A grandmother is standing firm against selling a portion of her property to developers planning a £45 million road project to safeguard a 500-year-old oak tree. Jean Harris, a 79-year-old retired school secretary and piano teacher, is concerned that the historic oak tree, believed to date back to the era of Henry VIII, will be destroyed to make way for the proposed Southern Link Road near Hereford. Jean, a mother of two, has resided in her three-bedroom bungalow in Allensmore, Hereford, since 2003 and is adamant about preserving the tree and the diverse wildlife it supports, including bats and owls.
Despite the land being valued at over £58,000 for the road scheme, Jean has firmly rejected any negotiations with Herefordshire Council. She fears that the road construction, which aims to alleviate congestion in Hereford by rerouting the A49, will bring constant noise and vibrations to her property, potentially devaluing her beloved home. Jean expressed concerns about the impact on wildlife in the area and the disturbance a busy bypass would bring to the peaceful setting she and her family cherish.
Herefordshire Council confirmed that while most landowners affected by the road project have reached agreements or are close to finalizing terms, compulsory purchase proceedings have commenced where necessary. The council emphasized the importance of securing the land required for the scheme and stated that compulsory purchase is a standard procedure for major infrastructure projects when voluntary agreements cannot be reached.