A grandmother is standing firm against selling a portion of her property to developers involved in a £45 million road project to safeguard a 500-year-old oak tree. Jean Harris, a 79-year-old retired school secretary and piano teacher, is concerned that the historic oak tree, believed to have existed since the time of Henry VIII, will be lost to accommodate the proposed Southern Link Road near Hereford.

Jean, a mother of two, has been residing in her three-bedroom bungalow in Allensmore since 2003. She is resolute in her decision not to part with any of her land, emphasizing the significance of the ancient oak tree in preserving the local wildlife population, including bats and owls that frequent the area surrounding her home.

The planned two-mile Southern Link Road aims to redirect the A49 around Hereford to alleviate traffic congestion in the city center. Despite the scheme being initially approved in 2015, Jean argues that changes in planning regulations and the unsuitability of constructing a 60mph road near her property have rendered the project inappropriate.

Expressing her concerns, Jean highlighted the adverse impact the road development would have on the tranquility of her home, citing potential noise pollution and vibrations from heavy vehicles passing by. Additionally, she fears that the proximity of the road could significantly devalue her £575,000 property, making it unattractive to potential buyers.

Following the passing of her husband, Michael, with whom she shared the property, Jean’s determination to resist selling her land has only strengthened. Despite the valuation of the required land for the project exceeding £58,000, she has adamantly refused to engage in negotiations with Herefordshire Council.

While the council reported that most affected landowners have either agreed to terms or are nearing agreements, it disclosed that compulsory purchase procedures have been initiated where voluntary agreements could not be reached. The council spokesperson emphasized the necessity of such actions to secure the land essential for the road scheme if voluntary agreements prove unattainable.