TREES will be removed from the site of a housing development to clear out asbestos in the ground.

The Wolvercote Paper Mill is being developed into a housing estate, with permission to build up to 190 homes granted in 2013.

Asbestos has now been detected in the soil at the site during groundworks.

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A report considered Oxford City Council’s west area planning committee on Tuesday described the asbestos as ‘sufficient to present a potential human health risk’.

The committee approved a planning application which will see a line of trees removed from the west of the site, so the asbestos can be wholly removed from the ground.

A total of 58 trees will be removed from the western boundary of the site, which borders on a street called Home Close.

In their place, 132 replacement trees will be planted.

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The committee was told these replacement trees will be made up of native British species, rather than the current Cypress and Plane trees which grow there.

Colin Cook, the planning committee’s chair said: “It is clearly a good solution and the site will benefit from replanting.”

Anyone who wants to view the application should visit Oxford City Council’s planning webpage and search reference : 19/02685/RES