Celebrity backers see signatures sky-rocket on 'Save Darwin's Oak' petition

During a planning meeting that saw the approval of the £80 million bypass, members were told the route could not be moved to save the tree because it would be too bendy, meaning it could not be a 60mph road.

The tree was given its name due it being located upon a route supposedly followed by a young Charles Darwin on his walks in the area.

While Shropshire Council has said trees will be replaced at a ratio of six to one, campaigners are pulling out all the stops to save the oak tree.

In the last 24 hours, almost 50,000 signatures have been added to the change.org petition calling for Shropshire Council to shelve the plans.

The rise comes after Nicaraguan social and human rights advocate and former actress, Bianca Jagger, and wildlife TV presenter and conservationist, Chris Packham shared the campaign on social media.

Mike Streetly from Better Shrewsbury Transport said: "We’re thrilled to see this petition to save the Darwin Oak getting so much attention and the endorsement from celebrities like Bianca Jagger and Chris Packham.

"Twice as many people have signed this petition as voted for our MP Daniel Kawczynski in the last election, which really calls into question the idea that UK taxpayers should be funding this nature-wrecking road."

Now, campaigners are calling on Shropshire Council to issue an emergency Tree Preservation Order.

Mr Streetly added: "The Darwin Oak is just one of nine 'irreplaceable' ancient trees that will be felled to make way for the NWRR. Given the amount of public concern, we’re calling on Shropshire Council to issue an emergency TPO (Tree Preservation Order) to protect all the trees at risk.

"Unless there is a TPO in place, planning consent means the council could start currently removing the trees at any time. We’re really worried the council will 'do a Plymouth' and start felling the trees in the middle of the night before planning conditions are agreed and funding is even confirmed."

Former Plymouth City Council leader, Richard Bingley, resigned earlier this year after signing off the night-time mass felling of over 100 trees.

On Thursday, renowned Welsh artist Dan Llywelyn Hall visited the Darwin Oak at Shelton Rough, Shrewsbury to paint the tree.

The artist, best known for his landscapes and portrait paintings, became the 133rd artist to paint Queen Elizabeth II in 2013.

Ellesmere-based tree campaigner, Rob McBride, known as the Treehunter, said Dan created an "inspired artwork" under the boughs of the ancient oak.

Campaigners have now planned an artistic protest next week, inviting residents and visitors to the site for a day of painting, drawing and photography.

The event is set to start at the Oxon Priory Pub on Sunday, November 26 at 10am.

In response to the concerns, a Shropshire Council spokesperson said: “Shropshire Council fully acknowledges the environmental impact of building the North West Relief Road.

“From the outset the chosen route has distanced itself wherever possible from sensitive areas, but there have been unavoidable conflicts with certain habitat and trees.

"The council has therefore proposed, and had endorsed at Planning Committee, an onerous and fully justifiable approach to mitigation and compensation wherever required. In many areas this has demonstrably exceeded any statutory minimum levels of provision and looks to achieve exemplar status on many of its approaches. For example, the biodiversity legacy of the road will see great improvements in the natural habitat alongside the road in future.

“On the matter of the unavoidable loss of nine veteran trees in particular, the council see this as extremely regrettable. However, the commitment to plant 84 new trees to replace these - which will in time then reach veteran status also - shows the commitment the council has to the future care and stewardship of the natural environment.

"This focus on the management of the veteran trees is just a small part of a much wider planting legacy that will also see a ratio of nine to one achieved in terms of general tree replacement.”

See the petition at change.org/p/save-the-darwin-oak