Legal dispute
This project aims to raise funds to resolve a claim, or other type of dispute.
Help us to save the Tittybottle Oak Tree in Otley
Otley, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Aim
To cover legal costs to enable us to continue our fight to save a mature Oak tree and a Tulip tree in Tittybottle Park in Otley, West Yorks.
Campaigners in Otley are trying to halt the unnecessary felling of trees in Tittybottle Park in Otley, West Yorkshire. One of the trees at risk is an over 100 years old English Oak tree, another a large Tulip tree. Zoologist, entomologist and TV broadcaster George McGavin fully supports the campaign to save the trees and says, 'It is disheartening and sadly typical, that heritage trees were disregarded in this feasibility process. We are in the midst of a biodiversity crisis.'
The trees are due to be felled at any time to make way for a large crane needed to erect a temporary footbridge over the River Wharfe, whilst repair work on the adjacent medieval bridge walkway takes place from summer 2025 onwards.
The Otley Tree Protectors Group saved the trees from felling on 2nd December and have been working together to safeguard the tree, spending time with it day and night ever since. If it comes to pass that they are required to move away from the tree for felling to take place then funds to cover legal costs to defend the campaigners will be needed.
Campaigners feel that:
- due consideration has not been given to these trees during the feasibility study process given the biodiversity crisis
- with some careful re-thinking and community consultation these trees could be saved
- the environmental impact of losing these trees, that sit on a flood plain beside the river Wharfe, would be devastating. The river bank would become less stable, the thousands of species of insects and animals living within these trees and their roots would lose their habitat, and we would lose the most effective carbon capture factories on Earth
Campaigners want other options to be fully explored that don't result in the unnecessary felling of this historic English Oak and Tulip tree. They do not want to be pushed into accepting a quick temporary fix to the existing failing walkway.
This is a mature oak tree - that has seen nine generations come and go, with ashes of Otley residents' relatives placed beneath it and many memories for those who have enjoyed time under the tree in times gone by.
The loss of English oaks cannot be casually accepted without also accepting the loss of thousands of other plants and animals that depend on them. Oak declines in the UK threaten the survival of 2,300 other species of plants and animals.
(Mitchell RJ et al 2019, collapsing foundations: The ecology of the British oak, implications of its decline and mitigation options. Biological conservation 233:316-317.)
Please donate and share! We don't have much time!
Any funds raised that are unused will be donated to Wildlife Friendly Otley and Otley 2030 to fund the planting of trees in the immediate future in Otley.
Find out more here:
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-the-otley-tittybottle-oak-tree
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1156784172480044
https://www.ilkleygazette.co.uk/news/24797702.letter-otley-bridge-footway-replacement-tittybottle-oak/
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/environment/otley-bridge-battle-steps-up-with-red-rebels-display-to-save-ancient-oak-tree-4900444
https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/politics/otley-campaigners-fight-4903837
https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/24784508.activists-join-campaign-save-otley-oak-tree/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1knll2rll2o
Any funds raised that are unused will be donated to Wildlife Friendly Otley and Otley 2030 to fund the planting of trees in the immediate future in Otley.
This project successfully funded on 3rd February 2025