A ROW has broken out over parish council plans to plant a new sapling on a village green.

Rooted in opposition to the silver birch, some North Hinksey residents say the new tree could ‘destroy’ the green which is being used by young families for the first time in generations.

However, North Hinksey Parish Council chairman David Kay said a door-to-door to survey of 10 households in the village revealed 100 per cent support for the tree.

Josie Webber said: “My kids play on the green a lot but the sapling going where it’s planned to go will obstruct the space and make it less user-friendly.”

Oxford Mail:

Fellow resident Chris Sugden, who intends to protest the planting ceremony tomorrow, called for a more thorough consultation on the matter.

He said: “I’m saying put a hold on it just for now. Do it next spring if it’s not going to grow over winter.

“This whole thing is without proper consultation and will destroy a playing area in the village that is being used for the first time in 30 years.”

The 30cm sapling was donated to the parish council by the Woodland Trust as part of the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy scheme after an enormous horse chestnut on the village green toppled over in the summer.

Speaking on behalf of the council, Mr Kay said: “We have tried to locate it in an area that will have minimal impact on activities on the green and we feel that it is an appropriate location that won’t impact the other villagers.

"We feel this has been slightly escalated out of proportion, given it’s a very small sapling.”

MP for Oxford West and Abiungdon, Layla Moran, will be planting the tree at a parish council ceremony tomorrow.

She said: "" The tree has been given to the Parish Council by the Woodland Trust as part of the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy scheme which I support.

"The location of the tree is entirely the decision of the parish council and they have chosen to plant it on the green which they own and maintain, bearing in mind all the restrictions around tree planting as advised by the Woodland Trust."