Latest news with #PaulHackney
BBC News
13 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Fearful neighbour's bid to chop down oak tree blocked
A 60ft tree looming over village homes has been saved from the chop after objections to it being Hackney, whose thatched cottage is nearest to the oak in Sleepy Lane, Kings Newton, had applied for planning consent to cut down the tree he fears could fall and crush his South Derbyshire District Council planners refused his application to axe the tree, which he does not own, planted in the place of an ancient oak at the site in three neighbours had backed the plan there were 77 objection letters, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service, along with opposition from Melbourne Parish Council, Melbourne Civic Society and the Kings Newton Residents Association. Under planning law, applicants do not need to be the owner of a site or property to apply for planning permission, although ownership is required to enact any potential subsequent Hackney claimed the "nuisance" oak had "outgrown its position" and caused blockages in the sewer network as well as pushing up nearby tarmac and blocking told the council meeting the potential for the tree to fall on his thatched cottage was a "frightening prospect". But John Jackson, chair of the Kings Newton Residents Association, said the oak was healthy, could live for several centuries, and "doesn't demonstrate any reasonable risk".He said the original ancient oak had formed the meeting spot for village elders for many Amy Wheelton dubbed the oak "beautiful" while her council colleague Andrew Kirke said there was "no reason to chop down such a healthy specimen".
Scottish Sun
13 hours ago
- General
- Scottish Sun
Our village is at war over 60ft oak tree – I live in darkness & fear it'll crush my home… but I can't chop it down
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) VILLAGERS at war with a nightmare 60ft tree have lost their latest battle to get it chopped down. Plans to fell the protected oak, which sits just metres from thatched cottages in Kings Newton, South Derbyshire, have been axed. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Plans to fell the protected oak in Kings Newton, South Derbyshire, have been axed Credit: Facebook Residents living next to the "frightening" behemoth in Sleepy Lane have fumed that it could crush their homes. They claim it also causes major sewage issues, problems with the road surface and blocks huge amounts of natural light. It was planted 34 years ago after a 109-year-old tree in the same spot was deemed to be in a dangerous condition and felled. DerbyshireLive reported that the sleepy village is divided by the new oak, which sits next to a public footpath leading into the picturesque countryside. Paul Hackney, whose house is dwarfed by the 30-foot-wide tree, saw his proposal to have it cut down rejected earlier this week. Almost 80 rejection letters were submitted at a South Derbyshire District Council meeting. Opposition was led by Melbourne Parish Council and the Kings Newton Residents Association. The "nuisance" tree is expected to reach 300 years old, much to the horror of some locals. Mr Hackney told how the shrub had proved to be a hazard to vehicles after it was recently hit by an Ocado delivery van. He said: "Ultimately it is a tree that has outgrown its position. "It would be better for the residents to resolve the issue and be involved in the future planning of a new tree (if required) without the understandable stress and worry of the current situation." But John Jackson, chair of the residents association, argued that the oak was healthy and did not pose a risk. We're trapped in tiny village after travellers BULLDOZED field for caravan camp Councillors understood the frustrations of locals living in its shadow, but defended keeping the "healthy" tree. Cllr Andrew Kirke said: 'I do have some sympathy for the neighbours. "We have many very large trees but we can't just chop them down in case there is a strong wind. 'We have lots of periods of strong wind while it has been there and trees have fallen down but it has stayed up through all of that. "There is no reason to chop down such a healthy specimen.' Cllr Jayne Davies added: 'It is such a glorious tree. "It has a tree preservation order for a reason and the applicant can come back for a crown or lift or another suitable solution.' It comes as a similar 'Jack and the beanstalk' tree continues to frustrate homeowners in Winchester, Hampshire. 3 A similar 45ft oak continues to frustrate homeowners in Hampshire Credit: Solent Locals in Canon Street slammed the "grotesquely irresponsible" and "ludicrous" 45 foot high oak. But now it has branched into an "out of proportion" eyesore which overshadows the gardens of nearby properties - where the average house price is more than £600,000. However, the council have refused to cut it down and placed it under a protection order. The authorities said residents from a neighbouring street "appreciated" the tree. The decision has sparked outrage among locals who are actually dealing with the daily repercussions of such an overwhelming tree. South Derbyshire District Council has been approached for comment.
The Sun
13 hours ago
- General
- The Sun
Our village is at war over 60ft oak tree – I live in darkness & fear it'll crush my home… but I can't chop it down
VILLAGERS at war with a nightmare 60ft tree have lost their latest battle to get it chopped down. Plans to fell the protected oak, which sits just metres from thatched cottages in Kings Newton, South Derbyshire, have been axed. 3 Residents living next to the "frightening" behemoth in Sleepy Lane have fumed that it could crush their homes. They claim it also causes major sewage issues, problems with the road surface and blocks huge amounts of natural light. It was planted 34 years ago after a 109-year-old tree in the same spot was deemed to be in a dangerous condition and felled. DerbyshireLive reported that the sleepy village is divided by the new oak, which sits next to a public footpath leading into the picturesque countryside. Paul Hackney, whose house is dwarfed by the 30-foot-wide tree, saw his proposal to have it cut down rejected earlier this week. Almost 80 rejection letters were submitted at a South Derbyshire District Council meeting. Opposition was led by Melbourne Parish Council. The "nuisance" tree is expected to reach 300 years old, much to the horror of some locals. Mr Hackney told how the shrub had proved to be a hazard to vehicles after it was recently hit by an Ocado delivery van. He said: "Ultimately it is a tree that has outgrown its position. "It would be better for the residents to resolve the issue and be involved in the future planning of a new tree (if required) without the understandable stress and worry of the current situation." But John Jackson, chair of the residents association, argued that the oak was healthy and did not pose a risk. We're trapped in tiny village after travellers BULLDOZED field for caravan camp Councillors understood the frustrations of locals living in its shadow, but defended keeping the "healthy" tree. Cllr Andrew Kirke said: 'I do have some sympathy for the neighbours. "We have many very large trees but we can't just chop them down in case there is a strong wind. 'We have lots of periods of strong wind while it has been there and trees have fallen down but it has stayed up through all of that. "There is no reason to chop down such a healthy specimen.' Cllr Jayne Davies added: 'It is such a glorious tree. "It has a tree preservation order for a reason and the applicant can come back for a crown or lift or another suitable solution.' It comes as a similar 'Jack and the beanstalk' tree continues to frustrate homeowners in Winchester, Hampshire. 3 Locals in Canon Street slammed the "grotesquely irresponsible" and "ludicrous" 45 foot high oak. But now it has branched into an "out of proportion" eyesore which overshadows the gardens of nearby properties - where the average house price is more than £600,000. However, the council have refused to cut it down and placed it under a protection order. The authorities said residents from a neighbouring street "appreciated" the tree. The decision has sparked outrage among locals who are actually dealing with the daily repercussions of such an overwhelming tree. South Derbyshire District Council has been approached for comment.
