The protected London Plane tree in the car park at Wells Little Theatre is to be removed after Somerset Council granted permission and investigations carried out on behalf of the theatre’s insurers concluded it was the most appropriate course of action.
The theatre said the decision followed several years of investigations, professional advice, maintenance work and discussions aimed at preserving the tree while addressing concerns over roots found beneath paving at a neighbouring property and within nearby drainage infrastructure.
According to the theatre, regular pruning and maintenance were carried out and a range of alternatives to felling were considered. However, it said the underlying issues remained and the risk of further damage continued.
Because the tree is protected by a Tree Preservation Order, the theatre was required to apply to Somerset Council before any work could take place. The council subsequently granted consent for the tree to be felled to prevent further root damage to drains.
The theatre said it also sought advice from its insurers, who commissioned specialist soil testing and an arboricultural assessment before recommending the tree’s removal to reduce the risk of further damage and potential future liabilities.
A spokesperson for Wells Little Theatre said: “This is one of the most difficult decisions the theatre has had to make. The London Plane tree has been a beautiful and much-loved feature of the theatre for many years and has become part of the landscape of Wells. We know many people will be saddened by its removal, and we share those feelings ourselves.
“Over a number of years we have sought professional advice, undertaken investigations, regularly maintained and pruned the tree and considered alternatives to removal. Unfortunately, none of those measures addressed the underlying problems, and after several years of research and discussions, the trustees have concluded that removal, in accordance with the insurers’ advice, is now the responsible course of action.”
The theatre said maintaining good relationships with neighbours and the wider community had been an important consideration throughout the process.
The spokesperson added: “We have always tried to be a good neighbour and to balance the interests of everyone affected. The trustees must also take account of professional advice, the risk of further damage and their responsibility to protect the charity and its resources. This has never been about taking the easiest option. It has been about taking a responsible and proportionate decision after careful consideration of the available options.
“While we have to say goodbye to the tree itself, we hope its story doesn’t end here. We are exploring ways to reuse the timber to create a lasting feature within the theatre, allowing part of this much-loved tree to remain at the heart of Wells Little Theatre for many years to come.
“We know not everyone will agree with this decision, but we hope people will understand that it has been made with genuine sadness, after years of careful thought, expert advice and consideration of the alternatives available to us.”
There is local objection to the felling, and neighbours of the Little Theatre have raised concerns with both the theatre and the council regarding the tree. We have asked both the Little Theatre and the council for comment, and will update this story as it develops.