Save Wivenhoe's Old King George Oak Tree
@stopthechop.bsky.social
Our beloved 170 year old oak tree and others are at threat of felling in a subsidence claim. Aviva have pushed our council into this, while experts state underpinning would be better.
https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/save-wivenhoe-old-king-george-tree/
https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/save-wivenhoe-old-king-george-tree/
5. Slowing down the rush to fell these trees now ensures that all these concerns are taken into account and the right decision for buildings and trees alike is found in view of all statutory and legal requirements.
January 3, 2026 at 10:06 AM
5. Slowing down the rush to fell these trees now ensures that all these concerns are taken into account and the right decision for buildings and trees alike is found in view of all statutory and legal requirements.
4. Also, members of our group include other residents of the terrace worried about harm to their property too by removing the trees including by heave. This concern has not been fully addressed
January 3, 2026 at 10:05 AM
4. Also, members of our group include other residents of the terrace worried about harm to their property too by removing the trees including by heave. This concern has not been fully addressed
3. It is implied from these points that we only care about the trees, and have disregard for the property owners. This couldn't be further from the truth, experts have found that felling these trees will not likely address the complex and multiple movement causes in properties.
January 3, 2026 at 10:05 AM
3. It is implied from these points that we only care about the trees, and have disregard for the property owners. This couldn't be further from the truth, experts have found that felling these trees will not likely address the complex and multiple movement causes in properties.
2. The Mayor of Wivenhoe claims that the independent report finds the trees are a contributory factor to movement. This is a misrepresentation of the findings of the fullness of the report and is not reflective of the expert recommendation that underpinning would present most adequate solution.
January 3, 2026 at 10:04 AM
2. The Mayor of Wivenhoe claims that the independent report finds the trees are a contributory factor to movement. This is a misrepresentation of the findings of the fullness of the report and is not reflective of the expert recommendation that underpinning would present most adequate solution.
1. There are two properties affected by movement. We know that at least one of these has had their own report which finds a need to underpin their property to address movement issues, and disputing the trees' role. They have complained to the Financial Ombudsman about the insurer
January 3, 2026 at 9:03 AM
1. There are two properties affected by movement. We know that at least one of these has had their own report which finds a need to underpin their property to address movement issues, and disputing the trees' role. They have complained to the Financial Ombudsman about the insurer
Sorry to hear. It seems to really depend on individual tree officers as to how proactive they'll be. But a bit of campaigning might help turn things around, you never know!
January 2, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Sorry to hear. It seems to really depend on individual tree officers as to how proactive they'll be. But a bit of campaigning might help turn things around, you never know!
Good luck! Worth pursuing TPOs for any really special trees where you are just in case!
January 2, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Good luck! Worth pursuing TPOs for any really special trees where you are just in case!
So sorry to hear that. We understand there might again be some similar issues arising in Highwoods now too, as someone involved came along to our recent Aviva protests.
January 2, 2026 at 5:01 PM
So sorry to hear that. We understand there might again be some similar issues arising in Highwoods now too, as someone involved came along to our recent Aviva protests.
Thank you, yes we have signed up as members to Canopy. A great supportive network of good people doing good things 👍
January 2, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Thank you, yes we have signed up as members to Canopy. A great supportive network of good people doing good things 👍
14/14 hopefully if you've read this far, or even taken a dip into the full detailed findings in the report of ground investigations work, you'll see why we don't think felling without the right evidence basis is a good decision. We seek to release the evidence still through EIR soon.
January 2, 2026 at 5:12 AM
14/14 hopefully if you've read this far, or even taken a dip into the full detailed findings in the report of ground investigations work, you'll see why we don't think felling without the right evidence basis is a good decision. We seek to release the evidence still through EIR soon.
13. But as this thread summarises, with other movement types, the expert recommendation for underpinning is to provide the best outcome for the affected properties. Removing trees is unlikely to be an adequate solution, and later underpinning is likely to still be needed.
January 2, 2026 at 5:10 AM
13. But as this thread summarises, with other movement types, the expert recommendation for underpinning is to provide the best outcome for the affected properties. Removing trees is unlikely to be an adequate solution, and later underpinning is likely to still be needed.
12. Our hope is that the injunction will allow for proper scrutiny of the evidence and the decision making process, to ensure that this wider range of movement causes is taken into the decision. The insurer likely would prefer to fell trees as a cheaper alternative to underpinning.
January 2, 2026 at 5:08 AM
12. Our hope is that the injunction will allow for proper scrutiny of the evidence and the decision making process, to ensure that this wider range of movement causes is taken into the decision. The insurer likely would prefer to fell trees as a cheaper alternative to underpinning.
11. The lack of transparency and well-founded claims of subsidence being caused by the trees is alarming. The evidence being relied upon to justify felling has shortcomings and has been disputed, yet there appears to be preference towards the insurers data conducted by third party, Innovation Group
January 2, 2026 at 5:07 AM
11. The lack of transparency and well-founded claims of subsidence being caused by the trees is alarming. The evidence being relied upon to justify felling has shortcomings and has been disputed, yet there appears to be preference towards the insurers data conducted by third party, Innovation Group
10. The council and Aviva have refused to release their full evidence base, even under FOI and EIR requests. If they do have such compelling evidence that the trees are the sole and primary cause of movement, addressing expert concerns, then why will they not share it? Does full data exist?
January 2, 2026 at 5:05 AM
10. The council and Aviva have refused to release their full evidence base, even under FOI and EIR requests. If they do have such compelling evidence that the trees are the sole and primary cause of movement, addressing expert concerns, then why will they not share it? Does full data exist?
9. It is unclear what, if any, independent investigation has been done to explore the discrepancy in asserted causes and the shortcomings in Aviva's evidence. It is unclear if any further monitoring has taken place in 2025 to inform the renewed decision to fell.
January 2, 2026 at 5:03 AM
9. It is unclear what, if any, independent investigation has been done to explore the discrepancy in asserted causes and the shortcomings in Aviva's evidence. It is unclear if any further monitoring has taken place in 2025 to inform the renewed decision to fell.
8. We expected to receive a detailed response to these findings and concerns, having issued the report to Aviva and Wivenhoe Town Council in March 2025. However, none has been provided. A heavily redacted legal note to WTC seen by this group appears to be very dismissive of the findings.
January 2, 2026 at 5:02 AM
8. We expected to receive a detailed response to these findings and concerns, having issued the report to Aviva and Wivenhoe Town Council in March 2025. However, none has been provided. A heavily redacted legal note to WTC seen by this group appears to be very dismissive of the findings.
7. The independent expert evaluation report provided to Wivenhoe Town Council challenged the assertion the trees were solely culpable and recommends underpinning. See the chapter on ground investigations from page 55 onwards drive.google.com/file/d/1Av7A...
250331_ExpertEvaluation_Rev01_HighRes.pdf
drive.google.com
January 2, 2026 at 4:59 AM
7. The independent expert evaluation report provided to Wivenhoe Town Council challenged the assertion the trees were solely culpable and recommends underpinning. See the chapter on ground investigations from page 55 onwards drive.google.com/file/d/1Av7A...
6. There are concerns about what removing the trees will do in terms of movement. Heave can arise 6+ years after a tree of this significance being removed, which could see claims for damage. The loss of water take up could add flooding issues, while roots might help stabilise the poor ground type.
January 2, 2026 at 4:57 AM
6. There are concerns about what removing the trees will do in terms of movement. Heave can arise 6+ years after a tree of this significance being removed, which could see claims for damage. The loss of water take up could add flooding issues, while roots might help stabilise the poor ground type.
5. The trees are therefore one of many potential movement causes. Experts have recommended underpinning the terraced properties experiencing movement, to address the multiple and complex movement drivers in this setting. Trees are not necessarily the sole and primary cause of movement here.
January 2, 2026 at 4:54 AM
5. The trees are therefore one of many potential movement causes. Experts have recommended underpinning the terraced properties experiencing movement, to address the multiple and complex movement drivers in this setting. Trees are not necessarily the sole and primary cause of movement here.
4. The vicinity of the terrace includes areas of road that have been known to have flooding issues at time of heavy rain. The slope of the park and landscape above the trees washes water down and through the terrace land. There is concern about blocked drainage contributing to movement.
January 2, 2026 at 4:52 AM
4. The vicinity of the terrace includes areas of road that have been known to have flooding issues at time of heavy rain. The slope of the park and landscape above the trees washes water down and through the terrace land. There is concern about blocked drainage contributing to movement.