A licence has been approved to allow the removal of 30 trees which border properties on Wybourn Drive in Onchan.

The application was made after some residents complained that trees were casting shade on their gardens and they also cited safety issues.

The licence (776/20) approved the removal of 14 sycamore, 10 lime, four beech, one elm and one alder.

It sparked a debate on social media with many asking why the trees should be felled.

Ian Bradshaw, of Wybourn Drive, said: ’It’s been an ongoing situation for a good 20 years.

’When we first moved in back in 1972 we had the trees and we expected them to grow but when they did branches started falling off.’

He explained that around 15 years ago the government agreed the trees were shedding branches too quickly, so decided to cut down five trees and plant 13 more trees that ’wouldn’t grow as high’.

’They planted the trees but they didn’t take the five trees because they didn’t have the money, so that’s made the problem worse,’ said the 77-year-old.

’At one time we could see through into the fields at the back of Government House no problem at all, now you can’t.’

He continued: ’There’s been no management in that area for many years and we’ve complained they’re getting dangerous for residents.

’I’ve always said I don’t want them to fell trees unnecessarily because it’s nice to see a lot of greenery but now that it’s becoming dangerous they do need thinning out because they’re actually growing taller and not spreading out as they should be doing.’

Onchan MHK Rob Callister has supported this proposal and was the one to ask for a survey of the trees.

He said: ’I’m happy to support the residents in this.

’The canopies are thick and the trees are grouped together and DEFA and DoI have carried out a survey of the whole area and they’ve actually said which trees should and shouldn’t come down.

’This isn’t something that’s suddenly come around in my tenure, previous MHKs have also tried to introduce this plan on behalf of residents.’

Julie Edge, also an Onchan MHK, was ’surprised’ at the decision as when she was part of the DoI there was reluctance to fell any of the trees.

She said: ’I feel for the future there should be wider consultation and any tree felling should be subject to public notification.’

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture has said: ’Complaints have been ongoing for several years and led to meetings involving Onchan Commissioners, local MHKs, property managers and Government House staff.

’None of the trees were considered to be significant specimens, the proposed tree removal would have little impact on the total canopy cover across the estate and would not affect the integrity of adjacent woodland. The trees have a low public amenity value as they are only really visible to the homeowners and the application did not include any trees in the formal lime avenue which borders the western end of the estate.’