25 Ash trees are to be felled from woodland in Tenby due to infection.

A Tree Preservation Order (NP/20/0306/TPO) has recommended to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority that the 25 trees along with one Sycamore be felled to ground level in woodland to the east of Butts Field car park.

A planning report that came before the remote meeting of Tenby Town Council on Tuesday night stated: ‘Sadly from simple visual inspection there are several ash trees with losses in their top canopy and one tree that is clearly mostly dead, so the extent of the infection to other ash trees neighbouring is only too logical.

‘The loss of these many trees (adjoining the Conservation Area) raises the question of replacement; self generation is likely to be ash, holly and some oak.The latter are slower and liable to be swamped by the brambles.

‘There is general tree loss in Tenby with few replacements, so there is a case for new planting which has not been done so far where ash are removed, so the prospect is the further loss of a large number of existing ash.

‘There could well be local support in terms of tree donations for a replacement programme or scheme; and some discussion of suitable species and locations would be welcome.’

When discussing the application, in the interests of public health and safety Tenby Town Council offered no objection to the proposal.

During the meeting, further TPOs were discussed, including: NP/20/0307/TPO - one weeping Ash to be removed to ground level, from Sandygate Gardens, The Norton. Again, in the interests of public health and safety, councillors had no objection to this proposal.

A further application (NP/20/0320/TCA) for Conservation Area Tree Works, to remove a Holly tree, from Lexden House, St Julian’s Street, saw councillors also offer no objections.

“Having considered the effects of the root structure of the tree on the adjacent listed wall, and taking account of the potential risk to public safety should this wall fail, Tenby Town Council see no merit in the introduction of a Tree Preservation Order on this tree,” stated the town clerk following the meeting.

Councillors recommendations will be passed onto the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.