NEIGHBOURS concerned about the threat to a lone tree on Hove seafront are asking councillors to intervene.

Mr and Mrs Leslie, who live next door to Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour's Medina House in Sussex Road, want to remove the fruit tree in their back yard to make way for a side extension.

But their application for the extension was turned down both by council planners and on appeal, partly because of the loss of the tree.

However, the council arboriculturalist Paul Davey said that as the tree cannot be seen from the road it does not qualify for a tree preservation order.

A new application to remove the tree has now been submitted – and their neighbour Neil Williams is going before tomorrow’s full council meeting to ask why it’s not been protected.

He asks why the council supports the destruction of a “much-loved” tree in the Cliftonville Conservation area to “pave the way” for a planning application refused by both the Planning Committee and at appeal.

Mr Williams says removing the tree would contravene the council’s Local Plan and go “against the grain” of environmental research.

The completed new Medina House development at Hove seafront, where Pink Floyd rocker David Gilmour lives with author Polly Samson

The completed new Medina House development at Hove seafront, where Pink Floyd rocker David Gilmour lives with author Polly Samson

He said: “This tree is not enjoyed by a ‘few residents’.

“We have 15 or so neighbours who have stated they either enjoy the tree or the wildlife it attracts.”

In August 2020, the Planning Committee refused the application single-storey side extension to 12 Sussex Road because it would result in overlooking and a “detrimental” impact on the tree.

Planning inspector H Miles also agreed the tree was “highly valued” by the community and had “amenity value”, which would be damaged if the tree went.

The current planning application, which Mr Williams and his neighbours were not initially aware of, was submitted in February.

The Argus:

The application said: “My client wishes to remove the tree as it is inappropriately planted within an extremely small courtyard.

“It has been planted within a planter right up next to the garden boundary wall.

“It is far too close to the wall and the house, and we fear that it will cause damage to both, as well as to below ground pipework, by the roots.”

The householders and their planning agent submitted no documents with the application. The householders’ agent was approached for comment.

Brighton and Hove City Council’s meeting is webcast on its website from 4.30pm on Thursday 25 March.