MP wins fight to fell his 60ft tree

Tory MP Alan Duncan has won the right to cut down a 60ft-tall plane tree in his back garden in Victoria despite objections from some of his neighbours.

The international development minister applied to Westminster council to have the tree preservation order removed so he could have the option of modernising his house with a basement extension.

The planning committee, which heard other residents were divided on the issue, went against the recommendations of council officers in granting him permission to remove the tree. He must plant a replacement if he does decide to fell it.