I have had an email from the council insurance department they state that the tree is extracting moisture from the ground and is thereby causing the settlement damage to the house. They also state that repairs can be undertaken with the tree in situ but would be more expensive so to remove the tree is the cheapest option. According to their own survey the tree is causing no root damage.  I few points to raise here. Lots of houses in Bretton have settlement cracks (including mine) this is because the houses are built on clay soil which expands when it is wet and shrinks when it is dry. My house has settlement cracks they are not due to trees! If this 600 year old tree is responsible why is no one  accountable for the fact that the council gave planning permission to build on the land? The council gave planning permission wrongly and so they should meet the higher cost if they think they are responsible. Why because of the council's cost saving decision should a 600 year old tree be destroyed and we the council tax paying residents lose a lovely historic tree. Peterborough city council are incompetent short sighted and lazy, no-one is accountable for the wrong decision in granting planning permission for building on unsuitable land . When Barnards way was originally built this area was not built on. Why did the original developers not build on this land? Maybe because they have to give a guarantee on their buildings and are accountable?  Ten years or so after the original houses were built these later houses went up.

No-one could have failed to see the tree(s) when they built or purchased the house (s) when the council granted planning permission again they must have taken the trees into account? As their own survey states the house can be repaired it will just cost more. Well come on PCC face up to your responsibilities and pay to have this mess put right without us having to lose a lovely tree!  Why should the tree go because of the councils incompetent planning department? I have grave doubts that removing the tree will even solve the problem it will just remove the councils liability. This tree has been there for generations why should a few short sighted people be allowed to destroy it?

Please I appeal to you please contact PCC and appeal to them to do the right thing. The person to put pressure on is Sue Addison her phone number is 01733 384560 please leave your number on her answer service or she will not call you back if she gets enough calls it may just change her mind.  I have lived in Peterborough all of my life and in my present house in Bretton for 30 years. This is stressing me out and making me consider selling up and moving I cannot bear to see this tree destroyed. We have lost enough already. The trouble is that the people making these money saving decisions don't live here and have to see and live with the consequences of their actions on a daily basis. 

A picture of our lovely tree in winter. Taken by Paul - a good neighbour. Thanks Paul!