Douglas City Council invokes emergency powers to fell 'dangerous' trees

The two trees are among a wider group of 39 

Douglas City Council has invoked emergency powers to remove two trees at the rear of Baldwin Road after inspections found they were at immediate and significant risk to nearby properties.

With the agreement of DEFA's forestry division, local authority staff worked in stormy conditions to ensure the trees, deemed at high risk of falling, were brought down safely.

The operation was completed using powers within the Tree Preservation Act 1993 with properties on Norwood Drive and Baldwin Road at risk.

(Picture: Douglas Council)

The two trees are among a wider group of 39 that the Council has been seeking permission to fell since earlier this year due to ongoing safety concerns. 

Chair of the Housing and Property Committee, Councillor Peter Washington, said: ‘After two trees came down in January this year and caused significant damage to nearby social housing, we established a comprehensive evacuation plan to protect residents should further trees become unstable. This week’s emergency action is a stark reminder of the need to respond swiftly when risks escalate.

‘I want to express my sincere gratitude to our staff for their professionalism and for placing themselves at personal risk in difficult conditions to make the area safe. We have already agreed a replanting strategy with DEFA, replacing the felled trees with species better suited to the location and native to the area, and these will be planted as soon as possible.

‘Public safety remains our foremost priority and we hope this latest incident will support the expedited approval of the outstanding felling licence, allowing a structured and proactive approach to managing the remaining trees. In the meantime, officers will continue to monitor the area closely during high winds, undertake further safety work where required and ask residents to remain vigilant and report any concerns immediately.’