Villagers are celebrating saving a 'beautiful' 100-year-old oak tree from being felled as part of a nearby housing development.

A 100-year-old oak tree on Cappens Lane in Walter’s Ash was first put at risk of felling when Buckinghamshire Council gave housing developer Dandara permission to build dozens of new homes in the area back in November 2020.

Plans were put forward to cut down the tree and install a public footpath between the housing development and Main Road in its place, but members of the Naphill and Walters Ash Residents’ Association vehemently opposed the idea, describing it as a “brutal and unnecessary act of environmental vandalism”.

Now, more than three years on, residents have won their long-fought battle to keep the 100-year-oak standing, with their efforts including a petition that attracted over a thousand signatures and banners with messages including ‘Save me from the chop’.

READ MORE: 'It was scary' - Trees are chopped down despite having perseveration orders in place

On January 13, a sign asking for the tree to be saved was symbolically removed from its trunk in what Gloria Leflaive, a member of the residents’ association, described as a “joyful” ceremony which followed many months of work and petitioning of Buckinghamshire Council and Dandara.

The felling plans were shelved thanks to another resident, Jim Waters, who offered part of his front garden for a footpath ensuring safe passage around the historic oak, and Gloria said fellow association member Usha Prashar was also instrumental in taking the campaign over the finishing line.

She added: “Our beautiful 100-year-old Clappins Oak will hopefully now enjoy another 200 years of environmentally valuable life and remain a dominant landmark in Clappins Lane.”