There has been some talk on social media about the Trustees' proposals to remove the four chanticleer pear trees on the forecourt of the Blue House, which were planted directly into the masonry of the grade 1 listed C17 bridge forecourt in 1991.

Two years ago, they were permitted to be crown reduced by 4.0 metres but this has stimulated further root growth and now the forecourt bridge abutments and copings are cracking and the tarmac surface is heaving.

We have decided to replace the chanticleer pears with junipers in planters, as it is better to spend hundreds of pounds on these replacements rather than thousands of pounds on future bridge repairs.

As Charity Trustees we are concerned for the safety of our older residents, their visitors, our neighbours and the general public. So, we are also proposing some precautionary safety work to the poplar trees overhanging Willow Vale and the M&S car park. We also want to fell the non-native monterey cypress in this group which casts considerable shade and prevents us from using the area as a riverside garden.

The prior notification for these works can be viewed on Mendip's website. We have explained our proposals to the Town Council who have raised no objections to the works.