A DISPUTE over trees shading nearby properties has ended in a decision to fell one tree, while preserving two others.

Harrogate Borough Council officials recommended councillors to approve a tree preservation order on three Norwegian maples near Clifton House flats, in Stray Road.

But councillors heard of protests from residents, and a plea from Stray ward councillor Cliff Trotter, to keep two of the trees and fell the largest.

Planning committee members decided not to accept the officials' recommendation. They gave approval for felling the largest tree, with a preservation order imposed on the other two.

Coun Trotter, who visited the site and spoke to some of the residents, said too much light was being blocked from some of the flats by the largest tree.

"It doesn't look too bad now, when the trees are not in leaf, but having seen a photograph of the trees in full leaf, it is easy to understand the residents' problem," he said.

Coun Trotter added: "I'm all in favour of preserving trees where we can, but in this case, their overall impact had become too overbearing."

The modern block of flats adjoins Harrogate's 200-acre Stray.

A firm of chartered surveyors wrote to the council, raising an official objection to the preservation order, and there were also seven protests from individual residents.

One of them wrote: "We only want to fell the largest of the trees. This would still leave two well-formed and highly visible trees.

"In summer, when in full leaf, there is a reduction of light in my apartment and I feel this could reduce its value on the market."

Other residents complained about loss of natural light, concern over expanding roots and fear of subsidence if the trees were allowed to grow unchecked.