CAMPAIGNERS who fought to stop a property developer chopping down a row of iconic trees in the town centre say they have been “vindicated” after a council decision to save them.

Sorbon Estates – part of Shanly Group – told the MFP in May about plans to remove four trees from Anglers Court on Spittal Street and re-landscape the area.

But the move sparked a furious reaction, with more than 25 residents and societies begging the council to save them.

And this week, Wycombe District Council took the side of the protesters, saying their loss would be “detrimental” to the area and placing a protection order over them.

Architect and Marlow resident John Burnham, who objected to the tree felling, said a letter he wrote to the Marlow Free Press on the issue sparked a huge response.

He said: “It certainly generated a lot of public interest and I am delighted. I’m fond of the trees; they’re beautiful. More trees has to be better than fewer trees surely?

“This vindicates the public reaction to the news that they learned about through the BFP. The reaction has been to support me and I’m delighted.”

Sorbon Estates planned to redesign the area around Anglers Court – which it owns – by replacing the four trees with benches but only two new trees.

The project was supposed to form part of the new £100,000 Spittal Street improvement programme - a raft of upgrades being planned alongside Wycombe District Council and Marlow Town Council.

But campaigners have criticised Sorbon and the councils for not putting the Anglers Court plan out for public consultation, unlike the larger street-wide plan unveiled in January.

And with several large developments in the area including Shanly’s mooted flats at Windsor House, chairman of the Marlow Society Martin Blunkell said more joined up thinking is required.

He said: “It is a great pity that those who wish to reorganise Anglers Court, renovate the pavements and roadway of Spittal Street, its lighting and drainage and redevelop Windsor House do not operate in a coordinated manner.

“All these projects interact and will have a major impact on the town’s appearance yet they are being processed individually with no apparent cross referencing by those responsible for planning approval.”

Shanly Group’s group operations director Tamra Booth – who told the MFP about the plans in May – said WDC’s decision to make tree preservation orders was “disappointing”.

She said: “We believe that our proposal to replace the trees with better quality specimens offered a significant improvement to the location.

“It would have visually opened up a key gateway to the town, brought more light to the Anglers Court shops, improved pedestrian access and also allowed the removal of the existing, frequently vandalised, flowerbeds.

“This, in turn, would have enabled the creation of attractive public seating areas – something that residents had requested.

“The feedback we had received from traders, Marlow Town Council, the Chamber of Commerce and residents on the proposals for this area had been positive.

“Our proposals were considered in keeping with the plans for the adjoining public realm which is owned and managed by the Council.

“We remain fully committed to playing an active part in the ongoing improvement of the town for residents and traders and will be working with all key parties to review our plans for this location.”