World War Tree! Couple say their bungalow will 'collapse' unless SEVEN 100ft trees are not chopped down... but neighbours claim they have been 'bullied' into footing £4k bill
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A bitter war over the fate of seven 100ft trees has broken the suburban tranquil of a leafy road in Hampshire. Richard and Anne Hazelgrove claim the enormous oaks could see their bungalow 'collapse' unless they are urgently axed. However, their neighbours say they have been bullied into footing a £4k tree surgeon bill to fell the giant trunks.
![[A bitter war over the fate of seven enormous 100ft trees has split a quiet estate down the middle]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/09/93266517-14204969-image-a-1_1734515049888.jpg)
Fareham Borough Council 'reluctantly' removed tree preservation orders (TPOs) on the seven trees this month after their roots were blamed for causing cracks in two homes on the street. The council said refusing the insurers application to remove the TPOs might expose it to claims for future property damage totalling more than £225,000.
![[Richard Hazelgrove claims his chalet bungalow now has over 50 cracks and is at risk of total collapse]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/10/93266497-14204969-image-a-23_1734517058306.jpg)
But homeowners in the three properties on Heath Lawns, where the six oaks and one lime are located, say the council were 'bullied' by insurers 360 Global Net to get the TPOs taken off. Residents say insurers have issued veiled threats in letters sent to them, seen by MailOnline, to press ahead with the work or face legal action.
![[Mr Hazelgrove says his house is moving nearly three millimetres a month]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/09/93266491-14204969-image-a-5_1734515512897.jpg)
The homeowners say this was done because the insurers wanted to avoid a larger bill of underpinning the impacted properties on Southmead Road. They argue the damage is in fact a result of poor build quality, as it only impacts two homes, that felling the trees would cost them a small fortune, reduce their privacy and could cause flooding, as tree roots keep the water table down.
![[As a result, signs of subsistence have begun to show inside the property]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/09/93266471-14204969-image-a-6_1734515525185.jpg)
