THE green credentials of Reading must be protected from “selfish modern attitudes”.

That is the message from a residents’ campaign to maintain a tree preservation order in west Reading.

Efforts to protect the oak in question at 10 Clifton Street were objected to by neighbour Nick Richards on the basis that his own survey of the road showed minimal support for keeping the tree.

But members of the Baker Street Area Neighbourhood Association stood firm at the planning applications committee meeting on November 12 where councillors voted in favour of the group.

Karen Rowland, chairman of the group, said: “The privilege of living in a conservation area comes with certain responsibilities. We need more trees, not less, and this fine specimen is not replaceable.

“We do understand poorly maintained trees can cause damage and there are inconveniences with leaves and bird droppings but that is the nature of trees. It’s simply our own modern and selfish attitudes that leads us to feel we can pull them down.”

Cllr Tony Page, transport leader, said Reading Borough Council would reaffirm the message that when people buy a house they must take into consideration the trees that may be in the area.

He said: “If they are planning on cutting them down this council will not play along with their agenda.”