Tree replacement approved in Cwmbran after pavement lifted

A protected tree is to be replaced with a more “suitable species” after its roots cracked through the pavement of a residential street.   ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Housing association Melin Homes asked for permission to chop down the London Plane tree in the front garden of 113 Gifford Close in Cwmbran.  ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Torfaen Borough Council planning officer Tom Braithwaite wrote in his report: “The tree is outgrowing its location and lifting the pavement.” 
The tree will be replaced with a Amelanchier lamarckii, which aren’t native to the UK, and can grow to three metres when fully mature.  ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Torfaen’s tree officer, Phil Grimes, said he was “happy” with the replacement.  ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The London Plane are the most common tree in the English capital and are thought to be a cross between the Oriental plane and the American sycamore – both of which had been introduced to Britain – and can grow to 35 metres and live for hundreds of years. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

By BBC LDRS ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​