Rochford Holt Farm Oak Tree protests continue

Holt Farm Oak Tree has been at the centre of discussion after the mature tree, based on Ashingdon Road in Rochford, and was due to be chopped down on Monday morning.

This is after developer Bloor Homes won its battle to build 662 new homes nearby, and bosses say the tree needs to be removed for a new road layout.

READ MORE >> Developer seeking High Court injunction if protests at 100-year-old tree continue

However, campaigners moved into the tree on a platform last Thursday in a bid to prevent it from being axed and are still on site, and up the tree.

A spokesman for the Save Holt Farm Oak Tree said: “Our beautiful oak tree has lived to see another day.

“Well done everyone.

“Our first amazing tree dweller came down after four nights up our tree yesterday, she is a hero.

“We now have a new tree dweller."

The road was due to be closed on Monday until Wednesday for the removal of the tree, after a fence was placed around the protesters and tree by developers on Friday.

Yesterday, Bloor Homes bosses have now said if they are unable to continue with the tree’s safe removal, they will be seeking a High Court injunction within 24 hours.

They also confirmed they delivered, by hand, a letter to the protesters explaining their next steps.

A spokesman said: “Should we be unable to continue with the tree’s safe removal, in the interest of all stakeholders, we regret that we will be seeking a High Court injunction in order to do so, and this will be delivered to the court in the next 24 hours.

“Yesterday morning, a letter was hand-delivered to protestors outlining our next steps should they decide not to vacate the area. During this time the protestors raised a number of questions to which we have given a full and comprehensive answer.

“We have all of the requisite permissions to remove the tree and issuing proceedings for an injunction is a last resort, after engagement through written correspondence with the protestors was unsuccessful.”