Thousands back bid to save two 'majestic' oak trees

More than 2,000 people have signed a petition to save two oak trees in Willow Drive, Billingshurst, which are to be removed after damage to a property

More than 2,000 people have signed a petition to save two oak trees in West Sussex which are to be felled after they were found to be damaging a nearby property.

Campaigners claim the trees in Willow Drive, Billingshurst, have been unfairly implicated in a subsidence claim by Axa Insurance.

Gabi Barrett, who launched the petition, is calling on the local authorities and the insurer to reconsider their decision as "majestic trees" are "vital to the community's ecosystem".

An Axa spokesperson said: "We are insurers to a policyholder whose home has been subject to serious subsidence over a number of years caused by nearby tree roots, including two oak trees on Willow Drive."

David Barker, who has lived in the area for 25 years, says he is shocked by the decision to remove the trees

Ms Barrett added the trees were a "living monument to the region's heritage, continuity and stability".

"The decision to fell these trees has been made on grounds that have not been sufficiently justified in the public interest," she added.

"Nothing should come at the cost of irreplaceable natural heritage."

David Barker, who has lived in the area for 25 years, told the BBC he was "shocked" by the decision to remove the trees.

"It's a great shame," he said. "They are the heritage of this area we need to preserve."

Councillor John Trollope, representing Billingshurst on Horsham District Council (HDC), urged Axa to "take a different approach".

"Firstly we should settle the claim the householders have and to save the trees which are vital to our local nature," he said.

An HDC spokesperson said: "The council can confirm consent was sought by an insurance company for the felling of two trees in Willow Drive.

"While the trees are mature in age they are not classified as veteran trees, as they do not meet the strict criteria."

The council added the insurance company provided "robust evidence" the trees "contributed to subsidence of a nearby property".

It said the local authority would be liable for any compensation costs should the application be refused, and it would come from already limited public funds.

Councillor John Trollope says the trees are vital to the local ecology

Billingshurst Parish Council said it acknowledged the trees were a "valued feature".

"The removal will take place following a request from a resident and their insurers, who raised concerns the trees were contributing to damage on their property," it added.

"Taking into account all of the circumstances, the advice of the parish council's own insurers is also to grant landlord's consent to the removal of the trees."

Axa told the BBC its priority was protect its customer's property and manage their risks.

It added the local authorities had decided "to remove the trees in question following multiple investigations by independent specialists".

Billingshurst Parish Council has plans to plant replacement trees this autumn, either at Willow Drive or another location.

A date has not been confirmed for the removal of the two oak trees.