Seven trees at Marlhill Copse - owned by Southampton Airport - have been protected by Southampton City Council.

The trees are protected by TPOs (Tree Protection Orders) so the airport has to apply to the city council for permission to do any work.

Certain work was outright refused on two of the trees; an ash and a pine – and limitations were put on all the others, including other applications on the ash and the pine.

A spokesperson from Southampton Airport attended the council’s planning meeting on June 27 to give his feedback on the tree officer’s conditions.

He said the airport ‘fully supports the recommendations’ – and explained why the work needs to be done.

“It’s very much about public safety," he said.

“The airport has a duty of care as the owner of Marlhill Copse to ensure we keep the area safe for visitors, adjacent properties – as well as adjacent roads.

“Given the use of Marlhill by a lot of the public now we treat safety as we do at the airport as our number one priority for all members of the public.

“Since Marlhill has come under the airport’s ownership both access and safety of Marlhill has improved significantly.”

Marlhill Copse is a 16-acre of ancient deciduous woodland that is separated from the airport by the M27 motorway.

Late last year a planning inspector dismissed an appeal lodged by the airport after an application to fell 91 trees was rejected by the city council.

Airport bosses said the proposed felling amounted to good forestry but the scheme was contested by Airport Expansion Opposition Southampton (AXO), which has also fought plans to extend the runway.

The inspector said the existing trees were clearly visible from a number of vantage points in the city and formed part of a landmark.

He added: "Any reasons given to justify the proposed works need to be compelling."

In 2020 the High Court refused to let the airport fell three pine trees.