THE future of a Hemlock tree has been secured after developers were refused permission to fell it.

Wainhomes had applied for permission to chop the tree down, but the request was refused by Bolton Council's planning committee.

The tree is on land formerly occupied by Brynmoor, a house dubbed the "jewel in the crown of Smithills" before it was controversially demolished last year.

Ahead of planning permission being granted to Wainhomes to build 15 three-storey townhouses on the land in Harpers Lane, Smithills, bulldozers moved in and around 25 trees were felled, infuriating local residents.

The felled trees were not protected, but Bolton Council, acting on a stream of complaints from local people, placed tree protection orders on the remaining trees.

Wainhomes applied for permission to cut down the Hemlock tree, claiming it was causing "excessive shading" to one of the townhouses.

Smithills councillor and member of the planning committee, Roger Hayes, said: "I'm appalled by this. If this was approved it would show that tree protection orders aren't worth anything.

"I have no sympathy with Wainhomes over their predicament. They knew this tree was protected when they produced the designs."

Cllr John Walsh added: "I'm horrified that once again we have a situation where a developer knew from the planning stage that this tree was protected and had scant regard for the protection of this tree.

"The tree provides vital cover the Harpers Lane and we should be protecting it."