Chatteris councillors celebrate planting of a new tree at Larham Way

A lengthy saga reached a happy ending last Friday when Chatteris Town Councillors celebrated the planting of a new tree in Larham Way.

The Scarlet Oak tree is a replacement for the tree adjacent 7 Ash Grove, which had to be felled when it was deemed unsafe.

The town council fought long and hard to try and save the tree, which was the subject of planning applications. However a tree officer eventually decided it was beyond redemption.

Chatteris councillors then tried to get a replacement tree planted on the parcel of land where the original tree stood.

Aided by Fenland District Council they discovered the land belonged to the Crown Estates. However they didn’t want the tree to be planted on the land.

Fenland District Council agreed to plant a tree in a different location and the town council chose the small area of grass just around the corner in Larham Way.

Mayor of Chatteris, Cllr James Carney, aided by his young daughter Kathy, took part in the planting ceremony. They were watched by fellow Councillors Peter Murphy, Linda Ashley, Bill Haggata and Julie Smith and Bob Ollier, FDC’s parks and open spaces manager.