Eton College sparks uproar by chopping down beloved 150-year-old oak tree on land it owns 100 miles away on the Isle of Wight to make way for 12 houses
Eton College has sparked uproar by chopping down a much-loved 150 year old tree 100 miles away on the Isle of Wight to make way for houses.
The oak tree, in the village of Seaview, has been felled after the elite public school took over land previously owned by the Seagrove Estate.
Angry locals are now campaigning to prevent other trees on the field, known locally as the Donkey Field as it used to house donkeys, being cut down.
The exclusive college, whose former pupils include Boris Johnson as well as Princes William and Harry, has not yet submitted any formal plans but says it wants to build up to a dozen homes on the plot.
The decision to chop down the 150 year old oak tree has prompted a reaction from locals
A group called Save the Donkey Field say that Eton College has 'destroyed a beautiful, healthy, hundred-year-old oak tree that has stood for generations' and argues that new developments have 'to meet the island's needs'
A spokesperson for the group said: 'Local residents are both upset and dismayed at what they see as the wanton, unnecessary, destruction of those trees.
'No planning application has yet been made let alone granted.
'Tree preservation orders have now been obtained on an expedited basis to prevent Eton from felling any other tree in the field.'
The group had questioned whether the felling of the tree was legal but the Isle of Wight Council has confirmed as the tree was on private land, and it has no evidence to suggest otherwise, no offence had been committed.
The elite school took over land previously owned by the Seagrove Estate
A council spokesman said: 'Following requests from local people and an assessment of the location, a tree preservation order was made which protects some of the other trees in that area.
'In general, the order does not prevent planning applications from being made on land, but the protection of the trees will ensure they are part of the planning discussion if an application to develop the site is received in the future.'
Asset manager of the land for the trustees of Eton College, Camilla Capaldi, of Clearbell, confirmed the site was deemed 'deliverable' for up to 12 houses as a result of the council's strategic housing land availability assessment process.
Eton College has taken over land overlooking Seagrove Bay and St Helens Fort
The local group questioned if the removal of the tree was legal but the Isle of Wight Council confirmed it
Ms Capaldi said the oak tree's removal was to facilitate access to the site and landscaping proposed as part of the housing plan would incorporate the planting of a good number of trees including native oaks.
She said: 'We have submitted a pre-application proposal and taken on board comments from the council as to the type of development they would like to see here, with the ultimate intention of submitting an application for a low-density residential scheme in due course.'