A HOMEOWNER has accused Bolton Council of double standards after it banned him from chopping down a troublesome tree -- before felling 18 others only yards away.

Stephen Walsh had to pull down his garage when the roots of a large beech tree grew beneath the structure and caused drain damage.

Mr Walsh, aged 42, wanted to rebuild his garage but feared the problem would strike again. So he applied to Bolton Council's planning department for permission to fell the tree, which carried a preservation order, and replant another elsewhere in his garden.

His application was refused and the council asked him to leave the tree and build the garage elsewhere.

Months later, however, the council gave the green light to the felling of 18 trees three doors away to make room for five executive homes.

Mr Walsh, of Chorley New Road, Heaton, said: "The tree is causing damage to my garage and the drains and I want to remove it. If I wanted to rebuild the garage elsewhere I would have to be granted planning permission but, to be honest, I like the garage where it is. It's the tree which is the problem because it is rooting under the garden." Mr Walsh's home is in a conservation area which requires the council to become involved in tree felling matters.

A council spokesman said: "Mr Walsh has appealed and the matter will now be decided by a government inspector. The trees being cut down as part of the new development are not as good quality as the tree Mr Walsh wishes to have removed."