Toby Carvery Owner Faces Eviction After Unauthorised Felling of Ancient Oak
Enfield Council has initiated eviction proceedings against the owner of a Toby Carvery restaurant in north London following the unauthorised partial felling of a 500-year-old oak tree. The council, which leases the land to Mitchells & Butlers Retail (M&B), described the act as reckless and a clear breach of the lease agreement.
Council Fury Over Heritage Tree Destruction
The incident, which occurred last April at the Toby Carvery car park in Whitewebbs Park, Enfield, has provoked widespread public dismay and official condemnation. Tim Leaver, the deputy leader of Enfield Council, stated that the destruction of the ancient Whitewebbs oak shocked and angered the entire community. He emphasised that this centuries-old tree, sometimes known as the Guy Fawkes oak, was an irreplaceable part of Enfield's natural heritage.
Leaver added that the partial felling happened without the council's knowledge or consent, in clear violation of the lease governing the site. In response, the council has served a formal section 146 notice on M&B and started forfeiture proceedings for serious breaches of their lease.
Legal Proceedings and Demands for Accountability
Enfield Council issued legal proceedings at Edmonton County Court in November, seeking forfeiture of the lease. The dispute is expected to reach court later this year or early next year. The council is demanding that Mitchells & Butlers issue a public apology and provide financial reparations for the irreversible damage caused, as well as compensate the council for the significant costs incurred.
Leaver asserted that the people of Enfield deserve accountability for this act of environmental vandalism. The council revealed that M&B has refused to apologise or offer compensation for the damage, leading to the escalation of legal action.
Efforts to Save the Remaining Tree
Despite the damage, there is a glimmer of hope as the tree's stump has shown signs of regrowth. M&B is being urged to pay "life support" costs for the remains of the tree, estimated at £10,000, to install a tank and sprinkler system. Such a scheme, though potentially too late to save the tree fully, represents a last-ditch effort to preserve what remains of this historic specimen.
Michael O'Shea, the managing director of Wicked Uncle Toys, has offered to fund the work, stating that companies should do the decent thing. However, the scheme requires M&B's cooperation to proceed, adding another layer to the ongoing dispute.
Ongoing Investigations and Industry Implications
Over the coming weeks, the Forestry Commission is due to publish the results of its investigation into the unauthorised felling. This case highlights broader issues of corporate responsibility and environmental protection in the food and drink industry, particularly concerning leased land and heritage conservation.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of preserving natural heritage and the legal consequences of failing to do so. As the legal battle unfolds, it will set a precedent for how local authorities handle similar breaches by commercial tenants.
