A COUNCIL’S attempt to protect a tree causing cracks to appear in a Malvern home has been thwarted.

Malvern Hills District Council wanted to place a permanent tree preservation order (TPO) on a Norway spruce in the front garden of a house in Hornyold Road.

But the owners of the property said the tree could cause “irreparable damage” to their home if left to grow.

Homeowner Anthony Hall told a meeting of the council’s southern area planning committee on Wednesday (November 20): “We don’t dislike our tree, but its size and position is damaging and devaluing our home.

“Last year, cracks previously repaired reopened in the property. The driveway became uneven, damaging our vehicles. We asked contractors to quote - all refused, due to obvious roots under the surface of the drive.

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“Their conclusion - the tree must be removed. Our subsequent application for its removal was refused.

“Regarding the tree officer’s report, he states ‘the tree has every potential to grow to full size’.

“Already 25 metres tall, this tree can reach 40 metres at maturity and has the potential to cause irreparable damage to our home.”

Councillors were split - many sympathised with Mr Hall while others sided with the authority’s tree officer.

Cllr John Raine said: “This is in my ward and it’s a serious problem. I would guess this house is unsaleable, certainly unmortagable because of the cracks.

“I don’t know whether the tree needs to come down or not but certainly the roots are too close to this property. This is someone’s home and this is a very worrying state of affairs.”

Cllr Kwai Hung Chan said both external and internal damage are visible at the property, and said he sympathises with the homeowner.

But Cllr Paul Bennett said: “Maybe the owners are right, eventually it will grow to a stage where it might need some work on it but at the moment it doesn’t and I completely agree with the tree officer’s diagnosis.”

Cllr Christine Wild said: “I’m very much in favour of trees but this is a tree in the wrong place. It’s grown out of control.”

The committee voted not to turn the current temporary TPO into a permanent one.