Residents of Middlewood Lodge apartment block in Sheffield have expressed their anger, worry and frustration after “healthy” trees were felled in the grounds without residents being notified – or a written report from an arborist.
The apartment block, formerly the Victorian Asylum for South Yorkshire was built over 150 years ago, in 1872. Phillip Strafford, 46, has lived in one of Middlewood Lodge’s 38 apartments, which lie in Middlewood Park Conservation Area, for seven years.
He owns his property on a leasehold basis and the apartments and grounds are looked after by Middlewood Lodge management company, of which Mr Strafford is a shareholder. He says neither the property’s management agents, Omnia, nor Sheffield Council informed residents that the trees were going to be cut down.
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“The first I knew about it was when I saw other residents moving their cars away from the area on the day that the trees were chopped down.” Mr Strafford, a communications officer, explained.
“I had no idea it was happening – I came home and they were all gone.”
He also expressed his concern that no one from the council visited the site to approve the removal of the trees: “ The council made the decision to fell the trees from a photograph which was sent to them by the managing director – and I think that’s outrageous.
“What’s really upsetting and alarming is that five trees have been chopped down in the space of a year – simply at the whim of the directors.”
When Mr Strafford contacted Middlewood Lodge’s management agents about the issue they explained the director had received a report from an arborist which recommended “immediate removal” of the trees.
“But when I asked to view it, they said it was a verbal report,” Mr Strafford explained. “It’s extremely concerning to me that the council are felling trees off the back of a verbal report, with no written evidence.”
The yew tree and two holly trees which were felled in the ground of the apartments, are thought to have been on site for over 150 years, since the Victorian building was first erected. “These trees had survived two world wars and now, at the whim of a director, they’ve been chopped down,” Mr Strafford added.
(Image: Phillip Strafford)
He explained that the issue isn’t just about the trees, it’s a wider problem which comes with owning a leasehold property. “I own my property and I pay ground rent on top of that each year, but I have no say in what happens on the grounds.”
Mr Strafford said that there should be an annual shareholders’ meeting but there has not been one held for seven years – leaving him feeling ‘powerless’ and outraged that the occupiers of the properties on site did not have a say on whether the trees would be chopped down.
“As a shareholder in the company, leaseholder and owner of my own property – I believe that I should have been informed that trees were being felled on site and I was never informed by the management company, or by the council.
“It feels like the directors are treating the grounds as if it’s their own front yard, rather than consulting everyone else who has a share.
“Myself and other residents feel powerless because we have such little say on what goes on in the grounds – if they wanted a fairground out front, they could have one.”
Mr Strafford said he is almost certain that the trees were “perfectly healthy” and posed no risk to residents, suspecting that their removal was for no other reason but aesthetics.
In a statement shared with leaseholders, the management company’s directors explained that the trees were removed for “health and safety reasons” after one fell down during a storm the week earlier.
But Mr Strafford believes other measures could have been taken to prevent this from happening in the future, rather than chopping them down completely. “What they should have done, instead of chopping down the yew and holly trees, is future proof them – trim them back, take branches down,” he suggested.
“A year ago, when a branch fell from another large tree on site during a storm, they felled the whole tree – again, instead of future-proofing it to make it safe for a storm.
“I don’t accept that you can fell five to six trees on site, and say that it’s for safety reasons, when there’s no written report to say that they’re unsafe.
“Tree felling became a national scandal after what happened in Sheffield and here they are doing it again. I’m so angry that the council didn’t even come to the site.”
(Image: Phillip Strafford)
One of the most “alarming” things was that the trees had previously been home to an “abundance of wildlife”, Mr Stafford said, including owls, squirrels and birds -all of which have vanished since the trees were chopped down.
He has also been left with little privacy in his apartment, as the trees had previously blocked his bedroom from the view of a house opposite.
Mr Strafford explained: “I have absolutely no privacy in my bedroom anymore because I’m completely overlooked by another house. Before, the trees were in front of the house so no one could see in. I’ve had to buy film and stick it on the window so that I have more privacy.”
A brief report on the decision to grant a section 211 notice to fell the trees on Sheffield City Council ‘s website said: “There is no objection to the proposed removal of the three small holly and yew trees, which are suppressed by neighbouring trees and are of ungainly form as a result.
“The replacement of these three trees, while not mandatory, would replace any amenity lost from their removal.”
Going forward, Mr Strafford feels strongly that replacement trees should be planted. “The trees have gone now, we can’t get them back. But I would hope for some resolution – for something to be planted in their place which is at least the equivalent.
“If the trees were only removed for safety reasons, then I see no reason why new ones can’t be put back in their place.”
But Mr Strafford remains “extremely concerned” that more elements of the historic Victorian building could be removed in the future. “This is a heritage site, the building was built in 1872 and most of the trees have been here that long.
“My concern is that they’re going to decimate other historic pieces on site. Sadly it isn’t a listed building but it still has such historic significance.
“My fear is that a historic site is not being cared for in the way it should be – especially by not holding annual meetings.”
The directors of the management company issued a statement to residents on the issue which said the removal of the trees was done for the “health and safety of residents.”
It said: “Middlewood Lodge is dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of all our residents. Recently, there has been some discussion regarding the felling of trees within our development. We would like to clarify the situation and provide accurate information.
“Contrary to reports, only three trees, not five, were removed last week. This decision followed an incident on 21st December 2023, where a tree fell, narrowly avoiding causing serious damage and potential loss of life. This was a fortunate escape as the tree’s fall was arrested by metal railings, preventing it from impacting nearby cars and residents. The cost of replacing the damaged railings amounted to £900.
“In response to this incident, a professional arborist was consulted. After thorough inspection, it was advised that three trees posed a significant risk to residents and parked vehicles due to their deformed growth, influenced by the proximity of three large sycamore trees. The arborist’s recommendation was for immediate removal.
“Understanding the urgency, we sought and received prompt approval from Sheffield City Council for the removal of these trees, which were not classified as “significant trees” but as a safety hazard.
“Our team of Directors at Middlewood Lodge is proactive in addressing any safety concerns. In this instance, we acted swiftly to mitigate a clear and present danger. The most at-risk leaseholders and residents have expressed their gratitude for our prompt action, which has significantly alleviated their concerns.
“While we regret that not all leaseholders were informed in time due to the urgent nature of this situation, we want to assure everyone that the safety of our residents is always our top priority.
“We understand the concerns raised by two leaseholders and appreciate them reaching out. Please be assured that these actions were taken with the health and safety of all our residents as the foremost consideration.”
Councillor Ben Miskell, Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee, said: “I am sympathetic to residents at Middlewood Lodge for the loss of these trees and understand their frustration at not having the opportunity to have their say. These trees do not belong to the Council, and it was not our decision to fell them.
“Under a section 211 notice, the local authority must allow work to take place unless they are able to make a Tree Preservation Order, and in this unfortunate case, our expert and skilled Community Tree Officers knew that these particular trees would not meet the high standards required for this to happen.
“As a Council we would always recommend that any trees that have been removed are replaced, and we have encouraged the landowners to do this to ensure there is no loss of amenity from the removal of these trees.”
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