Thousands back bid to protect historic oak trees

Michael Pearce wants to secure protection orders for five trees near High Halstow

A councillor says he is battling to save five oak trees in Kent which he believes could be felled if road-widening works go ahead.

Councillor Michael Pearce, from Medway Council, wants protection orders for the trees, in Christmas Lane, on the Hoo Peninsula, near High Halstow.

Mr Pearce said plans by Redrow Homes to widen a road as part of a new housing development would see the trees cut down.

A spokesperson for Redrow called information in the petition "misleading", and said it would review all comments on the planning application and make any necessary changes once the consultation period has ended.

Redrow recently submitted new documents detailing its plans to widen the road as part of its planning application for 760 homes.

Mr Pearce's petition for tree protection orders was launched on 13 May and has already gained more than 2,700 signatures, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reports.

The petition also wants Redrow to adapt its designs and put in a cycle path and footpath in Christmas Lane instead of their current proposals for road widening.

Four of the trees which Mr Pearce wants to protect are not within the boundaries of the planning application area, but he says Redrow's proposals for widening Christmas Lane could still threaten the trees.

"Five majestic and magnificent oak trees in High Halstow are under threat from being felled," he said.

"It's within Medway Council's power to stop this environmental vandalism and to protect wildlife and our local landscape."

'Carefully assessing'

A spokesperson for Redrow said it would be unable to remove any of the trees without permission from the council.

They said: "The information in the petition is largely misleading.

"We would not remove any trees without the approval of Medway Council, who would also be responsible for any tree protection orders.

"We will continue to work with Medway Council on our planning application, reviewing all comments and making any updates, following the consultation period."

A spokesperson for Medway Council said the the authority was "carefully assessing" the planning application before recommending to the planning committee that the proposals are approved or refused.

Residents are able to give their thoughts on the plans until 7 June.