Fury After 'Protected' Oak Tree Felled in W3

Only stump remains of ancient tree

Ealing Council has launched an investigation after a 300-year-old Oak tree in Acton - protected by a preservation order - was chopped down.

The tree (viewed on the right) was something of a feature at 79 Gunnersbury Lane - however all that now remains is the stump.

It's claimed that developers working on the site applied to pollard the Oak but in summer proceeded to fell it completely.

Writing on the W3 Forum Mike Collins said:

''It's a shocking abuse of the system, they applied for pollarding and they have felled it.
The case has has been reported to planning, and is under investigation, this needs the weight of public opinion to get it moving.''

Cllr Jon Ball, Lib Dem candidate for Ealing Central and Acton says:

''It's shocking that this ancient tree has been destroyed. The Council should enforceTree Protection Orders much more strongly to preserve the finest trees in Acton and elsewhere in the Borough for future generations.''

Complaints have been made to the council's planning department and a spokesperson said:

'' This particular Oak tree was privately owned and removed by private contractors. We can confirm that a tree preservation order was in place and that we did not grant permission for this removal.  A planning investigation into this matter is already ongoing.''

There are 941 tree preservation orders in place across the borough. A preservation order can be for a specific tree or for a collection of trees in a given area.

A maximum  fine of £20,000 can be given to those convicted of breaking such an order.

Read more on Tree orders here

3rd December 2014