TREES will be felled or lopped at the Lulworth Castle grounds to ensure music fans are safe from falling branches at this year’s Camp Bestival.

Dorset Council has raised no objection to an application from the Lulworth Estate for works on up to thirty trees in the Castle grounds.

The estate says the felling and lopping is needed in readiness for the Festival which takes place between July 27th and 30th. The works, by a local tree surgeon, is expected to be completed during June.

Many of the trees listed are mature specimens said to have been damaged by winter storms, leaving hanging branches and limbs which could fall. Several of those to be felled completely have died.

Some of the trees are adjacent to entrance areas or close to parking spaces, camping grounds, the taxi drop off and the lower kids field.

In most cases the trees will have dangerous branches or limbs removed with only a handful of trees scheduled for felling, most of which are dead.

In several cases a tree specialist is suggesting leaving the tree standing and putting in a five or ten metre cordon in place to ensure safety.

Dorset Council’s tree officer raised no concerns about the works and said in a report that the trees scheduled for removal are not worthy of a Tree Protection Order.