All local authorities in England must consult with members of the public before felling a tree (or trees) on an urban road (unless the work is exempt under section 96A of the Highways Act).
The need to consult does not apply if:
Proposal: Removal of a tree located in the grass verge outside 60 Tyne Crescent, Bedford.
Considerations of alternative methods to prevent tree removal: The installation of a root barrier has been considered but it was decided that this would not be practical in this case.
Replanting proposal: Proposal to replace the tree with a more suitable species of tree for the location.
Species: Small leafed lime
Number of trees: 1
Date of Notice: 17/11/25
Consultation ends: 16/12/25
Proposal: Removal of a tree located in the grass verge to the side of 27 Birkdale Road, Bedford.
Considerations of alternative methods to prevent tree removal: The installation of a root barrier has been considered but it was decided that this would not be practical in this case.
Replanting proposal: Site not suitable for replacement tree planting.
Species: Cockspur thorn
Number of trees: 1
Date of Notice: 17/11/25
Consultation ends: 16/12/25
Proposal: Removal of a tree outside 6 Pembroke Street, Bedford.
Considerations of alternative methods to prevent tree removal: Footpath repairs have been considered as an alternative to removal but it has been decided this is not practical in this case.
Replanting proposal: Tree to be replaced with a smaller more suitable tree species for the location.
Species: Crab apple
Number of trees: 1
Date of Notice: 11 November 2025
Consultation ends: 10 December 2025
Proposal: Removal of a tree located in the highway verge outside 28 Haylands Way, Bedford.
Considerations of alternative methods to prevent tree removal: A root barrier has been considered as an alternative to tree removal but it has been decided that this is not practical in this case.
Replanting proposal: Tree to be replaced with a smaller more suitable tree species for the location.
Species: Silver maple
Number of trees: 1
Date of Notice: 7 November 2025
Consultation ends: 6 December 2025
Proposal: Removal of tree located in the grass verge to the side of 2 Sunningdale Walk, Bedford.
Considerations of alternative methods to prevent tree removal: Bridging lintels in the foundations have been considered but it was decided that this would not be appropriate in this case.
Replanting proposal: Site not suitable for replacement tree planting.
Species: Flowering cherry
Number of trees: 1
Date of Notice: 6 November 2025
Consultation ends: 5 December 2025
Proposal: Removal of one tree located on the grass verge to the side of 1 Glamis Walk, due to its roots causing damage to the adjacent property. A replacement tree has already been planted at this location; the site is not suitable for another replacement tree.
Consideration of alternative measures to prevent tree removal: Installation of a root barrier.
Number of trees: 1
Species: Purple leafed cherry plum
Date of notice: 29 July 2025
Consultation ends: 26 August 2025
No responses received either for or against the removal of the tree.
Decision: Remove tree.
Root barrier installation has been considered. Not enough gap between the tree and boundary wall to install a root barrier without causing damage to the tree. The tree is already in decline.
Replanting proposal: Site not suitable for replanting.
Proposal: Removal of one tree located on the grass verge to the side of 2 Norfolk Close, due to its roots causing damage to an adjacent property.
Consideration of alternative measures to prevent tree removal: Installation of a root barrier.
Replanting proposal: Replace with a more suitable species of tree further away from any properties.
Number of trees: 1
Species: Alder
Date of notice: 29 July 2025
Consultation ends: 26 August 2025
No responses received either for or against the removal of the tree.
Decision: Remove tree.
Root barrier installation has been considered. The barrier would have to cover the full length of the property, the cost of which would be disproportionate to the removal of the tree.
Replanting proposal: Wild cherry.
Proposal: Removal of one tree located to the side of 1 Cleat Hill due to roots causing damage to the adjacent driveway.
The location is not suitable for replacement tree planting due to the proximity of an overhead power cable.
Consideration of alternative measures to prevent tree removal: Installation of a root barrier
Number of trees: 1
Species: Western Red Cedar
Date of notice: 16 July 2025
Consultation ends: 13 August 2025
No responses received either for or against the removal of the two trees.
Decision: Remove tree.
Root barrier installation has been considered. Not enough gap between the tree and the adjacent property to install a root barrier without causing significant damage to the tree.
Replanting proposal: Not a suitable location for a replanting.
Removal of two trees due to them causing damage to the surrounding footpath, which is creating a trip hazard for pedestrians. Trees to be replaced with small ornamental trees suitable for this location.
Consideration of alternative measures to prevent tree removal: Removal of existing pavers and replace with a flexible porous surface.
Number of trees: 2
Species: Honey locust
Date of notice: 19 March 2025
Consultation ends: 16 April 2025
No responses received either for or against the removal of the two trees.
Decision: Remove both trees.
Alternative footway surfacing material considered, however this would not guarantee further damage to the footpath in the future. Both trees are young and not reached their full size, damage caused by the tree roots will increase if trees are left in-situ and there are no practical measures to prevent this.
Proposal: Removal of a tree removal due to excessive fruit fall on the pavement which is creating a hazard for pedestrians. There are no practical alternative methods available to prevent fruit fall on the pavement. Tree to be replaced with an ornamental tree species suitable for this location.
Species: Pear
Number of trees: one
Date of Notice: 25 October 2024
Consultation ends: 22 November 2024
Decision: After due consideration Bedford Borough Council has decided to remove the tree.
The tree produces a large quantity of fruit during the late summer and autumn months. The fallen fruit from the tree are a nuisance and trip hazard for pedestrians and nearby residents.
Pruning and chemical/hormone spray were considered as an alternative option to removal.
Replanting proposal: Non-fruit producing ornamental tree species.
Proposal: Removal of a line trees that are growing next to the fence and very close to properties, which are having an adverse impact on the buildings.
Species: Conifer
Number of trees: 16
Date of Notice: 16 October 2024
Consultation ends: 19 November 2024
Decision: After due consideration Bedford Borough Council has decided to remove the line of conifer trees.
The Council has received a single objection regarding the proposed removal of the trees. After careful consideration, a decision has been reached to remove the trees due to their detrimental impact on the nearby building. The species of the trees are not suitable for the designated location, and there are no viable engineering solutions to retain them effectively. The decision-making process took into account the objection received; however, it is believed that allowing the trees to remain would have long-term repercussions for the adjacent highways and properties, including substantial maintenance obligations in the years to come.
Replanting proposal: The location is not suitable for replanting.
If you wish to comment on a proposal to fell a highways tree, please please do so by emailing Environment.Helpdesk@bedford.gov.uk.
Please include the following at the top of your email:
The consultation period is 28 days from the date of notice. Any responses received after that date will not be considered.
We cannot accept anonymous comments.
The results of the consultation will remain applicable for a period of two years following the end of the consultation period.