Stand-out tree suffers damage as builders challenge preservation order

Persimmon, which is building 138 homes on farmland between Brown Bank Lane and Hawber Cote, is applying to completely fell the iconic ash tree, pictured above, which is protected by a preservation order. Since Persimmon's September application, the tree, which is thought to be around 150 years old and has escaped the ravages of ash die-back disease, lost a major arm, and half of its splendour, apparently in recent high winds.  

This picture above shows the tree in winter last year; the following picture shows how it is now after leaf-fall and limb severance.

The ash stood sentinel above two fields where four immensely popular public footpaths converge. The development will destroy all the pastoral charms that have been cherished by generations of local walkers. 

Above: a community walk in May, accompanied by a giant model of a curlew, celebrated the nature of the Hawber fields and lamented all that will be lost. The picture shows walkers and curlew on the footpath towards the ash tree newly in leaf. 

Meanwhile the Persimmon project proceeds apace. The pictures above and below show the site as viewed from the public footpath alongside the Bolton Road allotments. 

Finally, a pictorial reminder of how the site used to be.