Harry Potter star joins protest against felling of tree in Leamington road

Harry Potter star David Bradley is among those protesting against the planned felling of a tree in a South Leamington road which was due to be carried out either today or tomorrow (April 17 or 18).

A group of residents gathered at the hornbeam tree in Farley Street this morning.

And SOLAR (South Leamington Area Residents Group) member Meg Bond has put in an urgent request for a tree preservation order to be applied to the the tree to stop Warwickshire County Council cutting it down it in the coming days.

Meg said: “This hornbeam has been a feature in the cul-de-sac and admired by residents who have lived there since at least the late 1980s especially for its shape, its catkins, its fruits and its leaves, which are particularly beautiful in autumn.

"According to the Woodland Trust it provides 'shelter, roosting, nesting and foraging opportunities for birds and small mammals and is the food plant for caterpillars of a number of moth species.

"That it is due to be felled as it reaches its full Spring glory - and moreover in the nesting season - has shocked neighbours.”

Meg said residents only found out about the plan to fell the tree on Friday when notices appeared instructing drivers not to park beside it and attempts to find out why the felling is needed had been in vain.

A Warwickshire spokesman said: "Warwickshire County Council is committed to preserving trees wherever possible and not felling them.

"It is only when the structural damage to a tree means that it poses a safety hazard to the local environment, or when disease necessitates it, that we remove trees.

"This particular tree has some structural damage which has deemed its felling necessary.

"However, in line with our commitment, we have paused the process while an inspection determines if another course of action can be taken without compromising the safety of the public."