OAK trees planted in a mediaeval chapel that was once the scene of murder are to be removed, Dartmoor National Park Authority has decided.
Five oak trees were planted in the chapel ruins about 130-years-ago but now Dartmoor National Park has agreed they should be removed and the stone building at Gidleigh consolidated.
The remains of the building were listed Grade 11 in 1987 as a disused 13th century and 14th century chapel.
Peter White, deputy National Park officer, said in a report last week: 'The building has been identified as the chapel of "la Wallen" dedicated to the Virgin Mary, which was desecrated in 1328 by the committing of a murder within its walls.
'It was subsequently abandoned, but altered in the 16th and 17th century and converted into a cattle house.
'About 130 years ago, five oak trees were planted within what must then have been a roofless structure.
Even at the time of listing, the structure was in poor condition, he said.
'In order to preserve what remains of a very unusual building, the oak trees would have to be removed and the walls of the building consolidated.
'The removal of the oak trees would have no adverse effect on landscape or nature conservation interests, although some concerns about their loss, which have been linked to the rather unusual history of the building, have been expressed by a couple of members of the public.'
He continued: 'Although listed, the condition of the structure at the time of listing and the impossibility of its ever being other than a roofless ruin would render unreasonable the enforcing of a commitment on the owner to carry out the necessary works.'
The estimated cost of the works, including the tree surgery is in the region of £4,000.
There is no public access to the chapel; but there is a public footpath within 100 metres of it and it is anticipated that an access agreement might be secure with the owner, said Mr White.
l The 'Story of an Ancient Chapel' by a former Rector of Gidleigh, the Rev J Rawson, reprinted from 'Devon and Cornwall Notes and Queries', 1920, refers to 'the trial of a clerk named Robert de Middelcote by the King's Justice Thomas de Stouforde the elder of Chageforde for the following crimes: That on the 28th March, 1328, he had maltreated a certain Agnes, daughter of Roger the Miller, in the Chapel of the Blessed Mary the Virgin, in addition to which he had murdered the child of the said Agnes'.