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Neighbour wants answers over club's fallen tree

Rachael Lewis
BBC Radio WM
Listen on BBC Sounds: Peter Scarrott says there is no sign of the fallen tree being moved

An 80-year-old man from Wolverhampton says he has been left depressed by a large fallen tree which has been in his garden for the past four months.

The Corsican pine fell from Old Wulfrunians Sports Club into Peter Scarrott's garden next door during Storm Darragh on 7 December but the club is yet to remove it.

"I can't get into my garden," said Mr Scarrott. "There is a tree, there is debris all over the place. The grass is starting to grow now - how on earth am I going to get that cut? It's just horrendous."

Negotiations were still ongoing with insurers, said a spokesperson for Old Wulfrunians Club Ltd and Old Wulfrunians Association Ltd.

Mr Scarrott said he felt let down by the club, which he was once part of, and that the ordeal was causing him unnecessary stress.

With spring starting and warmer weather approaching, he said he wanted to be able to use his whole garden.

A picture of the fallen tree. The large roots are visible out of the ground. Underneath the tree is a wooden fence that has been crushed, and a tilting yellow and red and yellow safety barrier and red and white traffic cone lying on the ground. There are other trees in the background.
The Corsican pine tree fell down during Storm Darragh on 7 December

"Obviously I've tried to get the Old Wulfrunians to remove the tree but up until now it's still here," he said.

"I can't access my garden. Underneath [the tree] I've got double gates but they are just crushed firewood.

"I don't know what to say really, it's just really getting to me."

Mr Scarrott told BBC Radio WM the club spoke to him about the tree in the days after the storm.

But he said he had heard nothing since 7 January when the club told him it was in contact with its insurer.

An elderly man with short white hair, wearing a blue and white checked shirt and navy blue trousers, is sad on some wooden debris alongside the tree looking at it.
The huge tree crushed Mr Scarrott's gates and fence

He added: "I can't understand what's taking five months, it's a tree!

"If a 50-tonne tree fell into your garden and was there five months later, you would feel the same way as me."

Mr Scarrott explained he wanted the club to communicate with him and safely move the tree from his land.

The spokesperson for Old Wulfrunians Club Ltd and Old Wulfrunians Association Ltd said they were trying to find a solution.

"We are still in discussions and negotiations with our insurers. We are trying to resolve the matter and will remove the fallen tree as soon as possible," they added.

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