AS STORM Eunice gets stronger, a man who owns a property in Oakley is losing his sleep over a Walnut tree which he believes will fall on top of a Doctor’s Surgery if not trimmed or cut down immediately.

Gregory Mullins, from Shepperton, who has a property in Fairview Meadow in Oakley, believes the 80-year-old tree would fall over the Oakley Surgery located just metres away.

However, his two applications to the Basingstoke council to cut the tree have been rejected by officers who do not believe there is sufficient evidence that the structural condition of the tree is poor.

READ MORE: Live updates as Storm Eunice hits Hampshire

“My heart is in my mouth ever since I heard about Storm Eunice,” Greg said.

“Parts of East Oakley are due to have 75mph winds come through. I hold my breath with 50mph, but 75mph is beyond thinking about.

“Even if it doesn’t come down with this storm, the tree will lose its strength and will fall soon because of the Honey Fungus infection.

“One day a young mum could walk into the surgery with a newborn and the tragedy could happen then.”

Greg said the tree will fall on a Scottish and Southern Electric (SSE) Network power line which would cause further harm.

He has contacted SSE and local MPs Kit Malthouse and Maria Miller expressing his concerns.

“SSE is currently in the process of applying to trim the tree on one side and is awaiting a response from the Basingstoke TPO (Tree Preservation Order) team, where they will need to inspect the tree before permission is granted and trimming can commence.

“This ‘trimming’ will do nothing to the safety of the tree falling on both the surgery and the 13,000-Volt power line, but is the maximum they can do to stop branches flying into the lines.”

He has also had a professional tree surgeon look at the Walnut tree.

“The surgeon assessed the tree and gave a report saying it is best to cut down the tree. But the officers said they won’t let me do it. If they are so obsessed with the tree I am happy that it be cut within 15 metres high. But I don’t think it will be safe for the doctor’s surgery.

“All the other trees on our property that have fallen in high winds over the years have fallen in an easterly direction. So our anxiety is borne out of the vast experience.”

Greg believes the TPO was issued on the Walnut Tree in the early 90s to prevent further development on the property.

The local residents are also objecting to the plan to cut the tree.

“I can’t get my head around it,” Greg said.

“They walk near this tree every day and can see its condition. I only care about public safety and welfare.”

SEE ALSO: Storm Eunice: Power cuts affecting Basingstoke households

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Interim Head of Environment and Community Services Rob Draper said: “A tree preservation order was placed on the walnut tree in 1989 because it makes an important contribution to the rural character of that part of Oakley.

“In April 2021 an application to cut down the tree was submitted to the council stating that it was suffering from honey fungus. Our tree officer inspected the tree and requested further technical evidence be supplied to determine the extent and nature of the damage to the tree.

“To date, no satisfactory arboricultural justification has been presented to the council to justify cutting down the tree.”

Oakley Surgery refused to comment. 

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