An oak tree in Segensworth is set to be cut down in a controversial decision which prevented the council from shelling out tens of thousands of pounds.

An insurance company asked that an oak tree be chopped down after cracking was found on the inside of a house in Hill Croft. The firm’s survey found the tree was drying out the area by removing water and that had caused subsidence.

But objectors argued the plan should not be the ‘starting point for insurance companies’.

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Daily Echo: A still of the oak tree in question from planning documents A still of the oak tree in question from planning documents (Image: LDR)

Chairman of Fareham Borough Council's planning committee, Councillor Nick Walker (Con, Portchester West) said no one wants to take responsibility.

His concern was that if the decision was delayed and the house damaged further, the council might have to pay out tens of thousands of pounds to repair damages.

Among those who spoke up in support of saving the tree were residents, councillors and MP Suella Braverman, who asked for the decision to be deferred to explore alternatives.

Fareham’s mayor Councillor Fred Birkett (Con, Fareham North West) said 2,500 saplings would be needed to replace the one tree.

He said: “In our (Fareham Borough Council’s) 50th year, we need to stand up and say no to unnecessary tree felling and force insurance companies to look at alternative solutions. We need to be pioneers.”

The oak tree is 5.5 meters away from the house, and on land owned by the Office of National Statistics ONS which is opposite.

The tree officer said that while the tree could be causing the damage, it could also be another oak tree further away. He said the root systems of oaks can impact a 20-metre area around them.

It was agreed by the committee that 1.5-metre foundations dug in the area in 1985 were inadequate.

Mr Bishop, a neighbour and supporter of keeping the Oak tree, said in 1999 there were 30 trees with a protection order in the area and now just 12 are left. He said:  “It’s ironic that the Conservative party’s logo is an oak tree.”

Objector Laura Ancell said remaining trees nearby had a collective value of £438,000. She also said the tree couldn’t be felled because of nesting birds and bats so it made sense to defer by a month.

But the planning committee granted permission for a protection order to be removed so the oak tree could be cut down.

It will be replaced by a Himalayan Birch tree of at least 16cm girth and the council had to be notified five days before the tree was cut down to make sure no animals were disturbed.