Councillors will next week decide whether to grant permission for a mature tree next to a Kenilworth home to be cut down.

Planning officers have said a tree preservation order (TPO) should be made permanent to protect the cedar tree on Fieldgate Lane.

This comes after the owners of a nearby cottage asked for permission for it to be felled at the end of last year, saying the tree is having a negative impact on their home which is just nine metres away.

Council officers put a provisional TPO in place for the cedar, which has since been challenged by the owners.

In their original application to the council, the homeowner said: "Our neighbours both sides are fully supportive of our request to take the tree out, as they suffer with the same issues.

"We do feel vulnerable and it does affect our mental health.

"The fact that it is such a huge tree and so close to all of our thatched cottages, we have concerns that when the wind picks up that the tree is top heavy and could fall into our houses.

"It could easily take two houses out and could result in a loss of life.

"The tree would be perfect in a park or golf course but not in a small domestic garden."

However, council planners were not convinced and said there is no justification for removing the cedar.

"The tree is considered to make a significant contribution to the local landscape, biodiversity and the public amenity whilst many of the nuisance issues could be resolved or improved with minor maintenance pruning, crown lifts of lower branches and branch tip pruning back away from the buildings," the report added.

"For example, in 2017. When the property and tree were under different ownership, works to reduce the tree by several meters were agreed by the council."

A decision will be made at the council's planning committee meeting on Tuesday 11 August.

The report continued: "The issues raised in objection are not considered to be sufficient to outweigh the tree's contribution to public amenity and the character of the conservation area.

"The tree is healthy, prominent, and therefore its protection is considered to be in line with national guidance on tree protection."

Click here to see the report in full.