Pub boss 'fuming' after tree felled without warning

A pub manager says he is "absolutely fuming" after a large tree was removed without warning near its land.

Michael Masters, of the Barley Mow Inn in Witnesham, Suffolk, said he arrived at the pub on Monday morning to find workers trimming back several trees to make room for a pathway to the new housing estate behind.

However he said they then decided to completely remove all the trees, including some on what he says was the pub's land, which he felt had "ruined" the area.

Denbury Homes said the work was carried out as part of approved planning permission and it understood the trees were on land belonging to Suffolk County Council.

Masters said a large tree on the kerb of Mow Hill had been removed, which he believed was on the pub's land.

Other smaller ones had also been removed but were not on his land, he said.

"We've come down and they've cut half the tree [off] and now it's got to come down, because at the end of the day you can't leave a tree looking like that," he said.

Masters said the pub was aware of the new path being built and had given permission for it, but was not aware they would completely remove the large tree.

He said the Witten Meadow housing development was now going to be on show and it also meant his chickens in that area would no longer have any shade.

"It has changed the look of the village," he continued. "I don't know how old that tree was, but it was a lovely tree.

"When we came out [on Monday] morning and seen that they've stripped it all up one side so all the branches were handing off on one side, and then said that they were cutting the whole lot off, I said that was the first we knew about it."

A spokesperson for Denbury Homes said it had carried out the work as part of a planning application that had been approved by East Suffolk Council.

They said the work was also signed off by the county council.

"In order for this to be achieved safely some trees and vegetation need to be taken out," they added.

"We understood that all trees to be removed were on land belonging to the county council.

"We are aware that concerns have now been raised by Mr Masters so are investigating and have tried to contact him to discuss further."

Suffolk County Council and East Suffolk Council were approached for comment.

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