Toby Carvery owner faces eviction from north London site for felling ancient oak | Trees and forests
Restaurant chain Toby Carvery faces being evicted from one of its sites after using a chainsaw on a century-old oak tree without permission from its council owner.
The partial felling last April of the 500-year-old oak tree on the edge of a Toby Carvery car park at Whitewebbs Park, Enfield, caused public consternation and the fury of Enfield Council, which leases the land to the restaurant’s owners, Mitchells & Butlers Retail (M&B).
North London council has revealed it is commencing eviction proceedings against M&B after the company refused to apologize or offer compensation for the damage. In November, he filed a lawsuit in Edmonton County Court seeking forfeiture of the lease. The dispute is expected to go to court later this year or early next year.
Tim Leaver, the council’s deputy leader, said: “The destruction of the ancient Whitewebbs Oak was a reckless act which caused huge damage to the tree and shortened its expected lifespan. It shocked and angered our entire community. This century-old tree, sometimes known as the Guy Fawkes Oak, was an irreplaceable part of Enfield’s natural heritage.”
He said the partial felling occurred without the council’s knowledge or consent, “in clear breach of the lease governing the site”.
He added: “Enfield Council issued a formal Section 146 notice to Mitchells & Butlers, the company responsible for the Toby Carvery in Whitewebbs Park. They failed to meaningfully engage with the council or carry out repairs, so we have commenced forfeiture proceedings for serious breaches of their lease.
“We are calling on Mitchells & Butlers to publicly apologize and provide financial reparations for the irreversible damage they have caused, as well as compensating the council for the significant costs incurred. The people of Enfield deserve accountability.”
M&B is also being asked to pay “survival” costs for the remains of the tree after its stump showed signs of regrowth. Such a project, which may be too late to save the tree, would cost around £10,000.
Michael O’Shea, the managing director of Wicked Uncle Toys, offered to fund the work. But for the project to move forward, it would require cooperation from M&B to install a reservoir and sprinkler system at the site.
After learning about the ambitious project, O’Shea said: “We are a family business and we believe that businesses should act decently. If it is saveable, we will provide the cash if the experts take care of the management of the project.”
In the coming weeks, the Forestry Commission is expected to publish the outcome of its investigation into the unauthorized logging.
M&B has been contacted for comment.
