Green light for potted trees to replace felled maples outside former KFC on Station Road in New Milton

THE go-ahead has been given for three potted trees to replace mature ones controversially felled outside New Milton’s former KFC.

A recent meeting of the town council’s amenities committee saw members back a proposal to install the flowering cherry trees in the footprints left by the cut-down maples on Station Road.

As reported in the A&T, there was outrage among locals after they were chopped down without warning in May.

Following some confusion over ownership, it was established the trees were on privately owned land and not protected by tree preservation orders (TPOs).

The managing agents explained to the town council afterwards that the roots were damaging the pavement on the upper tier walkway.

They also said the parapet wall foundations and drainage and utility services were being affected.

Just weeks later, the fast-food outlet shut down permanently, along with other branches, including Barrack Road in Christchurch, when franchise holder Caskade Caterers went into administration.

The land’s managing agents granted the council permission to install the potted trees, and agreed to donate £500 towards them.

Town council estates and facilities manager Mark Jeffries told the recent amenities meeting ground-planted trees were not possible due to the extent of damage caused to the drains and the pavement.

Set to be installed in the autumn, the remaining £500 cost of the trees in self-watering planters will come from the council’s service level agreement (SLA) budget.

The committee heard three more flowering cherry trees could be planted along Ashley Parade, in line with the council’s two-for-one tree replacement policy.