Cowfold oak tree to be felled despite protests

A 100-year-old oak tree in the village of Cowfold is to be felled, despite protests from the local community.

Insurance company Direct Line Group has blamed the tree for causing subsidence to a nearby house and called for it to be chopped down.

Cowfold Parish Council voted to carry out the felling at a meeting on 13 January, but campaigners have said they want an emergency meeting to be held on Thursday to discuss further options.

In a statement, the parish council said: "It is with a heavy heart that the parish council announces the reluctant withdrawal of our objection to the felling of an oak tree situated on parish council land."

Gabi Barrett, of the Save Cowfold Oaks group, said: "As before it is likely that the local residents will try to resist any attempt to fell the tree."

Joanne Knowles, councillor for Cowfold, Shermanbury and West Grinstead Ward, who was at the meeting said: "The vote was reluctantly taken by the parish councillors to give Direct Line, and their agent Keogh, permission to fell the tree.

"I understand the group trying to protect the tree have raised funds for a root barrier survey and if the surveyor thinks this is appropriate and Direct Line accept it then they will crowdfund for the works which will protect the tree."

A spokesperson from Direct Line said that, ultimately, it was the parish council's decision following an independent ecology assessment.

The insurers said under their customer's policy they were obliged to address the subsidence issue.

A Direct Line spokesperson said: "It is worth remembering that there is a homeowner who is being considerably impacted and repairs to their home can only begin once the underlying cause has been resolved."

The parish council said the decision had not been taken lightly, but that they must "consider the financial implications and responsibilities".

It said continuing to oppose the felling of the tree "would result in significant expense and potential liability for any further damage caused to the neighbouring property."

It also said it intends to draw up a comprehensive policy of tree planting to replace any trees that are deemed necessary to fell in the future.

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