logo
Homeowners at war with council over 45ft high 'Jack and the Beanstalk' oak tree as bosses refuse demands to cut it down despite fears it's a 'danger to life'

Homeowners at war with council over 45ft high 'Jack and the Beanstalk' oak tree as bosses refuse demands to cut it down despite fears it's a 'danger to life'

Daily Mail​06-06-2025
Homeowners living on a historic road are in a row with the council over a 'Jack and the Beanstalk' oak tree they say is a danger to them.
Residents living in the terraced properties in Winchester are surrounded by the 45 foot high tree and have branded the decision to issue a preservation order as 'grotesquely irresponsible'.
They claim the oak - which is still relatively young and grew six feet last year - was planted around 50 years ago by a previous resident who thought it was a 'good idea at the time'.
But it has continued to rapidly grow to the point that it is now 'out of proportion' to the surrounding properties and totally dominates the small garden it sits in.
The current homeowners Orla Williams, 40, and her partner moved into the terraced Grade II Listed home on Canon Street two years ago and applied to have the tree felled.
However, the Winchester County Council put a preliminary protection order on it and cited that it was 'appreciated' by the residents on a neighbouring street.
The decision has been slammed by neighbours - who live on one of Winchester's 'most prestigious roads' - who said that they are not the ones who will be forced to deal with the repercussions if it were to topple over.
The street, where the average house price is more than £600,000, is just yards from Kingsgate Street, and was where Admiral Nelson's mistress Lady Hamilton once lived.
The doctor said that after moving in, she was approached by several neighbours who raised concerns about the tree.
The mother-of-two said: 'They were concerned that it is getting very large and that it could cause damage to their properties and potentially harm to people if it gets any larger, so they wanted it to be taken down.
'We applied to the council to have it removed and someone came to look at it.
'[The tree officer] said that they want to put a tree protection order on it.'
The homeowner said that an 'awful lot of detritus' falls from the oak in the autumn and winter, and she is concerned about the droppings which fall down from wildlife like pigeons and squirrels.
She added: 'We appreciate that the tree is beautiful but it's the wrong tree in the wrong place.
'It is quite sad to remove something like that but it is only going to get bigger and potentially cause damage to lots of properties which is the main concern.
'The council said they were concerned about removing it because it's one of the only trees in the area.
'All of the local residents seem to be of the opinion that unfortunately, it's the wrong tree in the wrong place.'
According to a council report, the tree officer visited Ms Williams' address after receiving notice from the couple that it was due to be felled.
After visiting, he found that that tree met the criteria for a provisional protection order, which was issued in February of this year.
A Winchester County Council meeting will take place next week to confirm whether or not the order will remain in place.
In total nine residents objected to the order.
They all live in the centre of the cathedral city on roads which sit just yards away from Winchester College - the country's oldest public school and Rishi Sunak's alma mater.
Mark Pocock, a retired resident living on Canon Street, branded the council's decision to protect the tree as 'ludicrous'.
'As trees grow older they become more brittle,' he said.
'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 is grotesquely irresponsible of the council.
'It could be a danger to property and life.'
Nick Goff, 80, moved into his property on the road adjacent to Canon Street just over a year ago.
The retired British Airways pilot said he is worried that if the tree continues to go, the roots underneath will damage a medieval wall in his garden, which was built in the Tudor era.
Mr Goff said: 'The issue is that in 10 years' time, that will be double the height and double the width.
'It put on six feet last year it it's going to put on another six feet this year.'
The homeowner commissioned an independent report from a tree consultancy business who found the oak is still a 'teenager'.
The report found that while the tree is in 'good physiological condition', it is 'a large sized tree in a very small area' and so the tree protection order is 'unjustified'.
It also said that 'the possibility of longer term damage to the retaining walls and footings of the adjacent properties as entirely foreseeable'.
'Some guy planted this as something to do 40 years ago,' Mr Goff continued.
'Now, we have got Jack and the Beanstalk. It's not a historic tree, it's a silly mistake.'
The council report issued ahead of next week's meeting stated that the tree officer believed the concerns raised over the tree were 'speculative'.
It said that while it is 'not historic', the tree 'contributes meaningfully to local biodiversity and visual amenity'.
The report also stated that it is 'clearly visible' from residents living on a neighbouring private road, where it is 'appreciated'.
It added: 'It is also the last significant tree in an area of land between Canon Street and St Swithun's Street, enhancing the character of the conservation area.'
Retired resident Graham Rule, 62, said the decision by the local authority was 'irresponsible'.
He said: 'We all love trees but that shouldn't be there.
'The people who want the protection order, they don't live here - its totally irresponsible.'
Mr Rule said the tree was planted in the early 70s by a former resident.
He added: 'Like a lot of things, it seemed like a good idea at the time.
'I'm a huge fan of trees but at the end of the day that tree shouldn't be there.'
The conclusion of the tree officer's report stated that if the provisional TPO is not confirmed at the council meeting, it will be 'left vulnerable to being removed'.
The report added: 'The removal of this tree will have a detrimental impact on the biodiversity and also character of the conservation area.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Royal Family lead nation in remembering those who lost their lives in 7/7 terror attack 20 years ago
Royal Family lead nation in remembering those who lost their lives in 7/7 terror attack 20 years ago

The Sun

time30 minutes ago

  • The Sun

Royal Family lead nation in remembering those who lost their lives in 7/7 terror attack 20 years ago

THE Royal Family have lead commemorations to victims of the 7/7 bombings, 20 years on from the shocking terror attack. Royals have joined senior figures and survivors of the brutal bombings at a memorial service at St Paul's Cathedral in London today as they remember those who lost their lives. 7 7 7 52 people were killed, and more than 770 were injured, when four suicide bombers detonated explosives across three Tube trains and on one bus during rush hour in central London on July 7, 2005. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh - attending on behalf of the King - have been spotted at the National Service of Commemoration in the capital this morning. Other royals, including Prince William, are expected to join the touching service, dedicated to the 52 innocent victims of what were Britain's first suicide bombings. The King, today, called on the nation to remember the "extraordinary courage and compassion" in the face of the attacks. He said: "Today, as we mark 20 years since the tragic events of 7th July 2005, my heartfelt thoughts and special prayers remain with all those whose lives were forever changed on that terrible summer's day. "We remember with profound sadness the 52 innocent people who were killed in senseless acts of evil - and the enduring grief of their loved ones. "We recall, too, the hundreds more who carry physical and psychological scars, and pray that their suffering may ease as the years pass. "In doing so, we should also remember the countless stories of extraordinary courage and compassion that emerged from the darkness of that day. "The selfless bravery of our emergency services, transport workers, and fellow citizens who rushed towards danger to help strangers reminds us of the very best of humanity in the face of the very worst." King Charles has also called on the country to reaffirm its commitment to "building a society of all faiths and backgrounds, standing against those who seek to divide us". Inside 7/7 The story behind Britain's worst ever terror attack He also stressed the importance of communities coming together in times of difficulty. The monarch added: "While the horrors will never be forgotten, we may take comfort from the way such events rally communities together in solidarity, solace and determination. "It is this spirit of unity that has helped London, and our nation, to heal. "As we remember those we lost, let us therefore use this 20th anniversary to reaffirm our commitment to building a society where people of all faiths and backgrounds can live together with mutual respect and understanding, always standing firm against those who would seek to divide us." Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer echoed Charles' remarks, focusing on the sense of community against division. He said: "Today, the whole country will unite to remember the lives lost in the 7/7 attacks, and all those whose lives were changed forever. "We honour the courage shown that day- the bravery of the emergency services, the strength of survivors, and the unity of Londoners in the face of terror. "Those who tried to divide us failed. We stood together then, and we stand together now- against hate and for the values that define us of freedom, democracy and the rule of law." 7 7 7 Home Secretary Yvette Cooper added: "Twenty years have passed since 7/7 but the passage of time makes what happened that day no less shocking. "It was an appalling attack on our capital city and on democracy itself. "As we come together to mark this anniversary, my thoughts remain with the victims, survivors and all who loved them. "Amid the horror of that day, we saw the best of people, our emergency services, first responders and ordinary Londoners who bravely acted to help one another. Their courage continues to inspire us.

70 firefighters tackling fire on south London's Electric Avenue
70 firefighters tackling fire on south London's Electric Avenue

The Independent

time35 minutes ago

  • The Independent

70 firefighters tackling fire on south London's Electric Avenue

Some 70 firefighters have been called to a south London fire as a large plume of smoke could be seen billowing over a shopping street. Ten fire engines are also attending the blaze on Electric Avenue, Brixton, which appears to have started in a storage area behind the busy shopping street. Brixton tube station was temporarily closed on Monday morning as a result of the fire. Metropolitan police officers were at the scene, preventing people from accessing the street with a line of police tape while the London Fire Brigade worked. Firefighters could be seen heading in and out of several shops on Electric Avenue, trying to access a back area where the fire started. A large plume of smoke could be seen rising above the buildings on Monday morning. A fire engine with a long ladder could meanwhile be seen in use on Electric Lane, a small back alley behind the street which hosts Brixton market.

Brixton: fire closes tube station and people told to avoid area
Brixton: fire closes tube station and people told to avoid area

BBC News

time37 minutes ago

  • BBC News

Brixton: fire closes tube station and people told to avoid area

A fire has broken out at a building in Electric Avenue in Brixton, south London, forcing the closure of Brixton Underground Fire Brigade (LFB) said a storage area at the rear of a mixed-use building is alight and around 70 firefighters are on the closures are in place and people are being asked to avoid the said it was first alerted to the fire just after 09:40 BST and firefighters from Brixton, Peckham, Lambeth, West Norwood and surrounding fire stations were sent to the scene.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store