2 days ago
Residents' fury as council saves ‘Jack and the Beanstalk' tree
Residents in Winchester have said they are 'extremely angry' after a council voted to protect a 'Jack and the Beanstalk' oak tree they say is dangerous.
People living on one of the Hampshire city's most prestigious roads called the decision to issue a preservation order on the 45ft tree 'grotesquely irresponsible' and 'ludicrous'.
Officials unanimously approved the order after hearing of the 'biodiversity value' the oak has to Canon Street, which is near Winchester Cathedral.
Dr Sandra Steel, who lives nearby, spoke for residents at the Winchester city council planning meeting on Wednesday.
According to the BBC, she said the tree's spreading roots 'cause structural damage', adding that 'our historic houses are particularly vulnerable'.
On hearing the verdict, Dr Steel said: 'You are waiting for our houses to fall down, I guess.' She said [residents] all 'feel extremely angry' and called the decision 'quite ridiculous', adding: 'An oak tree belongs to an open area or a forest, not in gardens of historic houses.'
The o ak tree was planted about 50 years ago and grew by 6ft last year. Residents have said it is 'out of proportion' to the surrounding properties and dominates the small garden in which it sits.
When the current homeowners applied to have the tree felled, the council put a preliminary protection order on it, saying it was 'appreciated' by residents on a neighbouring street and was nice to look at.
Mark Pocock, another resident, previously called the decision to protect the tree 'ludicrous', adding: 'If it were to fall and damage properties or persons, I would say the responsibility would be entirely with the council – not the owners of those properties.
'I think putting a tree protection order on it is grotesquely irresponsible. It could be a danger to property and life.'
Nick Goff, who moved into his property on an adjacent road just over a year ago, added: 'The issue is that in 10 years that will be double the height and double the width. It put on 6ft last year, and it's going to put on another 6ft this year.
'Some guy planted this as something to do 40 years ago. Now, we have got Jack and the Beanstalk. It's not a historic tree – it's a silly mistake.'
During the planning meeting, John Bartlett, the local authority's tree officer, said the oak was 'one of the last remaining significant trees' in that area.
He told councillors: 'It has a significant biodiversity value supporting many different species. A mature oak tree can support up to 2,300 species, possibly more, when it reaches maturity, and its importance is only increased by the fact that it's in this urban landscape.'
