Palm Trees Spark Controversy: Set for Relocation Just a Few Hundred Yards Away

The much-loved palm trees at Weymouth's seafront will be relocated a short distance away, about several hundred yards from their current location, due to worries regarding their initial removal.

It has come to light that the pair of substantial palm trees on the Esplanade – set for replacement by the local council with more petite specimens because of safety issues – will instead be relocated approximately 350 yards away to the King's Statue area.

The Dorset Council is responsible for maintaining the vicinity of the King's Statue and has stated that the two seafront trees will be moved to this location. These trees will replace two palm trees that are currently in bad shape.

The palm trees along the Esplanade are scheduled for removal. (Image: Alfie Lumb) Part of the ongoing efforts includes repairing a stone planter located farther down the promenade, which contains another type of palm tree. This particular planter was previously damaged last year due to a collision with a car.

As reported, town Councillors approved spending £10,000 to remove the two bigger trees flanking the entry to New Street since they have become overly large and are damaging the promenade.

A palm tree planter on the Esplanade is currently under repair. (Image: Alfie Lumb) Caz Dennett, an environmental activist who voiced concerns about removing them during a Weymouth Town Council gathering, believes that the trees shouldn’t be relocated whatsoever.

Palm trees on the Esplanade will replace two damaged trees at the King's Statue (Image: Alfie Lumb) She stated, "Based on what I understand, no action will be taken until autumn. Even though they're repairing one of the planters (the third tree at present), removing them remains a significant challenge. Why not simply substitute the two damaged trees near the King’s Statue with new ones and keep the remaining two as they are?"

It isn't essential to relocate them after all. The planters require maintenance due to their proximity to the sea, enduring salt spray and harsh weather conditions. Just like you wouldn't demolish your home because of a crack in the wall; instead, you'd fix the crack.

Palm trees on the Esplanade will replace two damaged trees at the King's Statue (Image: Alfie Lumb) It's an odd scenario with all that's happening along the seaside promenade, and there is a requirement for additional natural features to complement the commercial aspect of the beach front, like what has been proposed with the introduction of new advertisement hoardings.

Out of everything that requires change, let the palm trees remain untouched.

Cllr Louie O'Leary, who labelled the palm trees as 'iconic' at a previous meeting, added: "The plan has always been to rehome them and replace them with a palm of similarity."

A spokesperson for Dorset Council: "We have agreed with Weymouth Town Council to replace the two palm trees in front of the King's Statue which are in poor condition, with the two palms from the Esplanade which need re-homing. This has been in discussion for some time now and will benefit both councils. The transplant will likely happen in the autumn."

Weymouth Town Council formerly stated: "During the talks, it was decided that if feasible, the extracted palm trees ought to be repurposed for use somewhere else." After examining multiple possibilities, officials confirmed, subsequent to discussions with Dorset Council, that the two palms would indeed be moved.

Even though the council will handle the planting of the trees, we will supplement this by adding cabbage palms, thus enhancing our overall tree count.