Oak trees spared the axe after two-year battle

Three oak trees which are more than 300 years old have been spared the axe after a two-year battle over their fate.

Tolleshunt Knights Parish Council, in Essex, sought to fell the trees on the advice of its insurers, who said they may have been damaging the neighbouring village hall.

However, Maldon District Council said there was not enough evidence to prove this and refused the planning application.

Dog walker Ian Rice, who had long-campaigned against the proposals, said he was "absolutely over the moon" at the decision.

Thirty-five letters opposing the fellings were sent in response to the application, submitted by Catalyst Services UK.

Ruling against the applicant, the district council said removing the trees would "result in a significant detrimental impact" on how the playing field, in Top Road, looked.

"It has not been evidenced sufficiently that the trees subject of the application are the root cause of the subsidence to the village hall," it said.

The planning officer also stated alternative solutions aside from felling the trees had not been investigated.

Reacting to the decision, Rice, 76, said: "They're absolutely stunning trees.

"They're exactly what you'd expect an oak to look like. They're chunky and lovely."

He accused the parish council of being "hush, hush" about how it handled the proposal, adding: "Nobody's giving out information, it's been very secret squirrel."

Parish councillors previously said root barrier work would cost about £63,000 and only be effective for six years.

They feared being personally liable for the cost of any damage to the building, caused by the trees, and pointed to the village bowls club having to leave due to the subsidence.

Speaking to the BBC in July 2024, then-parish council chair Douglas Tungatt said he would "rather blow the hall up and keep the trees".

However, he insisted there was "no other choice" but to seek their felling.

The parish council was contacted to provide an updated comment.

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