Although subject to a Tree Preservation Order, two trees in this beautiful avenue of healthy mature oak trees on Guttridge Lane in Tadley, Hampshire have already been felled by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) 'at the request of a third party insurer' (presumably that of a nearby homeowner as damage to property is mentioned).  BDBC have also confirmed that further trees on this site are under imminent threat of the same fate.

Tadley has a wealth of mature trees, some of them registered as of historical importance, and they are a characteristic that makes Tadley such a great place to live.  Losing such magnificent trees would have detrimental effects upon biodiversity, animal habitat and appearance for all residents. At a time when Climate Emergency is being declared, councils need to respond with long term solutions, not knee-jerk reactions. 

Further to a very similar threat to the New Road Oak Tree (again a request for felling from a third party insurer) the unequivocal community response was that the tree should stay. The response we had to that campaign was overwhelming; please make the voice of these trees heard this time. It would appear that BDBC are not hearing the voice of the community; please add your voice and protect these trees..

Please sign and share this petition to support our campaign.  In the absence of a very clear community voice the Guttridge Lane oaks are under imminent threat of destruction, and all the mature oak trees standing near developments (particularly those built from the 1960s onwards) are under a very real threat of a similar fate.

We feel very strongly that decisions of this nature should not be made without consultation of residents. These trees are a visible reminder of our local. social history, are a valuable amenity asset and environmental wealth. In a time when so many habitats are under threat, it is wrong that a tree can be destroyed so seemingly casually.

Thank you.