The future of a rare strawberry tree on the site of the former St Andrews Hospital in Billericay has finally been safeguarded.

Developers Laing Homes, who are building a 128-home estate on the burns unit site, have withdrawn an application to pull down the huge tree. It comes just weeks after the firm said the tree was dying and needed to be pulled down.

The latest news is sure to be met with delight by conservationists in the town who had attacked plans to bring the historic 100-year-old tree down.

The eight-metre tall tree has a tree preservation order on it and metal braces at its base hold it together.

It is the only one of its kind in the town and one of the few reminders of the town's former hospital.

Laing Homes had asked for permission to pull the tree down as its roots are thought to be undermining one of the buildings it is due to refurbish.

Now the developers, who are building a variety of two, three and four bedroom houses along with 19 flats and 36 two bedroom apartments, have given up on the plans.

The news was welcomed by councillor Matt Barr, who is chairman of Billericay area committee.

He said: "I think it is important that if a developer puts forward plans of that magnitude that they stick to the original proposals.

"After all, they were carefully thought out after a long period of planning from council officers and consultation with the public. To put in a change to that development is bad practice."

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