Commenting on the Tree Protection Order served today on the threatened birch tree at 23b St Vincent Crescent, local SNP Councillor Craig Mackay said: "This is a welcome development in what has become a very long saga. The issuing of this TPO today sends a clear message that the council is serious about the benefits of retaining this tree, which has been threatened by the adjacent development.

"The mature trees in St Vincent Crescent enhance the setting of the A-listed terrace, and there can be little justification for removing healthy trees.

"I am hopeful that the developer will now go back to the drawing board and come up with an amended proposal which fits in more sympathetically with this outstanding Conservation Area, and which does not require the removal of this tree."

Note:

The half-constructed development at 23b St Vincent Crescent, immediately adjacent to the birch tree, is unable to be completed without removing the tree.

Planning permission had been granted in 2007 on the basis of drawings which incorrectly located the tree further from the development site, suggesting it would not require to be removed.