Toby Carvery outrage over cutting down of iconic tree | UK | News
Enfield Council has taken legal action against Mitchells & Butlers PLC over the partial felling of the Whitewebbs Oak in Whitewebbs Park on land leased to the company. Cllr Tim Leaver, deputy leader of Enfield Council, said: “The destruction of the ancient Whitewebbs Oak was a reckless act that caused great damage to the tree and shortened its expected lifespan. It shocked and angered our whole community.”
The council served a formal Section 146 notice under the Property Act 1925, citing serious breaches of the lease, and has now commenced forfeiture proceedings in the Edmonton District Court after Mitchells & Butlers failed to provide a meaningful response. The lawsuit, filed on November 4, 2025, could result in the company losing Toby Carvery’s lease.
Cllr Leaver added: “This century-old tree, sometimes known as the Guy Fawkes Oak, was an irreplaceable part of Enfield’s natural heritage and was cut down without the knowledge or permission of the Council, in clear breach of the lease governing the site.”
The oak, estimated to be 450-500 years old, with a circumference of 6 meters and a crown height of approximately 20 meters, has been in the Woodland Trust’s ancient tree inventory since 2020. Its partial felling in April 2025 removed the main trunk, ancient pruning posts and branches, leaving a four-foot stump and a gnarled six-foot planting post.
Experts say the tree will support more than 2,000 species of birds, bats, insects and fungi and have a remaining life expectancy of more than 80 years.
Cllr Leaver said: “Enfield Council served a formal Section 146 notice on Mitchells & Butlers, the company responsible for Toby Carvery at Whitewebbs Park. They failed to engage meaningfully with the council or pay compensation. We have therefore commenced forfeiture proceedings for serious breaches of their lease.”
He added: “We demand that Mitchells & Butlers make a public apology and provide financial compensation for the irreversible damage they have caused, as well as compensate the Council for the significant costs incurred.”
The council is working with arboriculture experts to protect what is left of the tree and its surrounding habitat. Cllr Leaver said: “The people of Enfield deserve accountability. This case is about fulfilling our duty to protect our environment and our shared heritage. We will do everything we can to achieve justice for Whitewebbs Oak and seek to make it clear that this type of reckless disrespect for our borough will never be tolerated.”
The case is expected to be heard late this year or early next year; This is a rare example of the city demanding revocation of the lease due to the destruction of a single tree.
Express.co.uk has contacted Mitchells & Butlers PLC for comment.
