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Death sentence for trees in Crick near Daventry is lifted

Megan Turner/BBC Eleven residents of Fallowfields in Crick standing in front of treesMegan Turner/BBC
The online petition campaigning against the possible tree felling received 455 signatures

Campaigners who raised a petition to save trees in their village are celebrating a council U-turn.

Villagers in Crick, near Daventry in Northamptonshire, said they were told 16 trees at the Fallowfields development would be felled.

The housebuilder said the local authority was refusing to take responsibility for them.

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has agreed to adopt the 25-year-old trees after all.

While houses are being built on a new housing estate, infrastructure such as roads, street lights and drains are usually the responsibility of the builder.

Once the new homes have been sold, the estate is generally adopted by the local council.

Crick Parish Council said it was told by the developer, David Wilson Homes, that WNC would not be adopting the trees as maintenance would have been too expensive.

Villagers feared the trees would have to be chopped down.

Resident, Sally Vasudeva, started the petition, saying at the time that "everybody is totally outraged".

Megan Turner/BBC Trees in Fallowfields, CrickMegan Turner/BBC
Residents estimated the trees were only 25 years old on the new estate

Another resident, Kevin Merry, said: "When you walk into this estate and see these trees, it's just a wonderful feeling," and he added that the trees were one of the reasons he purchased his property.

'Significant sum'

In a statement, the council said: "West Northamptonshire Council is working closely with the developers to consider and complete the adoption of Highways at Fallowfields.

"This includes the adoption of the highway verge including 16 trees."

David Wilson Homes said that it would finance some of the maintenance.

A spokesman said; "We are delighted the trees at Fallowfields are being adopted and have worked hard with a range of stakeholders to help this, including committing a significant sum towards their upkeep.

"However, it is too soon to provide a clear timescale for their final adoption.

"We are working with all parties to ensure this can take place as soon as possible, and will continue to communicate with residents ahead of any additional works."

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