ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners have moved out of a much-loved tree set to be felled next week.

Campaign group Save Holt Farm Oak Tree have been living in the 100-year-old oak tree by Holt Farm junior and infant schools since October 20.

The towering oak, in Ashingdon Road, Rochford is set to be felled by developer Bloor Homes to make way for a new road layout after the firm was given permission to build 662 new homes nearby.

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Protesters moved into the tree to save it from being felled, but after losing a legal battle at court have been ordered to vacate the tree or risk fines and even potential imprisonment.

Today, a surveyor will visit the site in preparation for the tree to be axed down.

Campaigners believe crews will axe it down on Monday, February 13.

The injunction preventing protesters from blocking access to the tree lasts until April 16.

A spokesman for the campaign group said: “We gave it our all but are so sorry that we couldn’t protect our tree from the broken system and those who operate within it.

“I October 2022, a small group of dedicated residents, along with support from Extinction Rebellion Southend, moved into our tree and bought those elected and those in the council 3.5 months to right their wrongs.

“However they didn’t even try to use the time that had been gained for them, instead they’ve hidden, stalled, ignored, made excuses and very occasionally responded with a meaningless reply.

“They have let our community, our children, future generations and our beautiful tree down.

“We will continue to execute our rights to peaceful protest and freedom of expression and have therefore spent today relocating to a new spot, outside the red zone.”

A spokesman from Bloor Homes said: “The High Court Injunction came into force at 9am this morning and the protestors have vacated the tree. We have been able to inspect the tree today, and remove the effigies left by the protestors at the urgent request of the Junior and Primary school, with a view to securing the tree in order to carry out the works as planned during February half term (w/c 13th February), while the school is closed.

"This will require a partial road closure for three days while the works are undertaken."