Oakham councillors approve plan to cut back overhanging yew trees dropping poisonous berries into children’s playarea

Oakham Town Council has agreed to an application to cut back overhanging yew trees dropping poisonous berries into a children’s playarea.

The application (2022/1372/CAT) at the back of The Lodge, Stamford Road, Oakham proposes to cut back eleven yew trees that are currently overhanging the boundary wall by up to 1 metre.

These yew trees are currently dropping their poisonous berries into the Children's Centre Garden where the children play. As few as two berries can be fatal to children, while three to five are dangerous to adults.

Chairman and mayor of Oakham, Coun Sally-Anne Wadsworth said at a meeting on Wednesday (December 7): “I don’t think we need to discuss this application in any great detail, we simply can’t have poisonous berries falling into a children’s playarea – the risk of them being picked up and being eaten is just too high.

“While it is a shame to cut back any established tree, in this case the yews are clearly overhanging the wall and we should approve this application.”

Councillors unanimously approved the application which will now go forward to Rutland County Council for final approval on December 20.