Cossington villagers campaign to save Churchill’s oak tree

A village in Leicestershire is fighting to save a 60-year-old oak tree. The tree was planted in 1967 to honor Sir Winston Churchill. Plans for a housing development were approved in April 2022, and these plans require the tree to be cut down for access to the site. Residents in Cossington have been campaigning for two years to protect the oak tree. They believe it is an important symbol of history. Campaigners have even grown a sapling from one of the tree's acorns. If the tree must be removed, they hope to turn the trunk into a sculpture or bench to remember it. Developer Bellway Homes purchased the land with permissions that included the removal of the tree. They say the tree's removal is necessary for safety and access. Penny Weston-Webb, who attended the tree's planting, expressed her sadness about possibly losing such an important landmark. James Poland, the county councillor, has been in discussions with Bellway and local councils but has not found a way to save the tree. He encourages further dialogue to explore alternatives. Emma Crowe from the parish council also hopes to preserve the trunk as a memory of Churchill if the tree is cut down. Bellway Homes stated that keeping the tree would require changes to safety standards set by the highways authority, which they do not believe will change. However, they are open to discussions if a reasonable solution can be found.