Residents in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, are launching a fresh campaign to save a 150-year-old tree from being removed. The tree, known locally as Chester, is a London Plane tree located at the junction of Chichester Road and Tylers Avenue.
The Southend Tree Action Group and other local residents are worried the tree will be lost to make way for a new 14-storey block of flats. The building project is planned for the former Old Churchill’s nightclub site and might require the tree to be cut down to change the road layout for safety reasons.
A local petition to save the tree has already gained more than 30,000 signatures from people who want to see the landmark preserved. Supporters have also raised money to pay for legal help to challenge the removal of the tree based on environmental rights.
In February 2025, the Southend-on-Sea City Council planning committee recommended giving the tree permanent legal protection. However, the firm behind the building plans, SkArchitects, has appealed that decision because they believe removing the tree is necessary to finish the housing project and improve road safety.
Local campaigner Katy Treverton has also released a children’s book about Chester to help raise money for planting more trees across the city. Residents are currently waiting for a final decision on the planning appeal to see if the tree will be allowed to stay.
