In a shocking act of disregard for local heritage, the owners of a Toby Carvery restaurant in North London have faced eviction proceedings after partially felling a beloved 500-year-old oak tree without the permission of the Enfield Council.
The tree, known as the “Whitewebb Oak” and sometimes referred to as the “Guy Fawkes Oak” due to its proximity to Whitewebb House, a site linked to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, was a cherished landmark in the community. According to the council, the tree was one of the top 100 oak trees in London in terms of size and had significant ecological value.
However, the hospitality giant Mitchell & Butlers (M&B), which owns the Toby Carvery, claimed that the tree posed a “serious health and safety risk” and had it partially felled last year. This prompted outrage from local residents, who described the act as a “reckless” loss of a “local icon”.
In a statement, the Enfield Council said it was “treating the matter as criminal damage” and had initiated eviction proceedings against M&B for “serious breaches of their lease”. The council accused the company of failing to “engage meaningfully” with the local authority or offer any form of reparation for the damage.
“This centuries-old tree, sometimes known as the Guy Fawkes Oak, was an irreplaceable part of Enfield’s natural heritage and was felled without the council’s knowledge or consent, in clear breach of the lease governing the site,” said Tim Leavers, the council’s deputy leader.
The council is now demanding a formal public apology from M&B and financial compensation for what it describes as “irreversible damage” to the borough’s shared heritage. The company, however, has declined to comment further, citing ongoing legal proceedings.
This incident has sparked outrage among the local community, who have expressed their dismay at the loss of a beloved landmark and the perceived disregard for the area’s rich history and natural environment. As the legal battle continues, the future of the Toby Carvery site remains uncertain, with the council vowing to “do everything within [its] power to ensure justice for the Whitewebb Oak”.
