Council orders protection for ‘high value’ Laurel Hill trees

COUNCILLORS have agreed to permanently protect mature trees surrounding the parochial house in Coleraine’s Laurel Hill area.

The recommendation to approve a Tree Protection Order (TPO) for the Chaplefields site was placed before Causeway Coast and Glens Planning Committee last week.

The grounds of the parochial house, associated with nearby St. John’s Church, contains 45 mature that are considered by planning officers as “worthy and suitable” for TPO protection.

“These trees have high public amenity value, being in a prominent location along Laurel Hill Road and contribute to the character of the wider area,” stated a report delivered to the committee on Wednesday.

Although there are currently no plans for development, planners suggested the trees were protected because the site is zoned for housing under the Northern Area Plan.

Read the full story in this week's Chronicle