{"id":796240,"date":"2026-10-08T19:22:13","date_gmt":"2026-10-08T19:22:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/796240\/"},"modified":"2026-10-08T19:22:13","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T19:22:13","slug":"villagers-plunged-into-near-constant-darkness-after-trees-planted-by-primary-school-children-grow-more-than-60ft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/796240\/","title":{"rendered":"Villagers plunged into near ‘constant darkness’ after trees planted by primary school children grow more than 60ft"},"content":{"rendered":"

By JOSHUA HAINING, NEWS REPORTER<\/a> <\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 07:37 EDT, 8 October 2026 | Updated: 09:31 EDT, 8 October 2026 <\/p>\n

A village has been plunged into near total darkness by dozens of 60-foot-tall trees planted by primary children 38 years ago.<\/p>\n

Homeowners in Tean, Staffordshire, say that the trees \u2013 planted by pupils at\u00a0Great Wood Primary School in 1988 \u2013 are blocking the sunlight from their properties.<\/p>\n

The maple, sycamore and silver birch trees on the school’s perimeter have grown so tall that some rooms and gardens have been left in shade almost permanently.<\/p>\n

Worried neighbours also fear that a heavy storm could cause the trees to come crashing down, destroying their homes.<\/p>\n

Grandmother-of-five Kay Mitchell said the overgrown trees could put off prospective buyers from purchasing the somewhat precariously placed properties.<\/p>\n

‘My biggest fear is that the trees aren\u2019t healthy, not spaced far apart and covered in ivy \u2013 they are a risk,’ she said.<\/p>\n

‘It\u2019s blocking light from my garden, but the main thing is they aren\u2019t healthy and aren\u2019t going to stand for very long.’<\/p>\n

The retired coffee shop owner added that the trees, which are not maintained by the school, have grown just metres from surrounding properties.<\/p>\n

\"Worried <\/p>\n

Worried villagers in Tean, Staffordshire, have voiced their concerns about dozens of trees planted in 1988 that have grown to more than 60ft<\/p>\n

\"Great <\/p>\n

Great Wood Primary School is now surrounded by trees which were planted by pupils in 1988<\/p>\n

She said: ‘They\u2019re all 60ft tall, and the ground is higher than the houses so they really do blot out the sun.<\/p>\n

‘They\u2019re enormous some of them, their branches in one case is just one metre away from a neighbour\u2019s chimney.’<\/p>\n

Maureen Forsyth, who has lived at her home for three years, said there is near constant shade thanks to the massive trees.<\/p>\n

She said: ‘I don\u2019t use the back garden because it\u2019s so dark and there wasn\u2019t any light, so we just built a shed.<\/p>\n

‘It\u2019s mainly dark all the time, my utility room backs onto that and I always have to put my light on. You can\u2019t use the spare bedroom without turning the light on.’<\/p>\n

The retired hotel owner added that she was concerned about how close the trees were getting to her home.<\/p>\n

‘I\u2019m the closest to the trees, one of the trees is only about 5m away from my home.<\/p>\n

‘If one of the larger branches or trees does fall you can only imagine the damage it will cause.’<\/p>\n

\"Kay <\/p>\n

Kay Mitchell looks up at the trees which have grown so high they block sunlight from her home<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The grandmother-of-five said the massive trees could put off prospective buyers from purchasing the properties on the school perimeter<\/p>\n

Some neighbours even complained about their properties not receiving any sunlight until almost midday.<\/p>\n

Others said the battle to maintain the ‘domineering’ trees is a ‘never-ending mission’.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Great Wood Primary School, which is part of the Moorlands Primary Federation (TMPF) Trust, said the trees receive regular safety inspections.<\/p>\n

A TMPF spokesman said: ‘The management of trees on the site is something which the school takes seriously and as such commission regular surveys and reports to ensure they are doing so.<\/p>\n

‘The school will always listen to any concerns raised and are happy to meet with neighbouring residents to endeavour to work respectfully towards a resolution for all parties which is mindful of professional advice, safety and our environmental responsibilities.’<\/p>\n

High Peak borough council and Staffordshire Moorlands district council said they are not responsible for the trees because they are not considered ‘dangerous’.<\/p>\n

A council spokesman said: ‘The trees are not protected by Tree Preservation Order (TPO) and are not within a conservation area, therefore there is no statutory role for the council in that regard.<\/p>\n

‘There is no legislation that restricts the height or width a tree may be on private land.’<\/p>\n

Do YOU have a story? Email Joshua.Haining@dailymail.co.uk<\/p>\n