Six trees on the edge of a Ranmoor Conservation area have been given legal protection after it was feared they would be felled.

Council officers visited the site in Stratford Road in October after some of the trees had already been felled or had limbs removed, it was heard at a meeting of Sheffield City Council’s Planning and Highways Committee on 2 April. 

Vanessa Lyons, the Sheffield tree protection officer, attended the meeting asking for the confirmed protection of the tree preservation order.

She highlighted their importance, especially in terms of amenity, emphasising that it would be “expedient in the interest of amenity to make the trees subject to a TPO”.

When Miss Lyons first visited the site she and tree surgeons who were also on site realised that all the trees between the boundaries of Tom Lane and Carsick Hill crescent, 16 in total, were intended for removal.

Following their visit, the team determined that six trees from the site were in a suitable condition to be subject for a tree preservation order. 

Councillors unanimously voted to approve the order. 

Despite this there have still been some who have still criticised the council for having a lack of care for urban trees in sheffield.

Member of STAG and founding and major partner of the Sheffield Street Tree Partnership, Christine King, said: “. I am seeing little sign that councillors overall see urban trees as a valuable asset.

“We’re dedicated to making sure that our urban street trees are valued, cared for, and that our street tree stock is enhanced.”

She said she was concerned that some councillors seemed preoccupied with trees blocking out light to houses, rather than the benefits they bring. 

She also highlighted the positive impacts of these trees including improving air quality in urban areas, decreasing the urban heat island effect and potential to reduce people’s heating bills by slowing wind speeds. 

Christine said her organisation was “ dedicated to making sure that our urban street trees are valued, cared for, and that our street tree stock is enhanced”.