A resident is demanding council action over an out-of-control tree being blamed for damaging homes and pavements.

Ross Wilson has lived on Myott Avenue, in Newcastle-under-Lyme, for 14 years and says the tree also regularly sheds large branches.

Now the tree – which was last pruned in 2019 – faces leaving the 52-year-old out of pocket after cracks appeared in his home.

Ross said: "Around 18 months ago I noticed I had a crack in my bay window. It was gradually getting wider and wider so obviously it was the window frame. I thought I bet there are no foundations under this so I started digging down to check because I thought maybe this bay window has been put on secondary and not the original build. As I dug down I hit a root and it was probably eight or nine inches in diameter. It's literally going right underneath my foundation.

"I went through my own insurance which I've got a £1,300 excess on which I'm concerned about but I thought I need my property doing. They put a company to do it, so they came round, they took surveys, they monitored it, they took soil samples, and identified that it is in fact the tree that's causing the damage to my property.

"My property is just getting damaged. I can't re-mortgage my property because when they come round and survey it'll have subsidence. So my mortgage bill will be ridiculous and this has gone on for the best part of 18 months."

Staffordshire County Council has launched an investigation following a complaint.

Councillor Mark Deaville, cabinet member for strategic highways, said: "We are aware of a claim relating to alleged property damage on Myott Avenue. We are currently investigating this issue, and whether the tree in question is the responsibility of the county council.

"Records indicate that pruning works were carried out on trees in this area in 2017 and 2019 and any reports submitted via our 'Report It' system would have received a response, even if this was a standard acknowledgment.

"We are working closely with our insurers and liaising with the property owner and their insurers to gather all necessary information and evidence. This will help determine the appropriate next steps and clarify responsibilities."

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READ MORE: Newcastle council bosses say they won't make the same mistakes as Stoke-on-Trent

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