The mystery over an application to cut down part of a protected tree that led to confusion in a quiet cul-de-sac has been unravelled.
The bid to get permission to trim off three metres from a large oak in Turner Close, Bradwell, prompted an accusation by the resident who owned the tree that it had been made "fraudulently".
They said it had been lodged in their name without them having any knowledge of it, and argued the tree was healthy and should be left alone.
The homeowner said: "Someone seems to be fraudulently using my name to work on the tree on my property.
"This is not the first time that this has happened. I do not wish for this work to go ahead."
It left some members of the small community puzzled but the cause of the incident has now been revealed.
According to Amanda Cover, who lives at the neighbouring property, a council error meant that the wrong name was put on the application.
She said: "It was a mix-up with the planning application which had the wrong name and address on it.
"It wasn't made fraudulently and the council soon rectified the mistake."
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While the error may have caused a bit of commotion among neighbours, the tree, which has been protected since the 1980s, remains unscathed despite the request to reduce its canopy.
After reviewing the application, GYBC's tree officer urged the authority to reject the work, claiming it would have damaged the health of the tree and would have left large pruning wounds.
The official worried cutting too much off the canopy may have led to the tree's "overall demise."
Protected trees can often lead to disputes among neighbours, with homeowners tussling over whether or not a tree should be cut down.
While some people may find falling debris a nuisance or become frustrated that the dense foliage blocks their sunlight, others cherish their natural beauty and importance to wildlife.
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