An imposing village green tree is set to be felled after a survey found its condition presented an unacceptable risk to nearby properties.

The mature sycamore tree, standing more than 18 metres tall and with a crown spread of 12 metres, is located in the northeast corner of the village green in Towngate, Foulridge.

An application was made to Pendle Council by Peter Hoyle to chop down the tree, which had been covered by a Tree Protection Order (TPO).

The council approved the plans with certain conditions, which included the replacement of the tree with a new oak, birch or hornbeam tree within four metres of the sycamore’s location, planted as soon as possible.

A tree risk management appraisal submitted with the plans set out how the tree, at the mature stage of its life, is not in good condition and presents a risk to the village centre.

The document, prepared by Bowland Tree Consultancy Ltd, said the tree “falls within the unacceptable risk threshold range” and “remedial management works are recommended in order to mitigate the risk that this tree presents”.

The report said the tree should be removed “due to identified increased risk of failure and subsequent unacceptable risk of damage to property”.

Within 18 metres of the tree are numerous houses, Towngate, several cars and a park bench on the village green.

It stated ivy and elder growth were present at the base of the tree and “severe bark necrosis” was present on the tree’s trunk, with bark “easily removable”.

While no fungi could be seen during the survey, surveyors noted it was “highly likely desiccated wood will be readily colonised” by fungus.

They also noted a “severe reduction in vitality” in the tree’s canopy with sparse leaf cover.

A Pendle Council environment officer’s report agreed the tree had a “lack of vigour and serious decline” and approved the removal of the tree.