Developers hoping to pull down a rare strawberry tree on the site of the former St Andrew's Hospital today defended their actions.

Laing Homes, which is building a 128-home estate where the Billericay Burns Unit once stood, decided to issue a statement after conservationists in the town united to attack the plans.

Sales manager Matthew Byatt said a tree expert has discovered the bush, which has a Tree Preservation Order, is seriously diseased and dying.

It was to have been kept as part of the overall landscaping of the 92 two, three and four bedroom houses, 36 two bedroom apartments and 19 flats.

Now, Laing Homes hopes Basildon Council will overturn the order and grant permission to dig up the bush.

Mr Byatt said: "There is one other tree whose roots are undermining one of the buildings we are due to refurbish and we have asked permission to remove this also, but I must point out the overall landscaping scheme means we will be planting many more trees than we are likely to have to take out.

"It is a pity about the strawberry tree but it seems it was neglected for a great many years."

The tree, which is 100 years old and eight metres tall, has metal braces at its base to hold it together.

It is thought to have developed a fungal growth that is killing some of its branches.

It is the only tree of its kind in the town and the plans to pull it down have been criticised by a number of prominent local figures.

They include Ted Wright, curator of the Billericay Cater Museum, who said: "It most certainly should remain as there are so few of that type around.

"There's no sense in councils putting Tree Preservation Orders on trees and then allowing people to destroy them."

But councillor Matt Barr condemned planning laws which mean councillors have no say on the granting - or otherwise - of proposals.

He said: "The fact I, as chairman of the Billericay area committee, have no powers over the issue shows the way some planning matters are dealt with needs to be addressed nationally."

He dubbed the application by Laing Homes "despicable".

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