Cemetery trees 'obstacle' to aircraft to be cut down

Council officers will now issue a licence for the works at South Stoneham Cemetery

A council has given an airport the green light to chop down 19 trees in a cemetery.

Southampton Airport was seeking a licence to fell the trees in South Stoneham Cemetery, which it said were an "obstacle to departing and arriving aircraft".

Southampton City Council's cabinet has now granted permission, with members saying they had not taken the decision "lightly".

But Angela Cotton, of Transition Southampton, said it appeared economic development was taking precedence over other considerations.

Officers will now issue a licence for the works, which include cutting back a further 10 trees, alongside agreeing an extended tree management plan.

The proposal attracted opposition from environmental groups and residents who live near the cemetery.

Ms Cotton said they objected to the felling of "healthy mature trees in a sacred space".

She said: "We have many concerns about these two decisions and we request that both issues are deferred so that all parties can make a proper appraisal and identify whether there is another solution that would satisfy the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) without destroying our precious green spaces."

Five of the trees in South Stoneham Cemetery which Southampton Airport wants to fell

The airport has proposed a mitigation package including four-to-one tree replacement, an urban wildflower meadow, and refurbishment of the cemetery chapel.

Managing director Gavin Williams said the sensitivity of the surrounding area and proposed work was fully recognised.

He said the trees at the cemetery currently meant weight restrictions were placed on aircraft, which was preventing the airport from being "competitive or viable" to operate.

"This is about unlocking substantial economic benefits and employment for the region, paving the way for new routes and opportunities for the central south," he said.

Councillor Sarah Bogle said it had not been an "easy decision", and had involved balancing economic and environmental factors.

"Trees are very important to the city. We are proud of our green city policies," she said.

"This is about balancing these arguments and, on balance, we think having a viable regional airport is actually something in our economic interest as a city and a region and is a positive in terms of investment."