Campaign group could return to court over trees

Campaigners want the trees on London Road in Wellingborough to be saved

A campaign group said it was prepared to return to court about the future felling of an avenue of ancient trees.

Sixteen of about 50 lime trees on The Walks in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire were cut down as part of the Stanton Cross development.

Earlier this year a High Court judge ruled the work should not have taken place after action was taken by the Wellingborough Walks Action Group.

North Northamptonshire Council said it "recognised the public interest" in the case and continued "to liaise with the applicant". The developer has been contacted for comment.

The Wellingborough Walks Action Group celebrated the High Court decision earlier this year

In May, Deputy High Court Judge Dan Kolinsky KC said the developer should have submitted a fresh application for the felling of the trees rather than relied on applications approved by the previous authority, the Borough Council of Wellingborough.

The developer Stanton Cross Developments submitted new applications in April this year.

According to the Wellingborough Walks Action Group, there has been "no update" from the council since then, despite more than 500 objections being submitted to the applications.

The row of trees is near the new Stanton Cross development in Wellingborough

The group has called on the council to set a date for the planning applications, to allow residents to address the planning committee, and for any decision to be "fully compliant with the High Court's Judgement".

In a statement the group said it would "once again seek redress through Judicial Review" if it felt the application process had not followed planning law.

The group added it wanted to work with the council and the developer in "a positive manner to find the earliest resolution to this situation".

North Northamptonshire Council leader Jason Smithers said: "We recognise the public interest in this planning application and continue to liaise with the applicant on their submission so it can be considered at our south planning committee.

"As soon as we have a date for when the matter will be heard by the committee, the council will make all interested parties aware.

"We also appreciate the gravity of the judgement of the High Court in April and recognise the importance of adhering to the ruling as part of any decision-making process."