Chris Packham backs campaign to save tree in Shoreham

Chris Packham who is a naturalist, author, and TV presenter, has leant his support to the Shoreham Poplar Front.

The group is currently trying to save a 30-year old tree next to the Duke of Wellington Pub.

It is due to be cut down as part of plans for 159 flats at the former Civic Centre site nextdoor.

Having looked through your twitter feed @adurandworthing it seems you are keen on protecting the environment , so why are you & @hydenewhomes1 not considering amending the planning on the new build to allow this beautiful Poplar tree to remain ?https://t.co/TBGNkNw07d https://t.co/HJrzfyiX97

— Chris Packham (@ChrisGPackham) September 8, 2022

Posting to his Twitter account – which has more than half a million followers – Mr Packham asked: “Why are [Adur & Worthing Councils] and [Hyde Homes] not considering amending the planning on the new build to allow this beautiful Poplar tree to remain?”

Campaigners are battling to save the tree from being cut down

The Shoreham Poplar Front thanked Mr Packham for his support and said their campaign grows "stronger by the day".

They are calling for the council and the developer to cooperate with them to try and find a way to save the tree.

Please help us meet our target and show that Shoreham people can stand up for themselves!#shorehambysea@adurandworthing @shorehamsociety @LoveShoreham @UrbanTreeFest https://t.co/oF7OKrUcWe

— Shoreham Poplar Front (@poplar_front) September 3, 2022

Hyde Homes has maintained that the tree must be felled to make way for affordable housing on the edge of the site and has promised to plant more trees.

Adur and Worthing Councils said the tree is ‘a matter for the developer’.