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Villagers fear sycamore tree being axed for homes

Nathan Turvey,in Cumberworthand
David Spereall,Yorkshire
News imageBBC A leafless sycamore tree stands alone in the middle of an otherwise empty field in thick mist.BBC
The tree has stood in the middle of the proposed building site in Cumberworth for generations

Residents are against plans for new homes that could result in the loss of a beloved sycamore tree.

The tree, in the village of Upper Cumberworth, near Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, has stood for generations but is at risk of being cut down if proposals to build 120 homes on the site by housing company Vivly Living are approved.

Villagers met at a local church earlier to discuss their opposition to the proposal.

Vivly said it had amended its application to alleviate residents' fears and said its development would be "sympathetic to the local environment". However, planning documents described retaining the tree as "impractical" due to the works.

Joan Woodall, 84, said she would be "really, really upset" if both the tree and the land around it was lost to housing.

"It's a landmark isn't it?" Woodall, who has lived in the area her whole life, said.

"It's beautiful. We do need housing, but this field is fertile agricultural farmland and for that reason on its own, we should not be building on it.

"I've ploughed on the land myself. It would be sacrilege. There must be another area of rough land (to build on)."

News imageA woman in her eighties stands with an umbrella in hand against the backdrop of a misty field. She is looking away from the camera and wearing a pink coat.
Lifelong village resident Joan Woodall described the tree as a landmark

Marcus Hodge, from the Cumberworth Environmental Action Group, said: "The sycamore tree has become the focus for the group, but it's not just about the tree, it's the whole area.

"There is designated ancient woodland at the bottom, which dates back to the 1600s. There shouldn't be anything built anywhere near it.

"The village doesn't need it (the housing). There are no doctors appointments, no dentists appointments and the schools can't cope with it."

George Butterfield, from Vivly, said: "We have worked closely with the residents of the village through conversations and a public consultation.

"Once the public consultation was over, we liaised with villagers to amend our plans to alleviate their fears.

"It is very important to emphasise that our development will be sympathetic to the local environment, with the design of our sustainable homes reflecting the surrounding architecture."

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