A government minister says he is ’seeking a disussion on other options’ after plans for 25 elms to be axed sparked a storm of protest.

Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture Geoffrey Boot MHK wants to talk through ’other options which could be considered to help address the access issues at Ballavarvane Farm, St Mark’s’.

On Wednesday, the Manx Wildlife Trust condemned the move - triggering calls for a U-turn and an online petition which attracted thousands of supporters.

The planning application was first reported two weeks ago in the Manx Independent, when local MHK Graham Cregeen complained that the planning notice was hidden and feared that people were unaware of it.

Until 2014, all planning applications had to be advertised by law in newspapers.

After the Manx Wildlife Trust’s comments, MHKs have been inundated with complaints.

’I am not comfortable with the avoidable loss of any trees and therefore I have now approached the applicant to seek a discussion on a range of other options which could be considered to help address the access issues which they have experienced at their property,’ Mr Boot said.

He said he understood the public concern regarding the elm tunnel in St Mark’s.

’I would, however, reassure the community that the current proposals do not threaten the vast majority of the 350 mixed trees which make up the tunnel,’ he added.

’Following intervention by forestry officers, the original planning application was revised, reducing the number of trees being requested for removal from 52 down to 25. I was also relieved and encouraged to note that the applicant agreed to the compensatory planting of over 350 saplings and large trees.’

He said that there were no objections or an appeal to the planning application and that he regretted that he had not been involved in the decision, which was taken by the planning committee.

’Government greatly values the island’s tree population, both for their landscape and biodiversity contribution and for their role in contributing to achieving our net zero emissions target by 2050,’ he added.

’This is why we have planted over 100,000 trees in the last 12 months and take a very proactive stance in trying to protect our unique population of elm trees from Dutch elm disease.’