Three mature lime trees on Trelawney Road in Falmouth are set to be cut down despite local objections, Cornwall Council has confirmed. The work is provisionally scheduled to begin on 8 December, following delays caused by previous protests.
The council said it is “legally required” to remove the trees and plans to replace them with four new ones. A public meeting will be held before the work to discuss the plans and answer community questions.
Councillor Dan Rogerson, the council’s portfolio holder for transport, urged residents to respect a safety cordon while the removal takes place. He said: “We know that people will be saddened to see the trees taken down. We are legally required to remove the trees, and I urge everyone to respect the cordon and allow the staff to work safely. The team have taken great care selecting the new trees and planting them now means we can give them the best chance possible.”
Campaigners from Stop the Chop have argued that the council is acting unlawfully. Debs Newman, representing the group, said: “As it stands Cornwall Council will be acting unlawfully if they go ahead and fell the trees. Every local authority is now obliged by law to conduct what is known as a duty to consult. They have failed pretty much at every turn to meet the requirements of the legislation.”
The controversy follows an earlier cancellation in March 2025 after police intervention. Rogerson has maintained that the council does not accept its consultation process was legally non-compliant.
The public meeting is scheduled for 18:00 GMT on Wednesday in the Atherton Suite of Falmouth Town Council Offices. Residents will have the opportunity to raise concerns and ask questions before the works proceed.
The replacement of the three lime trees with four new trees is intended to ensure continued greenery in the area while complying with legal obligations. The debate highlights ongoing tensions between local authorities’ operational requirements and community engagement in environmental decisions.
