Planned Newtown bypass 'bent' to save ancient oak tree

The news is a triumph for campaigners who had fought to protect the 500-year-old Brimmon Oak at Lower Brimmon Farm, which is on the planned route for the Newtown bypass.

Nearly 5,000 people signed a petition sent to the Welsh Assembly after original plans showed the bypass would pass within four metres of the tree.

Members of the Welsh Assembly's Petitions Committee have now agreed that it should be saved for future generations, and Welsh transport minister Edwina Hart has confirmed the route will be changed.

The appeal was launched last year after experts said the intended route of the bypass could have signed the oak's death warrant.

The committee met yesterday and members discussed a report from an arboriculturist and information provided by the petition's authors Mervyn Lloyd Jones, who owns the land the tree stands on, and Rob McBride, a tree expert from Ellesmere.

Mr McBride said: "Welsh history has been made today after the Welsh Government said they are bending a bypass to save the Brimmon Oak.

"I am so impressed by the passion and devotion to this tree shown by Mervyn Lloyd Jones and his family, and of course the many supporters from around the world."

A report from arboriculturalist and Ancient Tree Forum associate board member Moray Simpson said: "I would suggest that a 500-year-old tree that is historically and culturally important to not just Wales, but also internationally, deserves to be accorded protection that is recognised as best practice in the UK.

"The proposed ground works within the Brimmon Oak's root protection area is in breach of both the British Standard Institute and Ancient Tree Forums recommendations and is likely to result in damage to the tree that could result in its eventual demise. Therefore we urge the Welsh Government to ask its contractors to redesign the bypass so that the tree is protected by a root protection area of at least 15 metres when measured from the centre of the tree's stem."

Ms Hart wrote to the committee to confirm that the Welsh Government's proposal to adjust the carriageway and only carry out minimal work within the 15 metre tree root protection zone will be carried out.

She added: "I can assure you that care will be taken in the detailed design and supervision of the works near this tree."