A HUGE sycamore tree is to be felled following concerns it could cause catastrophic damage if it was blown over.

Kevin Todd applied to cut down the tree in Dene Road, Seaham.

A Durham County Council arborist had said there was insufficient justification to fell it.

But members of a council planning committee said if the tree failed it could have a “catastrophic” effect on Seaham, as it is located close to a sub station, as well as nearby houses.

Cllr Geraldine Bleasdale said: “It’s so huge and wide - I don’t know how they sleep at night.”