Church is planning to cut down mature 55ft Scots pine because its CONES have been deemed a threat to parishioners
- Two people have already been struck by the pine cones in Hove, East Sussex
- Chichester consistory court ruled that the tree must be felled to ensure safety
- Locals branded the decision ‘overprotective’ but 130 pine cones loom overhead
A church is planning to fell a 55ft Scots pine tree because its cones have been deemed a threat to its parishioners.
Sermons at St Peter’s Parish Church in Hove, East Sussex, are accompanied by the fear that worshipers will be struck while walking through its courtyard.
So far projectiles have struck two passers-by, leading Chicester consistory court to rule that the tree must be brought down.
A tree outside the church (pictured) in Hove, East Sussex, will be felled due to the threat it poses to parishioners
An estimated 130 pine cones loom overhead, The Times reports, and the Worshipful Mark Hill QC deems them a significant hazard.
Despite fears that missiles could also hit young children, due to the tree’s proximity to the Little Gulls and Buoys pre-school, pupils are opposed to the felling on the grounds that it will uproot a resident squirrel.
Maria Velasquez-Bowles, four, said: ‘I don’t want it to be cut down because the cheeky squirrel lives up there. I’ll miss the cheeky squirrel.’
Youngsters regularly gather at the classroom window to stare up at the rodent through binoculars.
The church in Hove, East Sussex, is concerned that pine cones will hit parishioners after two people have already been struck by projectiles (file image)
The pre-school’s manager, Laura Stevens, agrees with the court that the ‘risk’ needs to be removed.
But graphic designer Richard Wolfstromme, 55, believes that the ‘overprotective’ attitude being taken after living with trees ‘for thousands of years’ is ‘bizarre’.
‘In urban environments we lack connection to nature,’ he added. ‘The more nature we have, the higher the level of wellbeing.’
Retired engineer David Bernard, 77, agrees and says that he can’t believe anybody has been seriously injured by a pine cone falling. MailOnline has approached St Peter’s Parish Church for comment.
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