Thousands back bid to save two ‘majestic’ oak trees

By Gbam Godwin On Aug 28, 2025

Thousands back bid to save two ‘majestic’ oak trees.

More than 2,000 people have signed a petition to save two oak trees in West Sussex that are about to be felled after causing damage to a neighbouring property.

Campaigners believe that Axa Insurance’s subsidence claim unfairly includes the trees on Willow Drive in Billingshurst.

Gabi Barrett, the petition’s initiator, is urging local officials and the insurer to reconsider their decision because “majestic trees” are “vital to the community’s ecosystem”. A spokeswoman for Axa responded:

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“We are insurers to a policyholder whose home has been subject to serious subsidence over a number of years caused by nearby tree roots, including two oak trees on Willow Drive.”

BBC/Sam Dixon-French David Barker, wearing a light purple shirt and a grey vest, sitting on a white sofa inside his living room. — David Barker, who has lived in the area for 25 years, says he is shocked by the decision to remove the trees

Ms Barrett noted that the trees were a “living monument to the region’s heritage, continuity, and stability”. “The decision to fell these trees has been made on grounds that have not been sufficiently justified in the public interest,” according to her.

“Nothing should come at the cost of irreplaceable natural heritage.” David Barker, who has lived in the neighbourhood for 25 years, told the BBC that he was “shocked” by the decision to destroy the trees. “It’s a great shame,” he remarked.

“They are the heritage of this area we need to preserve.” Councillor John Trollope, who represents Billingshurst on Horsham District Council (HDC), encouraged Axa to “take a different approach”.

“Firstly we should settle the claim the householders have and to save the trees which are vital to our local nature,” he told me.

An HDC representative stated, “The council can confirm that consent was sought by an insurance company for the felling of two trees in Willow Drive.

“While the trees are mature in age they are not classified as veteran trees, as they do not meet the strict criteria.” According to the municipality, the insurance company submitted “robust evidence” that the trees “contributed to subsidence of a nearby property”.

It stated that if the application is denied, the local authorities will be accountable for any compensation expenses, which will be paid from already restricted public finances.

BBC/Sam Dixon-French Councillor John Trollope standing in front of the two oak trees in Willow Drive, Billingshurst. He is wearing a grey shirt and standing in front of demonstration placards, calling on the insurer Axa not to fell the trees.

Billingshurst Parish Council stated that the trees were a “valued feature”. “The removal will take place following a request from a resident and their insurers, who raised concerns the trees were contributing to damage on their property,” according to the statement.

“Taking into account all of the circumstances, the advice of the parish council’s own insurers is also to grant landlord’s consent to the removal of the trees.” Axa told the BBC that its top focus was protecting its customers’ property and managing their risks.

It went on to say that the local authorities had decided “to remove the trees in question following multiple investigations by independent specialists”.

Billingshurst Parish Council intends to plant replacement trees this autumn, either at Willow Drive or another location.

A date has not been confirmed for the removal of the two oak trees.