Save the Sequoia - pleas to retain tree as part of proposed development - "This Wellingtonia tree is an exceptional green asset. It is capable of surviving long into the future. To destroy it would be a short-sighted and cynical act of extreme environmental vandalism."

The planning application reads: " Erection of ten houses with associated garden and parking areas  Land 50M North Of The Hermitage St Olaf Manor Cawdor Road Nairn."

Nairn River Community Council are not against the development but want the Sequoia retained. They state in their submission:

"As a Community Council we tend to lean towards supporting this application, but we cannot do so if it means the Giant Sequoia is to be removed, especially where we can see that a very small re-design to the layout would avoid any need for it to be removed. We also consider that the site is in danger of over-development with ten proposed houses and it is this over-development that is forcing the removal of these long-established trees that have high landscape value. If a redesign of the layout allowed for the retention of the Giant Sequoia, it could be argued that our objection would be superseded."

There are two comments on the behalf of the Friends and Families of current residents of The Manor Care Home which read:

"On behalf of the Friends and Relatives of current residents of The Manor, we also want to object to the loss of visual amenity and the likely loss of wildlife. Many of the residents gain a great deal from being able to look at the beauty of the trees on the site and often watch the wildlife which is present on the site. Much of this will be lost and will therefore impact on these vulnerable adults' opportunity to enjoy the natural environment of the site."

"I am writing on behalf of the Friends and Families of current residents of The Manor Care Home. We feel very strongly about the likely impact on the very vulnerable adults who already live on the site, specifically as the result of increased traffic flow on the site. All vehicles will have to drive alongside the current buildings. Many of the residents use this area for walking and often are not fully aware of traffic around them. There will also be an impact on the privacy of the residents whose rooms overlook the road. We strongly request further consideration is given to taking traffic to the Fit Homes round the back of the site instead."

Other comments read:

"I object to the proposed removal of trees from this site which are listed as High Quality (Cat A) or good/Moderate Quality (Cat B) in the Arboricultural Assessment. The proposals envisage that 40 of the 116 trees on the site (that is 35% of the total), plus untagged trees, will all be removed. The species include Scots Pine, Wych Elm and others, all of which taken together constitute a significant environmental and "green" asset.

In particular I object in the strongest possible terms to the proposed removal of the Cat A Wellingtonia (Giant Sequoia) . This healthy and impressive specimen is uniquely valuable. It is part of the area's environmental heritage, and a major feature.

A previous nearby planning proposal in 2005 (Rhuallan) was refused on the grounds that the removal of another Giant Sequoia there was unacceptable. This is therefore a directly relevant precedent, and the same considerations apply. Any development-planning consent for this site should enable, and require, the retention of the Wellingtonia and other good-quality mature trees. 

The removal of this "veteran" tree and other mature trees in the area would also be directly contrary to Section 147 of Scottish Planning Policy 3 as reflected in the Highland Council's own Supplementary Guidance on Trees Woodlands And Development adopted in January 2013.

In these days of increasing awareness of the importance of long-term, sustainable strategies for the protection of the natural environment for future generations, the local planning authority has a particular responsibility to set an example of good stewardship. 

This Wellingtonia tree is an exceptional green asset. It is capable of surviving long into the future. To destroy it is not only inconsistent with current government and Council policy. It would be a short-sighted and cynical act of extreme environmental vandalism.

I object to the proposed removal of trees from this site which are listed as High Quality (Cat A) or good/Moderate Quality (Cat B) in the Arboricultural Assessment. The proposals envisage that 40 of the 116 trees on the site (that is 35% of the total), plus untagged trees, will all be removed. The species include Scots Pine, Wych Elm and others, all of which taken together constitute a significant environmental and "green" asset.

In particular I object in the strongest possible terms to the proposed removal of the Cat A Wellingtonia (Giant Sequoia) . This healthy and impressive specimen is uniquely valuable. It is part of the area's environmental heritage, and a major feature.

A previous nearby planning proposal in 2005 (Rhuallan) was refused on the grounds that the removal of another Giant Sequoia there was unacceptable. This is therefore a directly relevant precedent, and the same considerations apply. Any development-planning consent for this site should enable, and require, the retention of the Wellingtonia and other good-quality mature trees. 

In these days of increasing awareness of the importance of long-term, sustainable strategies for the protection of the natural environment for future generations, the local planning authority has a particular responsibility to set an example of good stewardship.

This Wellingtonia tree is an exceptional green asset. It is capable of surviving long into the future. To destroy it would be a short-sighted and cynical act of extreme environmental vandalism." 

"I have examined the plans and I know the site well. I wish to object strongly to this development at this location for reasons I have spelt out below. 

Under the Scottish Government Planning Policy & principle 194 the planning system should "Protect and enhance ancient semi-natural woodland as an important and irreplaceable resource, together with other native or long-established woods, hedgerows and INDIVIDUAL trees with high nature conservation or landscape value.

The 'Scottish Natural Heritage' website 'Nature.Scot' - a site that provides professional advice for planning and development, states "......even single trees - chiefly veteran trees - may also have biodiversity value and add to landscape character and quality. These should also be protected from adverse impacts caused by development.

"The application includes the removal of a Giant Sequoia along with many other types of trees. The Giant Sequoia and the Sycamore are both graded in the Arboricultural Impact Assessment( provided by the applicant) as BS Category A. The large Wellingtonia (Giant Sequoia T2152) is a very impressive and prominent tree on the site and is one of few examples in the Town. 

If the Giant Sequoia has to be removed to allow this deveopment to go ahead it means that the site is being over-developed. A very small re-design to the layout of these houses would avoid any need for it to be removed.

An application at Rhuallan which is located not far to the South of this site reference number 05/00073/FUL that also required the removalof a Giant Sequoia, that application was refused. The Sequoia in Rhuallan then was 25m and this one under threat today is 27m.

On the 12th of June 2018 at the SPAC meeting in the Council Chamber Highland COuncil Principal Planning Officr Ken McCorquodale stated, while presenting the case on planning references (17/05059/LBC and 17/05060/FUL) for housing in Inverness, that "mature trees.... from well within the property are important to retain as they add much character and value to the area". Following that precedent then presumably the same principles apply to trees in Nairn, particularly since at this site the mature trees, includes this 'landmark' Giant Sequoia. Any inconsistency of planning decisions on this topic begs the question of whether planners consider Nairns' natural environment and heritage to be of lesser importance than that of Inverness. 

This tree is a fantastic addition to the area and we must remember that this is "about what type of sky-line we bequeath to future generations in this town."

"As a resident of the area covered by Nairn River Community Council I wish to fully support their comments on this application.

Yes build on the site but in such a way as to preserve the magnificent Sequoia for future generations."

"I object in the strongest possible terms to the removal of so many trees to facilitate this development, particularly the Giant Sequoia and the other class A trees. We are privileged to have such specimens in our town, and they must be retained. There are few enough such wonderful examples in this area.

The Cawdor Road area has lost many wonderful trees over the last period, we cannot be expected to tolerate more losses to the Heritage that we leave to our future generations."

We would urge any readers that agree with these comments to also submit their thoughts to this application on the Highland Council e-planning pages here 

Gordons Saw Mill also object to the development given that it is so close to their premises and would lead to noise complaints. There is also an objection from the Highland Council's Environmental Health Department.