Investigation launched into Torbay Christmas palm tree ‘massacre’

An investigation has been launched to unravel the circumstances surrounding the unexpected removal of 40 palm trees along Torquay seafront. 

Torbay council workers had felled the trees in the Italian Gardens, citing plans for an improved replanting and regeneration project. 

In the wake of the incident labelled as a 'massacre,' the Overview and Scrutiny Board, the council's watchdog committee, unanimously decided to initiate an investigation.

The heightened national attention surrounding the tree felling prompted the board to thoroughly examine the initial proposals for tree removal and evaluate the necessity of community involvement in the situation.

The investigation has aimed to provide clarity on the decision-making process and identify lessons for improvement. Officers are expected to deliver an interim report on February 7, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding the Christmas palm tree removal.

Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board, Cllr Steve Darling, expressed concern over the lack of community engagement and the unexpected removal of the Christmas palm trees in December 2023.

Cllr Darling stated, “I lodged this call to action with the Overview & Scrutiny Board as Torbay Council hit the national headlines for all the wrong reasons with the massacre of the palm trees in December 2023. Members were united in wishing to understand where initial proposals came from and why the trees were destroyed without appropriate engagement with the community."

Cllr Darling expressed hope that the investigation would lead to a more collaborative approach between the local authority and the Torbay community in future initiatives.

As the controversy continues to capture public attention, residents await the findings of the investigation, anticipating insights that could shape a more transparent and community-oriented approach to local projects.