Battle to save Oxford University tree from the axe becomes more urgent

The majestic copper beech tree remains a living testament to a time when the whole area used to be part of the University Parks. A campaign led by University professors and local politicians resulted in a temporary tree preservation order being served but campaigners are afraid that the order will be over-turned when the University's plans are considered by the local planning committee later this month. An independent consultant's report confirmed that the tree was mature, healthy and likely to last for at least another fifty years. Protests directed to Dr John Hood, the University's Vice-Chancellor, have thus far been ignored and without a public uproar it is likely that the planners will not view the livlihood of a tree as sufficient justification for rejecting the building plans as they currently stand. The copper beech tree campaign has a web site at  http://www.copperbeech.info/ and the planning application for the new Biochemistry department are at  http://uniformpublicaccess.oxford.gov.uk/publicaccess/dc/dcapplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=IEF4CMMF24000