Toby Carvery Owner Faces Eviction After Felling 500-Year-Old Oak Tree
Enfield Council has accused hospitality giants Mitchells & Butlers of "a reckless act" after the partial felling of a beloved 500-year-old oak tree, with the local authority now pursuing eviction proceedings against the Toby Carvery owners. The council is treating the matter as criminal damage following what residents describe as the loss of a "local icon" that has sparked widespread community outrage.
Council Initiates Legal Action Over Tree Damage
The Whitewebbs oak, situated on the perimeter of the North London carvery site, was partially chopped down last year without council permission. In a statement released on Wednesday, Enfield Council confirmed it had started eviction proceedings against Mitchells & Butlers for serious breaches of their lease and alleged failure to engage meaningfully with authorities or make reparations for the damage.
Council deputy leader Tim Leaver stated the oak's partial felling had "shocked and angered" the community and claimed it had significantly reduced the tree's expected lifespan. He described the centuries-old tree, sometimes known as the Guy Fawkes Oak due to its proximity to Whitewebbs House - a known conspirator haunt during the 1605 Gunpowder Plot - as an "irreplaceable part of Enfield's natural heritage."
Ecological Significance and Community Response
The Whitewebbs oak was believed to rank among the top 100 of London's 600,000 oak trees in terms of size, with some experts suggesting it possessed greater ecological value than the famous Sycamore Gap tree. Its loss has prompted the council to demand both a formal public apology and financial compensation for what they term "irreversible damage" to the borough's shared heritage.
Enfield Council has served a formal Section 146 notice on the owners, which acts as a legal warning from landlord to tenant regarding breach of lease covenants. This gives Mitchells & Butlers an opportunity to remedy the situation before the council takes further action, though the local authority has expressed frustration at what they perceive as insufficient engagement from the company.
Company's Defence and Ongoing Proceedings
Mitchells & Butlers previously stated that arboriculture experts had advised felling the tree due to what they claimed was a "serious health and safety risk." However, this justification has been rejected by the council, which maintains the work was conducted without proper consultation or consent.
A spokesperson for Toby Carvery declined to comment further, citing "ongoing legal proceedings," while the council has vowed to pursue all available avenues to ensure justice for the Whitewebbs Oak. Deputy leader Leaver emphasised that such reckless disregard for the borough's natural assets would not be tolerated, signalling the council's determination to set a precedent for environmental protection in commercial lease agreements.
