A BID to save beautiful trees at a much-loved beauty spot between Stroud and Stonehouse is being considered tonight, Tuesday.

Stroud district councillors are due to consider plans for a tree preservation order (TPO) at Verney Fields, Stonehouse.

These orders make it an offence to fell, prune, uproot or wilfully damage a tree without the council’s permission.

The land covers part of the western slope of Doverow Hill and is just to the north-east of the town’s railway station. 

The site is well used with several public rights of way across the site and the more elevated parts of the site providing far reaching views. 

Until recently the land was a mixture of low use grazing, scrub, and secondary young woodland with prominent scattered trees around the site.

But after a change of ownership, the council has applied to protect the woodland.

Officers say the trees there as they contribute positively and significantly to public amenity, landscape and ecology in the vicinity and beyond.

Some 26 people wrote in favour of the TPO but there were also three objections. 

The objectors say it “fails to effectively indicate where the specific trees of interest are or give reference to the number of trees and species contained within “said groups”. 

They also say the TPO map is vague and includes areas of land in which there are no trees present. 

They also say the confirmation of the TPO would prevent the landowners from using the protected trees for produce such as maple syrup, acorn related produce, and prevent unrestricted tree and woodland “maintenance”.

Stroud resident Chas Townley, of the Open Spaces Society, said the area is a beautiful and tranquil place with fabulous trees which have been disrupted.

 “Verney Fields has been used for extensive public access for at least 80 years by residents in Stonehouse. 

“The Open Spaces Society continues to support the town council's application for Town Green status and the recording of the long-standing rights of way across the land. 

“The TPO is an important part of providing comprehensive protection to this area.”

SDC's development control committee is due to consider the scheme tonight, Tuesday.