RESIDENTS have reacted angrily to a mobile home firm which wants to give a protected oak tree the chop - saying profits should not come before people.

Harrington Park Homes applied to South Ribble Borough Council for permission to cut down the tree at Carr Wood Mobile Home Park, Walton-le-Dale, to make room for a 42-foot caravan.

This led to uproar from locals who want the oak - which is part of classified ancient woodland and covered by a Tree Preservation Order - to stay.

Kenneth Dakin, 68, a site resident who wrote an objection letter to the council, said: "There is only room for a 36-foot unit but they have bought a 42-foot one. The only way they can fit it is by removing a perfectly healthy tree."

He added: "The trees add to the rural character of the area. Again we see profit gain being put before the interests of the community."

Councillors and officials were meeting yesterday (September 18) to make a decision. It is expected a Development Services Department recommendation to refuse Harrington's application will be upheld. No-one at Harrington Homes was available for comment.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.