Protected trees in Runnymede, Fareham face the axe as roots are blamed for home damage
Three trees may need to be chopped down as they are damaging a family home
Three mature oak trees could be chopped down after their roots were blamed for damaging a family home.
Fareham Borough Council is being asked to approve the felling of the protected trees at residential street Runnymede, Fareham, amid concerns they are contributing to subsidence affecting a conservatory and garage.
The trees, which are around 13 metres tall, are between four and 7.5 metres from the affected buildings and predate the surrounding housing development, which was built around 1990.
Damage was first reported in August 2025, prompting investigations by engineers and tree specialists.
Monitoring has been carried out by the council since September 2025, and it has shown a pattern of movement.
A report by the council’s environmental services team states that the buildings were sinking during the drier summer months before recovering over winter.
Investigations found live oak roots beneath the foundations, while the clay soil was found to have dried out.
Officers said the evidence suggests the trees are collectively drawing moisture from the soil, causing the clay to shrink and the buildings to move.
However, the council acknowledges the loss of the mature trees would have a significant impact because they can be seen from surrounding public areas and have “substantial amenity value”.
Officers said this had to be balanced against the continuing structural damage to the property.
They added that pruning the trees would be unlikely to provide reliable protection because of their size, number and proximity to the buildings.
Alternative solutions such as root barriers can also be difficult and expensive to install.
The report warns that refusing permission to fell the trees could leave the council facing a substantial compensation claim if the trees continued to cause damage.
Officers described it as a “difficult case”, adding that the home was suffering structural damage “through no fault of that homeowner”.
They also expressed frustration that current legislation effectively leaves councils deciding whether to approve or refuse applications, rather than allowing them to require other engineering solutions to be explored first.
Fareham Borough Council has previously lobbied the government for changes so that felling protected trees involved in subsidence cases becomes a last resort.
However, the report says ministers have indicated they do not intend to review the legislation.
Officers are recommending permission is granted when the planning committee considers the application on November 11. If approved, three replacement trees would have to be planted following the felling.