A VILLAGE school has asked Maldon District Council if two trees that are causing subsidence to a classroom can be felled so that building repair works can go ahead.

The large leylandii trees are taking so much water from the ground at St Nicholas C of E Primary School in Tillingham that they are disturbing the foundations of one of the Victorian classrooms.

Although this species of tree is well-known for causing potential problems, the location means that the local authority needs to agree to removal. As the school sits within the Tillingham conservation area, all trees with a trunk of more than 75mm width, when measured at 1.5m from ground level, are protected under planning law and permission must be sought to take them down.

Now council officers will decide on the school's application, taking into account the damage the trees are causing.

Headteacher at the school, Robert Pike, said: "We are dedicated to ensuring the continued health and safety of our staff and pupils, which is why we have decided to take action now before the problem becomes a serious issue.

"The school has made a claim on our insurance policy as one of our Victorian classrooms is suffering from subsidence. The insurance company has employed specialists to look at the damage caused and the reasons why this has occurred.

"The trees close to this classroom are taking too much water out of the ground and their roots are damaging the classroom foundations. The specialists have therefore recommended that these trees are removed.

"After this has happened, the insurance company will be able to commence building work to remedy the subsidence."

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