Angry locals fear 'wonderful' oak tree could be toppled despite residents objecting to plans
An appeal has been made to remove the tree
Angry locals fear a "wonderful" oak tree could be toppled despite residents successfully objecting to plans to have it removed.
The “ancient” tree in the garden of an address on Lodge Road in Locks Heath, could be felled over safety concerns that it poses a risk to disabled children of a new property owner.
Residents are fighting to keep the tree with 28 formal objections submitted to Fareham Borough Council before the application was refused. But a subsequent appeal has now raised fears the tree will be removed.
Tim Saunders, 48, said: “In December 2025 we successfully objected to this wonderful tree being felled but there is now an appeal.
“We did not expect to keep having to fight this and now find that we are powerless to object now that it's gone to the government.
“For the past decade my young family and I have lived in Church Close and really appreciate the view of the ancient oak tree from our dining room window.”
Tim said he was advised there would be a database of protected trees but has not heard any more about this.
He also wrote a poem about the tree, describing it as "old, tall, luscious, and green, providing a wonderful canopy for all manner of creatures unseen”. He said “so many don’t value the importance of each and every tree”.
He added: "When a home-owner objects they then take it to the government and little people like us can't do anything about it.”
Tim said the oak tree predates the property, which was built in the 1960s. Objections said there was a lack of evidence the tree poses a danger or is causing structural damage.
Many residents argued that the tree preservation order was established to preserve trees of high environmental and community value.
One objector said: "This tree is most important for the environment and wildlife in the local area”.
Fareham Borough Council refused the application in January, saying there was "insufficient evidence to justify the removal of this protected oak tree and harmful to the visual amenity and character of the area”.
The full application can be found on the Fareham Borough Council planning portal using reference P/25/1521/TO.