Campaigners celebrate victory for 100-year-old oak

Campaigners applauded from the public gallery as councillors made their decision

Campaigners battling to save a 100-year-old oak tree celebrated after councillors refused to withdraw its legal protection.

Concerns had been raised about the 60-ft (18-m) tree causing subsidence at properties in Horndon-on-the-Hill, Essex.

However, Thurrock Council's planning committee was applauded as members defied a report and did not lift a tree preservation order (TPO).

Resident Julian Vereker said the decision had "delighted" many people.

The holm oak, an evergreen broadleaf tree, is rooted in the grounds of a listed building near Saffron Close.

The oak tree is 60ft (18m) tall and more than 100 years old

Planning officers told the council it could be liable for £45,000 costs to underpin the tree, while an engineer warned that figure could rise to £180,000.

In their report, the engineer said a nearby affected property was in danger of "imminent collapse".

But councillors refused to lift the TPO, saying its value to residents outweighed the risk of future costs.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service after the meeting, Mr Vereker said it was "a victory for what is right".

"We all want to recognise our local councillors for being brave and doing the right thing in the face of nasty intimidation."

'Iconic'

The tree survived a previous bid to fell it eight years ago over concerns about subsidence.

During the latest debate, resident Peter Woodard said the tree was "iconic" in the village.

"Do not be like the despised vandals who cut down the tree from the Sycamore Gap," he urged councillors.

Conservative councillor Jacqui Maney also said felling the tree would have been morally and ethically "appalling".