The report from the ecologist’s investigation into the beech tree has been received, along with a proposed action plan going forward.

You can read it in full here.

The main points are –

• A jackdaw nest was found in the tree. This was removed within guidelines.

• Two chicks which were believed to be tawny owls were found in the tree. They cannot be removed but are expected to have fledged by 24th May. Because of these chicks, they were not able to check for bats.

• If bats are found once the owls have fledged, the resulting licence needed to remove the tree to the ground would be a very costly and time consuming process.

• Dr Stump is proposing a compromise by leaving a 10m monolith of the beech tree. This would allow the bats to still have a habitat in there. Details about what a monolith is and why it helps wildlife is here.

• If a monolith is kept, the process for removal of the tree will be different, there are details in the link at the top.

As we get more information, it will be posted here.

The full report can also be viewed below.