THE LOCAL authority has invited tenders for the felling of the Catalpa Tree in St James' Square despite fierce local opposition.

Monmouthshire County Council has decided to fell the tree, pictured, on grounds of safety, but conservationists are angry over what they consider a misuse of council powers.

Archaeologist Stephen Clarke, who is chairman of Monmouth Action Group, said: "The council's chief executive has consistently said that if a revised opinion from the arboriculturist employed by the town council, the archaeologists and the action group differed greatly from their own tree expert's report, then there might be room for some reassessment."

This revised report has now been obtained from leading tree expert Roy Finch of Malvern who is totally opposed to the destruction of the tree.

"However, we are now being told that our new report is 'not a second opinion, but a reiteration of the opinions expressed in Mr Finch's first report," added Mr Clarke.

He considers this an abuse of the council's authority and a callous moving of the goalposts.

"We have tried for months to reason amicably with the council by suggesting such things as a meeting of experts around the tree to see if it can be saved. This idea was reasonable as both consultants agreed that treatment would be inexpensive. Again, this has been met with the same intransigence as everything else."

The poor condition of the tree was brought to the council's attention by one of the Wales in Bloom judges in the summer.

Monmouthshire County Council tree officer Jim Keech said: "Pruning would be an expensive, short term solution that may not even work. It may prolong the tree for a few years but simply put off the inevitable.

"A supporting rod brace was fitted between the main stems by the council as far back as 1946 when the tree was first perceived as being hazardous."

It is hoped that another Catalpa would be planted in its place.