VILLAGERS are celebrating after their petition saved a landmark tree.
The red horse chestnut, growing near to the entrance to the Bridgewater Arms, in Winston, had been under threat following a planning application to develop land adjacent to the grade II-listed building.
The developer wanted to remove the tree to ease access to the proposed development site. Petition organiser and village resident Iain Dalton said: “The tree was under an imminent death sentence – something had to be done.”
Mr Dalton organised a petition. He added: “Nearly everyone in the village signed.”
That was enough to get a stay of execution for the tree and a six-month temporary tree preservation order was issued by the county council.
Winston Parish Council has now learned that this order has been made permanent.
Chairman of Winston parish council Cllr Mike Taylor said: “The tree is a valuable asset to Winston. There are several more horse chestnuts around the village which together add to Winston’s character.”
The tree in Winston really comes into its own in late spring when it produces an intense display of pink flowers, he added.
Mr Dalton said: “I am chuffed to bits for the village. It just goes to show if people come together and get stuck in things can be achieved.”
The trigger for the petition was the submission of a planning application to build 16 dwellings on land west of the Bridgewater Arms in November 2017. Durham County Council turned down this application. The developers have since lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate. The appeal document is available to view on the council’s planning website.
