Izzy Lepone 16 April 2025

Council issues order to protect remains of ancient oak

Council issues order to protect remains of ancient oak image
© venars.original / Shutterstock.com.

Enfield Council has issued an emergency preservation order to protect what remains of a 500-year-old oak tree that was partially felled by a pub chain.

The council initially sent a criminal damage report to the Met Police after discovering the tree had been cut back.

However, the police concluded that there was no evidence of misconduct.

Pub chain Mitchells & Butlers arranged for the ancient oak to be axed after an assessment revealed its wood was dead and posed a health and safety risk.

A spokesperson for the chain that owns Toby Carvery told the BBC: ‘We are grateful to our expert contractors for warning us of this hazard so swiftly, allowing us to act before anyone was harmed.’

‘This was an important action to protect our employees and guests as well as the wider general public, to whom we have a duty of care.’

Leader of Enfield Council Cllr Ergin Erbil said: 'We were recently made aware of the felling of an ancient oak tree in Whitewebbs Wood, which occurred on 3 April. The Council was not informed of this incident until last week. Our teams immediately carried out a full site inspection to assess the damage after receiving reports of the damage done to the tree.'

He added: 'We have now placed a legal protection (Tree Preservation Order) on the tree and are looking at ways to help it grow back.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Family Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 6 - £27,269 - £30,060 (Pay award pending)
Do you have a real passion for helping families to make positive changes for themselves and their children? This might be the right role for you!   WH Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Clerical Officer Receptionist

Durham County Council
Grade 3 £24,404 - £25,183 Pro Rata to hours worked Pay award pending
WHAT IS INVOLVED? We are looking to appoint a part time Clerical officer/Receptionist within Business Services to provide a professional, effective a Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Administration Assistant

Durham County Council
£25,584 - £27,711 pro rata
Administration Assistant Grade 5    £25,584 - £27,711 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31 December 2025 37 hours per week, Te Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Support Assistant

Durham County Council
£24,027 pro rata
Support Assistant Grade 1 £24,027 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31st October 2026 Part Time, 32.5 hours Mon - Fri 9am -4pm Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lecturer in Foundation Learning -Maths, English and Digital

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £34,314 - £37,938 pro rata for part-time term time working PAY AWARD PENDING
The DurhamLearn Foundation Learning programme area delivers Digital Skills, English and Maths Functional Skills.   An opportunity has arisen for a Lec Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner