Hampshire County Council • 26/00364/DDTPO
Two TPO-protected dead oak trees approved for removal near New Forest
Sandys 5 Whinwhistle Road East Wellow Romsey Hampshire SO51 6BN
A property owner in East Wellow has received permission to remove two oak trees with formal legal protection, both reported to be dead or in advanced decay.
- Status
- approved
- Type
- other
- Received
- 2026-02-23
- Consultation ends
- 2026-02-27
Summary
Two oak trees at a property on Whinwhistle Road are covered by Tree Preservation Order TPO.TVBC.496, meaning they cannot normally be cut down without council approval. The owner applied to remove both, stating one is dead and diseased and the other is in an advanced stage of disease and decay. The council has approved the application. The property sits close to The New Forest, one of England's most important wild areas. Both a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) are within a few minutes' walk. Around 134 homes and buildings are also nearby. Dead and decaying trees can become unstable and fall, which is a genuine safety concern. At the same time, dead wood is valuable habitat for insects, fungi, and birds — so its removal does carry some ecological cost.
What you can do
This application has already been approved by Test Valley Borough Council. If you believe the trees were not properly assessed, or have concerns about compliance with the approval conditions, contact the council's tree officer quoting reference 26/00364/DDTPO.