CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save trees in a riverside wood in Stapleton hope councillors will come to their aid.

They hope a blanket tree preservation order (TPO) will be put on Grove Wood, next to the River Frome, at the city council's planning meeting today.

In July, planning officers gave the go-ahead for the owner of the wood to fell 27 trees which stand at the edge of the wood next to Blackberry Hill.

No date has been set for the work, which is aimed at stopping damage to the road surface, pavement and the adjacent wall, but it could go ahead at any time.

At today's meeting, councillors were due to consider placing a blanket TPO across the whole wood, including the 27 trees, following a report from council officers which says it is not necessary to do so.

If it is imposed, the TPO would effectively overturn the recommendation to fell the trees – a move which would please campaigners who say they should be pruned instead.

There is still concern among the campaigners over the future of the wood, which sits opposite Snuff Mills Park and is a haven for wildlife as well as a popular walking spot for locals.

They fear Lord Houshang Jafari, who bought the plot of land late last year for £39,000, plans to develop housing on the land.

But Mr Jafari insists he simply wants to improve the woodland and he is planning a meeting with councillors and residents to discuss his plans.

Steve Micklewright, chairman of the Snuff Mills Action Group, said: "Today is the first opportunity councillors have had to make a decision about the fate of Grove Wood.

"We hope that they will see that the advantages of applying a TPO are so obvious that they will insist that this happens.

"We believe a blanket TPO will provide the best protection possible for Grove Wood.

"It will mean that even the smallest trees are properly protected and that any damage caused by the landowner could result in a prosecution and replanting.

"While Grove Wood does need to be managed, applying a TPO would restrict the ability of the landowner to cause further damage while a plan is being produced.

"It is the sort of sensible precaution that most other local authorities would have used by now."

The report, due to be presented to the planning meeting, does not recommend applying a TPO but it does create the opportunity for councillors to do so.

It says: "Officers have considered that it is not necessary to impose a TPO on Grove Wood because of the level of control afforded by the existing conservation area and the stated willingness of the owner to agree a management plan for the woodland.

"Officers have encouraged the owner to involve local people in the development of a management plan for the woodland."