A Toby Carvery restaurant is facing eviction from its north London site over the partial felling of an oak tree which was believed to be up to 500 years old.
The remains of the trunk, surrounded by its severed branches, were discovered by council workers last April in Whitewebbs Park, Enfield.
Residents said they were “devastated” by the damage to the tree, while Enfield Council said it was “treating the matter as criminal damage”.
The council has now said it has started eviction proceedings against the owners of the restaurant, Mitchells & Butlers, for “serious breaches of their lease”.
It said Mitchells & Butlers had “failed to engage meaningfully with the council or to make reparations”.
Sky News has contacted Mitchells & Butlers for comment.
In a statement, Tim Leaver, deputy leader of Enfield Council, said: “The destruction of the ancient Whitewebbs Oak was a reckless act which caused huge damage to the tree and cut its expected lifespan. It shocked and angered our entire community.
“This centuries-old tree, sometimes known as the Guy Fawkes Oak, was an irreplaceable part of Enfield’s natural heritage and was felled without the council’s knowledge or consent, in clear breach of the lease governing the site.
“We ask that Mitchells & Butlers issues a public apology and provides financial reparations for the irreversible damage they have caused as well as compensate the council for the significant costs incurred.
“The people of Enfield deserve accountability. This case is about upholding our duty to protect our environment and our shared heritage.
“We will do everything within our power to ensure justice for the Whitewebbs Oak and seek to make it clear that such reckless disregard for our borough will never be tolerated.”
Read more from Sky News:
Children could be screened for diabetes
Second deadly train crash in Spain in two days
In response to the tree’s felling, the Woodland Trust said the tree was around 450 to 500 years old and its “huge girth” measured six metres.
“The tree is considered by experts to be more ecologically significant than the Sycamore Gap tree,” the conservation charity added.
“Oaks are native and can support more than 2,300 species.”
