The Darwin Oak

In the House of Commons, a minister delivered a statement regarding a petition to protect the Darwin oak, a 550-year-old tree located in Shelton Rough, outside Shrewsbury. The petition, which has garnered 108,000 signatures, seeks to prevent the felling of the tree as part of the proposed north-west relief road scheme in the minister's constituency. The minister explained that the proposed scheme would not only lead to the loss of the Darwin oak, but also hundreds of other trees, including numerous veteran trees. This, the minister argued, would result in a significant loss of biodiversity and carbon sequestration capability, while also breaching the government's National Planning Policy Framework and the 'Keepers of Time' policy. Furthermore, the minister stated that the proposed felling of trees would result in a huge loss of green space that is currently used by the residents of Shrewsbury for exercise and well-being. The petition, therefore, requests that the House of Commons urge the government to work with Shropshire Council to safeguard the Darwin oak and ensure its preservation for future generations. The minister's statement highlights the importance of preserving the natural heritage and green spaces within the local community, and the need for the government to work closely with local authorities to find a solution that balances the needs of infrastructure development and environmental protection.