A plan to save nine much-loved palm trees on the promenade of a coastal resort has been agreed by councillors.
The roots of two Canary Island palms at Weymouth, Dorset, had begun causing structural damage, prompting plans to replace them with smaller cabbage palms.
But more than 1,000 people signed a petition against their removal, with some describing them as “iconic”.
Weymouth Town Council has now agreed a new, cheaper solution which involves pruning the roots and installing a root barrier to prevent them causing further damage.
Campaigner Caz Dennett, from Weymouth, said: “We are absolutely delighted.
“There was an outpouring of love and joy for the palms from the councillors and the officers.
“They are so lovely – there seemed no good reason to kill off beautiful, healthy trees.”
The town council said the palm trees, planted in 2012 ahead of the Olympic Games, had grown significantly, damaging the stone planters, pavement and road.
But the original plan to remove the two largest palms prompted an outcry.
The council subsequently agreed to move the trees to replace two dead palms at the King’s Statue, with the total cost reaching £20,000.
In a meeting of the environment and services committee on Wednesday, councillors agreed the new plan to leave all nine palm trees in their current positions.
The work will cost £6,000, although the committee papers acknowledged: “There is always a chance that the palm trees will not survive following our interventions but… leaving the situation to get worse is not an option”.
In a round-up of the meeting, the authority said: “Councillors also agreed that any replacement of palm trees along the promenade in the future is done with Canary palms where feasible.
“Officers will speak to Dorset Council regarding replacement of the two palms at the King’s Statue if there are funds to support this.”
