Conservationists in Billericay have united to attack plans to pull down a rare strawberry tree on the St Andrews Hospital site.

Developers Laing Homes have submitted plans to Basildon Council to pull down the 100-year-old tree, which has a tree preservation order on it.

The eight-metre tall landmark has metal braces at its base to hold it together and is thought to have developed a fungal growth that is killing some of its branches.

It is the only tree of its kind in the town - and the plans have been criticised by a number of prominent local figures.

Roy Mizen, of the Billericay Society, said the conservation group would be writing to Basildon Council objecting to the plans.

He said: "It's silly that somebody would think the Tree Preservation Order doesn't mean anything, whereas it should.

"Let's hope the council makes it mean something."

Ted Wright, curator of the Billericay Cater Museum, said: "It most certainly should remain as there are so few of that type around.

"It's a beautiful shape and character - it was a feature of the old hospital site that simply should stay.

"There's no sense in councils putting Tree Preservation Orders on to trees and then allowing people to destroy them."

Councillor Matt Barr hit out at planning laws which mean that councillors have no say on the granting - or otherwise - of the proposals.

He said: "The fact that I as chairman of the Billericay area committee have no powers over this issue shows the way some planning matters are dealt with and

needs to be addressed nationally.

"The fact that developers have come in and tried to remove this Tree Preservation Order is despicable and goes to show a lack of regard for local opinion.

"I do not think this tree should be removed and think the council should take a very dim view of this application."

Laing Homes is building a 128-home estate on the site of the former Billericay Burns Unit.

The building of the estate comes after the world-famous unit moved to Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford.

A spokesman for Laing Homes said it would make a statement on the tree issue next week.

Under threat - the strawberry tree at the old St Andrews Hospital site Factfile

The strawberry tree was planted on an unknown date before 1896 by Robert Duncan, the last but one master of the town's workhouse

It stands at 8.3 metres high and has a branch spread of 5.8 metres

Its name is deceptive - there is no relationship between the tree and the fruit

The tree is the only one of its kind in Billericay

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