Sycamore outside the Buck Inn

The National Park Authority yesterday has placed an immediate Tree Preservation Order on the large sycamore outside the Buck Inn.

 Contractors working for the owners of the Buck had notified the National Park of plans to undertake tree work that “the National Park Authority considers would be detrimental to the health and longevity of the tree, which is in a prominent position within Buckden Conservation Area and of high amenity value”.

In other words, the people who own the Buck Inn wanted to chop it down or severely lop it back.

The TPO is provisional at the moment and set to be confirmed by a full meeting of the NPA within six months. Placing a TPO on a tree levels a potential £20,000 fine on anyone cutting it down without permission.

However, the pages of Planning magazine show that some developers/owners are prepared to risk a fine just to get their way. So, we all need to be vigilant and report any unusual activity to the National Park Authority.

This is a good day for the village. We can all see this as a tree that belongs in spirit to all of us – something for everyone both to take pleasure in and to keep an eye on.