A LEADING international zoologist has joined the growing chorus of condemnation of plans to fell a healthy oak tree on Whitcliffe Common.

Pressure is growing on the Friends of Whitcliffe Common who want to fell two trees because they believe that they spoil a view.

Shropshire Wildlife Trust is also under fire after agreeing a compromise that would allow one of the trees to be cut down.

Now Dr George McGavin, a leading zoologist, writer and broadcaster has joined the debate.

He has described the prospect of either of the trees being chopped down as totally indefensible and an act of environmental vandalism.

Dr McGavin has written a strong letter expressing his concerns to the Shropshire Wildlife Trust.

“I am truly dismayed to learn that the Shropshire Wildlife Trust are thinking of felling a healthy oak tree simply on the grounds that someone's view of man-made structures might be impeded.

“There can be no justification for this act of environmental vandalism so please do not send me one.”

The intervention of the international zoologist comes along with the presentation of a petition to Shropshire Wildlife Trust calling for the trees to be retained.

This has been signed by all three elected Ludlow representatives on Shropshire Council, Andy Boddington, Vivienne Parry and Tracey Huffer. It has also been signed by a number of members of Ludlow Town Council.

It has been claimed by The Friends of Whitcliffe Common and Shropshire Wildlife Trust that there has been widespread consultation about the future of the trees.

But this comprised taking note of the responses to the original planning application to remove the trees and a behind-closed-doors meeting.

Now pressure is growing for a wider public consultation or a decision to drop the plans to axe the trees.

The issue surfaced last autumn when the Friends of Whitcliffe Common revealed that they wanted to cut down two young oak trees because they believed that they spoilt an iconic view of Ludlow.

A planning application was approved by planners at Shropshire Council although the authority’s tree experts described the trees as magnificent and worthy of protection orders.

Whitcliffe Common is one of a number of reserves run by the Shropshire Wildlife Trust but day-to-day management is undertaken by The Friends of Whitcliffe Common.

Ludlow Town Council has objected to the plans to remove the trees and opposition to the idea has been growing.

Before Christmas, Shropshire Wildlife Trust convened a behind-closed-doors meeting with the Friends of Whitcliffe Common and as a compromise one of the trees should be cut down.

However, this ‘compromise’ has been heavily criticised as a move that satisfies no-one.

A meeting was taking place between the Wildlife Trust and the Friends of Whitcliffe Common at the time that the Advertiser was going to press.

Shropshire Wildlife Trust has confirmed that any tree-felling will have to be done before March, when the new nesting season starts, or after October.