks to ensure that all solutions are investigated and discussed.
“To date, the council has received no applications from the school for work on the trees and is not aware of any evidence being provided by the school indicating that options are being explored or that any site investigations have been undertaken.”
The school has re-iterated that it is an environmentally friendly
establishment which has been awarded Green Flag status.
But while Mrs Priest Jones said it was reluctant to fell trees, it had every intention of replacing them.
The preservation order will be discussed by the council’s planning committee at a meeting on Tuesday, 7 May.
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