Trees set for chop at church (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Trees set for chop at church

10:00am Sunday 6th May 2012 in Local

Trees in St Mary’s Church-yard in Devizes are to be felled as part of plans to bring the redundant church into community use.

Work to remove five conifers of varying sizes, the largest overhanging the south porch, and one overgrown shrub, is due to start shortly.

Yew trees either side of the west entrance will have their crowns raised and pruned to clear the adjacent buildings.

Tony Scorer, project manager for the scheme to improve facilities at the church, said: “The aim is to restore a more open environment so that this attractive and important Grade I listed building gives as great a presence from New Park Street as it enjoyed in earlier years.”

The parochial church council of St Mary’s and St John’s has appointed local tree surgeon Ian Pocock to carry out the work following a competitive tendering process.

Architect Batterham Matthews is currently working on detailed drawings for the new cloister-style building to the north of the church.

The PCC also plans to incorporate new trees in the landscaping of the extension.