Earlier this month Highland Council imposed a temporary TPO on both sides of Fassifern Road at and opposite the former Mackintosh Memorial Church after local resident Anne Scoular alerted them that mature trees were being cut down.

Ms Scoular wants to ensure the remaining beech trees, a yew tree and a monkey puzzle are spared the axe in future by having the council giving them official protection.

Councillor Brian Murphy, who is not on the local planning committee that will decide the issue, but may apply for a vote, told The Oban Times: ‘I know from previous experience just how strongly people feel about trees, both for and against.

‘There’s been a number of problems over the years, in Inverlochy for example. There are a lot of people who would like to see the trees removed and others who would wish to see them retained – there are strong views on both sides.

‘If people feel strongly about the tree preservation order, either positively or negatively, then they should make their views known – that’s what the process is for.’

Ms Scoular told The Oban Times she had contacted all four Fort William and Ardnamurchan councillors to lobby them for their support, and was keen to ‘raise awareness in the community of the importance of greenspace’.

Describing tree felling in the area as ‘environmental vandalism’, she said: ‘I believe Highland Council’s action is timely and will be warmly welcomed by many people in the community. It is vital that this order is made permanent.

‘This is the first ever tree preservation order in Fort William, representing an important and welcome step change in planning policy, which is long overdue. Both the quantity and quality of green space within Fort William is rapidly diminishing.’

Tree preservation order No 93 is on display in Lochaber House, Fort William.

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