Residents in Stockport are trying to stop a 'historic' tree being chopped down after learning that a housing association wants to use the land to build six new homes.

An American beech tree, thought to be around 80 years old, sits on the proposed development site at Grafton Street in Heaton Norris. Stockport Homes, which manages the council's housing stock, is preparing to submit a planning application to build on the land and has sent letters informing residents.

Gary Nolan, 51, a driving instructor who lives in Heaton Norris, explained that the tree is "historic" and has been "treated like landmark in our locality for our 80 years".

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "Residents feel shut out, it seems like the decision was made six months ago and that was that. My concern is the tree there is an American beech tree and apparently it's also an important habitat for bats.

"The biggest disappointment for us is the Green Party being so quiet about it when a lot of people voted for them in the last election. It's only six new properties so I don't understand why they [Stockport Homes] want to chop this down when there are hundreds being built in the town centre."

A letter concerning the Grafton Street proposals from Stockport Homes (Image - Declan Carey)

Housing is a controversial issue in Stockport as the council plans to build thousands of new homes on brownfield locations in the town centre over the next ten years, without building on green belt locations.

The land for the proposed development is next to Grafton Street Park, a small pocket of green space surrounded by terraced and semi-detached houses.

Stockport Green Party said they are aware of the potential loss of the tree and the impact it would have on residents in the area.

A spokesperson said: "Stockport Green Party is very aware of local residents' concerns about the proposed loss of this splendid tree and the open space around it.

"All three Green ward councillors will take full account of residents' views when they make decisions as part of the planning process."

A Stockport Homes spokesperson said: "With up to 600 applications for each social housing tenancy becoming available in Stockport, doing what it can to meet housing need in Stockport is a top priority for Stockport Homes.

"Stockport Homes has submitted a planning application to build six affordable and accessible bungalows for older people in housing need. Should the planning application be approved, these new homes will be energy efficient, gas free and six new trees will be planted as part of a carefully considered landscape design, associated planting schedule and ecological enhancements which will improve the ecological conditions of the site.

"A bat survey carried out on the existing tree has concluded it has negligible potential for bat roosting."

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