Couple angry after tree removal stopped by council

Kathy and John Garcia said they want a tree removed to make their home more accessible

A woman with a rare degenerative disease has said she is angry a council halted the removal of a tree stopping her from making her home fully accessible.

Kathy and John Garcia hoped to build a ramp and flat space outside their bungalow in Winnersh, Berkshire, to accommodate an electric wheelchair.

They said they needed to remove an oak tree at the end of their drive, but Wokingham Borough Council halted their plans by making a Tree Protection Order (TPO).

The council has declined to comment on the case.

The couple said when they initially enquired about removing the tree they were given the green light by the council.

But they said work on felling it was halted half-way through and the local authority said it must stay, applying a TPO to what was left.

The pair said they challenged the order, but it was refused by the council.

"It looks ridiculous, there is no public amenity value there," Ms Garcia said.

Work on felling the oak tree was halted half-way through, the couple said

"I can't walk, I've got limited standing, I'm hoisted and I'm cared for 24/7," Ms Garcia said.

"We have to use a manual ramp, which is shorter than what we need."

Ms Garcia said she is forced to travel backwards down the ramp and there have been two occasions when she has "crashed off".

She said it had taken some of her independence as she is unable to put the ramp out herself and always needs someone with her when leaving the house.

The couple said they had tried to explain their situation to the local authority

The BBC has seen council emails that state that in May this year officers from the local authority were still trying to confirm whether the tree belonged to it.

Mr Garcia said: "It's very upsetting to be honest."

He said they have sent reports and pictures to the council and explained why they needed the tree removed.

"They're just reluctant to help," he said.