A man has collected more than 500 signatures to save the five fluorescent palm trees illuminating the front of his Chinese restaurant.
King Yik, manager of the Palm Trees restaurant in Blake End, claims the arrival of the trees in February marked a 30 per cent increase in business.
However, the plastic trees were planted without planning permission triggering a storm of opposition from residents and members of Braintree District Council.
Battling the council and 13 letters of objection, Mr Yik started gathering support for his 'Save Our Palm Trees' petition in July.
In April 2002 previous owners of the restaurant applied for a landscape gardening scheme, including the planting of palm trees, but they were rejected by the Braintree area committee.
Oblivious to this Mr Yik planted his 4-5m tall trees, only to be told by council planning officers that they had to go.
The red, green, yellow and orange trees were rejected planning permission because they were deemed to be a 'discordant feature', bringing an 'unjustified intrusion into the countryside.'
Mr Yik lodged his appeal in August and is awaiting a visit from the Planning Inspectorate of the Deputy Prime Minister, who will decide whether the trees face the chop.
A Braintree District Council spokesman, said: "Everyone has the opportunity to challenge and have their say about the trees but in the end we must abide by policies agreed as part of the democratic system."
Published Friday September 24, 2004
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