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Woman parks car in front of tree to prevent it from being cut down in Highclere




A Highclere resident prevented a centuries-old tree from being cut down by parking her car in the way of tree surgeons.

Kate Green, who lives close to the oak tree in question, thought she had to act when she heard the revving of chainsaws on the morning of Monday, November 21.

She parked her vehicle in front of the tree, which is located near the old scout hut on Westridge, on a patch of land that she partly owns.

The centuries-old oak tree on Westridge in Highclere
The centuries-old oak tree on Westridge in Highclere

Mrs Green said: “It’s a very mature tree; I should think it’s probably a couple of hundred years old. It’s right on the side of the road and to my mind it is a very important visual amenity.

“Even the tree surgeons said it was a healthy and beautiful tree.

“You just can’t replace these trees. It would take at least 50 years for a tree to grow a similar size canopy. It’s just ridiculous to be cutting them down.”

The centuries-old oak tree on Westridge in Highclere
The centuries-old oak tree on Westridge in Highclere

The tree, now has a tree protection order (TPO) in place, meaning that it is protected for a minimum period of six months giving time for local residents to give their views either supporting or objecting the order.

After the six months is up, a tree officer from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council will make the final decision on whether the tree will remain legally protected or not.

Mrs Green had made contact with the borough council about getting a TPO put in place in October, so tree officers were already aware of the situation.

A Basingstoke and Deane spokesperson said: “The tree has been granted a temporary tree preservation order to protect it from removal as it was assessed as being of ‘good amenity value’, in terms of the contribution it makes to the landscape and to the character of the area.

The tree protection order
The tree protection order

“The mature oak tree also serves as an important habitat for wildlife in the area.

“Information from the Land Registry was used to contact the landowner about the temporary tree preservation order.”

Comments on whether the order should be made permanent can be made on the consultation that runs until Friday, May 26, 2023, by emailing trees@basingstoke.gov.uk.

Mrs Green added: “It’s a beautiful tree. It’s a visual amenity. It’s healthy. It will probably stand there for another hundred years helping with our environmental situation and it should be allowed to.”



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