PLANS to light up a 180-year-old oak tree in Crewkerne have come under fire over fears it could threaten the health of the tree.
Crewkerne Town Council (CTC) is looking to light up the historic Lucombe Oak tree, found near the George Reynolds Centre, to mark occasions such as Christmas and Remembrance by installing 150w LED flood lights on the floor near the tree, with the light directed upwards through the branches at a cost of up to £4,614.95.
The colour of the lights could be changed to suit different celebrations and councillors, who discussed the plans at a meeting last month, were keen to seen it installed in time for Christmas.
The move has faced backlash from some residents, with a petition for the lights not to be installed amassing 267 signatures, as they are concerned the light would prevent the tree from going into its dormancy period throughout winter and the light could have a harmful effect on the many insects and birds that shelter there.
“The damage which floodlighting could do to the tree is worrying,” said a spokesperson for the petition.
“Night lighting can prevent a tree going into its dormancy period during winter months because it can’t tell day from night.”
“The installation of these lights will damage the roots of the tree. The foundations for the lights and the laying of cabling will be directly amongst the roots and, obviously, within the root protection area,” the spokesperson added.
“Lighting will also have a harmful effect on the many insects, birds and mammals which use the tree for nesting, habitat and shelter.
“There will be light pollution in a sensitive area and the lights could be a distraction for passing drivers.”
Concerns have been raised that lights would prevent the tree from going into its dormancy period throughout winter
The spokesperson said the Campaign to Protect Rural England agreed with their concerns over the lights, but CTC said their professional arborist has not raised any concerns – instead recommending a bat survey to be carried out which the council is now awaiting.
A CTC spokesperson said: “The council’s professional arborist has reviewed the spec of the proposed installation and has not raised any concerns about the impact of the lighting on the tree itself.
“He has, however, recommended a bat survey be carried out and the council awaits the results of this.
“The tree would be lit for periods of celebration such as Christmas and other key dates to commemorate, i.e Remembrance.
“The council does not intend that the tree would be lit constantly, just on certain days and times, much like the festive tree lighting celebrations at Westonbirt Arboretum or Stourhead.”
Confusion over the need for the lights
While the council confirmed in a statement the lights are being considered to light up the tree for events, some councillors spoke about the need for the lights to curb anti-social behaviour in the area.
At a full council meeting in September, where councillors sat down to consider the two proposals for the lights from contractors, councillor Andrea Stuart questioned how the lights would combat anti-social behaviour if they were only switched on for Christmas and not on 24/7.
Councillor Andrea Stuart said: “If you’re trying to put it there to improve anti-social behaviour, and then you’re only going to turn it on at Christmas… you need to put in the proper lights for that.”
Deputy town clerk Gemma Hughes confirmed the lights would not be on 24/7 but as and when councillors decided.
Cllr David Livesley said in response: “I personally think that if its going to be on it should be on all the time.”
He added: “I appreciate your concerns, but the more light that you’ve got down there (the better), if they don’t get vandalised.”
The council, which said the proposed lights would be encased in an anti-vandal cage, declined to comment on the comments made by councillors over anti-social behaviour and retained staff were asked to investigate the costs involved with lighting up the tree specifically for events and celebrations – not anti-social behaviour.
CTC confirmed it would also need to apply for a discharge of conditions before going ahead with the plans as the 2010 planning application for the George Reynolds Centre, nearby to the oak, states no external lighting could be installed in that area without planning approval.
The council is waiting for the results of the bat survey before making a decision.
The petition is still live and can be found by clicking here.
A bat survey cannot be done until spring, which means the tree can’t be lit up for Christmas. The idea that lights surrounded by anti vandal cages to prevent vandalism is surely a misconception from the start.