THE search is on for phantom gardeners in Northwich after several trees were planted without permission on land in Winnington.

The green-fingered vigilantes have taken it upon themselves to spruce up the land off Winnington Lane, but Cheshire West and Chester Council have put a notice up for their removal.

Lee Siddall, a Northwich town councillor for the ward, said he was hoping the trees can be kept, or at least moved to another spot the council does approve of.

"Nobody knows who has planted them," Cllr Siddall said.

"Because I have been planning to plant some trees in this area I was intrigued as to where they had sprouted up from, so I approached the town council to ask if they knew anything.

"After quite a lot of digging they couldn't get to the root of this and said that they have asked CWAC as it is their land and still waiting on a response from highways.

"The person that I spoke to mentioned that it could be a ‘vigilante’ group going around planting trees."

However, no sooner had the trees appeared on the land, a notice appeared stating they will be removed within 21 days.

Northwich Guardian:

The tree removal notice

Cllr Siddall added: "I must admit, it made me chuckle thinking about people creeping around randomly planting trees in disguise.

"But it appears they were barking up the wrong tree as a notice was placed on the trees to remove them."

In an e-mail to Cllr Siddall, the tree officer for the highways and environment team said:

"The planting was undertaken by persons unknown without council permission and in contravention of 1980 Highways Act sections 141 and section 142 licence to plant trees.

"I have served notice on site to notify the public, if they are not removed within 21 days I will be raising works to remove myself.

"The council needs to be aware of planting on its land not least so underground utility checks can be undertaken and the trees planting assessed so they do not become an issue to the highway in the future."

Northwich Guardian:

The trees have been planted on land just off Winnington Lane

The area where the trees have been planted is not considered suitable by the council due to its close proximity to the highway and because they are on a raised bund that is unable to accomodate an extensive root structure.

Cllr Siddall said he is hoping the trees can be moved to another location and that some 'legal trees' will be planted on the land soon.