Northumberland villagers fear a new housing development could be the death knell for an ancient rare tree.
Acklington's Black Poplar tree is at least 250 years old and is thought to be the UK's most northerly example in of one of the country's rarest native timber trees.
In 2018, it reached the shortlist for the Woodland Trust's tree of the year competition, eventually finishing seventh.
However, after standing for centuries the tree was felled during Storm Arwen in November 2021. Following that, Northumberland Estates submitted plans to build four new homes on the site of Acklington's former school, close to the tree.
However, limbs of the tree have continued to come into leaf, sparking hope the beloved tree could still be alive. As a result, dozens of residents packed into the village hall on Tuesday night to discuss the plans for the new housing, which they fear could kill off the tree for good.
Speaking at the meeting, organiser and former head teacher at the village school John Davison said: "We're extremely lucky to have this magnificent tree on the very edge of our village boundary. Some people think it could be over 300 years old.
"It was there before the school was built. The school closed in 2018, so it oversaw every child that ever went into the school.
"Storm Arwen brought it down and we thought that was the end. However, a spike started to break into leaf and leaves sprouted from the tree.
"The Woodland Trust has said the tree was reinventing itself. It has fallen, but it is not dead."
The Woodland Trust has objected to the plans itself - a statement read: "The trust objects to this proposal on account of detrimental impact to a fallen ancient wild black poplar. Given the importance of the original ancient tree, we would expect to see the remaining tree is appropriately protected.
"Whilst we acknowledge that T37 is a fallen tree following Storm Arwen in November 2021, we understand that the tree is regenerating with new leaf cover. The applicants should look to retain the tree as much as possible for its ecological value to local wildlife and afford protection to ensure its continued survival."
The trust also said the tree should be afforded a "root protection area" to allow the tree to regenerate over time. Given the age of the tree before it fell, this would amount to a large buffer zone due to its extensive rooting system "essential for its continued survival and regeneration".
The council's highways team said it had a "fundamental objection" that were "so significant that no reasonable action is likely to address the concern" in that the proposed development is located in an "unsustainable" location only accessible by private car.
The Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) also objected on grounds of flood risk and drainage grounds.
And residents were also concerned that the four new homes could lead to a larger development in the future. Dr Kevin Corbett, who helped to organise the meeting, branded it a "Trojan Horse" development.
However, Northumberland Estates has said that while they do own the land, there are no further plans for the "foreseeable future."
In a statement the developer also explained how it intended to protect the black poplar tree if planning permission was granted.
A spokeswoman for Northumberland Estates said: "Northumberland Estates were aware of the national and local importance of the ancient and rare black poplar tree and when initial assessments were made in 2021 it became apparent that the black poplar tree restricted development across much of the site, hence the development proposals were halted.
"On November 25 2021, Storm Arwen forced the ‘catastrophic failure’ of the black poplar tree, and it fell southwards into garden land. After consultation with Acklington Parish Council and the NCC Ecologist, a scheme has been proposed that protects the existing stump and the substantial majority of the root system.
"Cuttings will be taken to try and re-grow the black poplar tree in locations around Acklington and Hulne Park, and the deadwood will be appropriately and safely located on-site to promote increased biodiversity on site. Much of the on-site tree and hedge features have been retained.
"New trees and hedges are proposed to be planted to mitigate for minor losses. Once developed, biodiversity for the site will achieve a 12.5% habitat gain and a 53.25% linear (hedgerow) gain.
"Northumberland Estates does own adjacent land in Acklington to the existing development and we have devised a scheme that includes access to that land, however, we have no further housing development plans for this land, for the foreseeable future."
The plans are due to be considered by planners in the coming months, with a possibility it could be considered by councillors on the North Northumberland Local Area Committee in April. However, an agenda for that meeting is yet to be published.
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