Campaign by neighbours to protect threatened trees

Dean Scopes said trees across the country were at risk

Neighbours are campaigning to prevent the felling of six protected trees that have been blamed for cracks in a bungalow.

An insurance firm has applied to remove tree preservation orders (TPOs) from the five oaks and a lime tree in Fareham, Hampshire.

However, the owners of the trees, situated in adjoining properties, said insurers were pursuing a cheap remedy without regard for the environment.

Insurer Direct Line said the trees were "causing ongoing subsidence issues" to a house owned by one of its customers.

The bungalow, in Southmead Road, has a large number of cracks including one nearly 6mm wide, the loss adjuster said.

Initially, vegetation was not thought to be causing subsidence, according to an engineering report given to Fareham Borough Council.

However, a subsequent arboricultural report blamed miscellaneous tree roots for drying out the soil.

The loss adjuster told the council felling would cost £5,500.

However, it said if the council refused to remove the TPOs, it could seek up to £130,500 in compensation for subsequent damage to the bungalow.

Mr Scopes' two oak trees stand behind a bungalow with reported subsidence

Dean Scopes, whose home is behind the affected property, said the firm had written a "strongly worded" letter telling him to fell two oak trees in his back garden once the TPOs were quashed.

He said: "This is an example in my opinion of a large insurance company, hiding behind its loss adjuster who is financially driven to... fell historic trees rather than look for other perhaps more costly alternatives to deal with subsidence.

"This must stop else we will continue to lose beautiful trees, not only in Fareham but all over the country."

One objector on the council website said the lime tree was one of only 200 of its kind in England.

In a report to councillors, who are set to meet on 11 September, Fareham Borough Council's tree officers said: "Officers conclude that regrettably consent should be granted to remove the oak tree to prevent ongoing damage to property and avoid potential financial claims against the council."

In August, the leader of the council, Simon Martin, wrote to the government urging new laws to make tree felling a "last resort" in cases of reported subsidence.

He said alternatives should be explored, such as installing underground root barriers.

Direct Line confirmed it was "in discussions" with Fareham Borough Council regarding a tree preservation order.

"Appointed surveyors have confirmed that several identified trees are causing ongoing subsidence issues to the home of one of our customers.

"We have engaged all the necessary parties and we are awaiting a final decision from the council, which will determine how we proceed.”

Previously, the Association of British Insurers said felling was not its default solution to protect homes.

In a statement, it said: "It is a balance between preserving greenery, while ensuring that homeowners can get competitively priced home insurance, not least because without it their mortgage could be at risk."