Beech protesters branch out into fund-raising trust

As well as trying to keep the historic tree, which is currently being occupied by a 17-year-old female eco-warrior, The Irton Tree Foundation will also support similar environmental protests across the country.

Campaigner David Parker said: “We have been successful in opening up a fund that will support the Irton tree.

“We are hoping to receive donations from various people if they are willing. This will fund our campaign even further and also help other people who come across a similar situation to us.

“We’re just a small group of citizens in a small village that over the last six years have been determined to save this tree with no resources or legal advice, just our enthusiasm. It’s because of this we have opened up the trust fund with the aim of keeping this campaign running as long as we can.”

The tree is due to be felled by North Yorkshire County Council this week after a High Court injunction came into force on Friday. Despite the risk of facing jail, “Beech Nut”, the fifth protester to scale the tree, has remained defiant in its branches for four nights. Yesterday she said: “I plan to stay here until I hear from the Prime Minister. I want to know if he supports this tree’s tree preservation order being overruled.”

She also demanded to see evidence of bat surveys and sought reassurance from the High Court that the judge had seen all the evidence.

A bitter five-year dispute between the two councils has cost the taxpayers £250,000.

The county council wanted it felled for safety reasons but Scarborough Council refused to remove a tree preservation order.