Spare those trees implore Rustington villagers

A planning application to remove the trees '“ in Ash Lane '“ was submitted to Arun council by housing company Wesford Homes with what appears to be a view to developing the site behind them, although no full plans have yet been lodged with the council.

The trees are at the bottom of Dr Walsh's drive and removing them would clear the way for a wider access drive to the land behind.

When the plan was first lodged in January, a Tree Preservation Order was put on them by Arun following concerns from neighbours.

The council has yet to make a decision on them.

Philippa Bower, Arun councillor for Rustington East and secretary of the council's biodiversity forum, is one of those protesting against the plans.

She said: "I would like to implore Dr Walsh not to destroy the two magnificent oak trees at the bottom of his drive.

"Although these oak trees are within the boundary of his land they are part of the heritage of the village and an important addition to the landscape of Rustington as one approaches down Ash Lane.

"If these trees are destroyed in order to develop his property into flats I feel this is an inappropriate gesture from one who has always purported to serve the area."

Another concerned Rustington resident, Gail Cusden, lives near the trees in Ash Lane. She said: "A lot of people come down that street into Rustington and take the trees for granted. They are beautiful and set in the heart of Rustington.

"If they are gone and the land is developed into flats, it will be a real shame.

"I live in a Victorian cottage in Ash Lane and I've heard that our house is part of phase two of the development and we're next.

"When I spoke to Arun's planning department they said they couldn't consider the whole plan for the development because no complete plans have been lodged and so they are just considering the trees."

Dr Walsh, Arun District and Littlehampton town councillor for Littlehampton's Beach ward and West Sussex county councillor for Littlehampton East, has planted a number of trees in Ash Lane, but not the two in question, which he said were there when he bought the house.

He said: "I have been made an offer for my house by Wesford Homes and it's they who are pursuing the planning application.

"I've been here for 33 years, the family have all grown up and left and it's time to move on."

A spokesperson for Wesford Homes, Gary Bashford, would neither confirm nor deny whether a development is planned for the site.

He said: "There's going to be a lot of animosity down there and I don't wish to fuel it.

"There's nothing I can tell you at this stage."