Person sleeps in Shoreham tree as campaigners fight to stop it being cut down

"We're not extinction rebellion, we're not seasoned tree occupiers - we're local people who are fed up"

A protester has slept in a Shoreham tree as campaigners continue to occupy the area in hopes that it will prevent it being cut down for a new housing development. 

Locals hope to save the beloved 30-year-old poplar tree near the Duke of Wellington pub before developer Hyde chops it down to make space for 159 new homes. Campaign group Shoreham Poplar Front built a tree house in its branches in August, and have since established a rota for the next three weeks to occupy the tree "night and day". 

Darcy Harrison, lead campaigner, revealed that the developer is "completely ignoring us".

He continued, "We're not Extinction Rebellion, we're not seasoned tree occupiers - we're local people who are fed up. 

"We completely support the building of new homes but we think the tree should continue to benefit everybody by absorbing carbon and offering flood protection.

"We've got lots of people who are willing to chain themselves to that tree when the time comes".

Although Hyde have pled at least 20 trees to replace the poplar, Harrison does not trust their promises and adds that "no amount of new trees" will make up for the chop.

Adur District Council have also said that the location of the new trees would be "inappropriate" and have submitted a holding objection to the planning application for them.

However, Andy Hunt, the lead development manager at Hyde, has said that whilst they understand the "depth of feeling about the poplar tree being felled", their proposed "substantial tree planting programme" will both "improve the landscape" and also "provide support to wildlife". 

Hunt continued, "Poplar trees have a typical lifespan of about 30 to 50 years and eventually have to be felled to protect local buildings. 

"The development will provide 159 much needed social and affordable homes for local people in Shoreham." 

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