Man wins right to fell troublesome tree

The elm tree in Church St, Mosgiel.
The elm tree in Church St, Mosgiel.
A Mosgiel man has won a battle to cut down a ''monster tree'' in his backyard despite Dunedin City Council staff saying it should stay.

Church St resident Martin Dillon, who made a case for the 40m-45m English elm to get the chop at a council hearings committee earlier this month, was ''delighted'' with the decision.

The fate of the tree, which is on the council's schedule of significant trees, had previously split opinion.

Council staff and three members of the public argued it should stay, with one describing it as a ''magnificent specimen of its type''.

Mr Dillon said ''common sense'' had prevailed, with the tree being much too large for a residential area.

''It's a tree for a park,'' he said.

In his decision, hearing commissioner Allan Cubbitt agreed with Mr Dillon.

''There is no argument that the tree is a large, healthy specimen that contributes positively to the broader amenity values of the subject neighbourhood.

''However, I accept Mr Dillon's argument that the tree has outgrown their property,'' Mr Cubbitt said.

vaughan.elder@odt.co.nz

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