Marlhill Copse plan examined at planning appeal hearing

The airport lodged an appeal after a controversial application to remove more than 100 trees at the 16-acre Marlhill Copse was rejected by the city council.

Speakers at the appeal hearing on Wednesday included Cllr John Savage, a member of the panel that took the decision.

Southampton Airport has appealed after being refused consent to fell trees at Marlhill Copse (Image: Martini archive)

He told government-appointed planning inspector Melvyn Middleton: "The majestic nature of these trees is something really special - it's almost the reason why people go there.

READ MORE: Plan to axe trees at Marlhill Copse rejected by city council

"Replacing them with smaller species would probably take 40 years - that's two generations of Southampton residents who wouldn't be able to enjoy the woodland in the way they can at the moment.

"It would be catastrophic to lose these trees."

Citing an argument put forward by the airport he said: "Doing the woodland a favour by clearing them out of the way is quite monstrous."

Marlhill Copse has been the scene of protests by environmentalists opposed to the felling of trees (Image: PA)

The number of trees at risk remains unclear but objectors say they fear at least 90 could be lost if the appeal succeeds.

Marlhill Copse is an area of ancient deciduous woodland opposite the end of the runway but separated from the airport by the M27 motorway.

Speakers representing the airport cited a woodland management plan that aimed to regenerate the woodland by removing trees that were detrimental to its character.

READ MORE: Southampton Airport in fresh bid to axe Marlhill trees

Under the plan the copse would end up with a greater number of trees and a more diverse range of species, resulting in the creation of new habitats, the hearing was told.

Campaigners have spent years fighting plans to fell trees at Marlhill Copse (Image: Newsquest.)

The airport team said the scheme would boost biodiversity, aid the battle against climate change, and let more light into the woodland.

They described the plan as good forestry management and complained that the council had considered only the short-term impact of the proposed felling.

Trees at risk include Corsican Pine, Monterey Pine, and other coniferous species in an area known as compartment 1a(i).

A document outlining the airport's appeal says: "The immediate impact of the loss of the pine trees will be temporary (8-10 years) and newly replanted trees will form a young woodland. The level of felling proposed is sympathetic and low-key."

The outcome of the hearing will be announced later.

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.

Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.

You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.

Don't just take my word for it - subscribe today.

Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by searching Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents on Facebook Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated group by searching Hampshire Court and Crime News on Facebook.