Controversial plans to cut down a tree loved by neighbours have been quashed by Bromley councillors.

Neighbours living in Trinity Village have campaigned against proposals to chop the iconic oak in Mackintosh Road.

The tree – which neighbours say is 250 years old – is of sentimental value to residents living nearby, with hundreds writing to the council urging it to turn down the application.

It is the last surviving tree from a group specially protected in 1952.

Councillor Richard Scoates, chairman of the planning sub-committee, said: “Trees play a massive part in how people view the borough, adding that little bit extra to make the borough a pleasant place to live, work and visit.

“This mature oak tree is a local historic landmark much loved by the local people.

“We are also privileged to have the most street trees out of all the London boroughs and a landmark as such should be maintained as opposed to felled”.

MORE - Bromley neighbours try to protect Mackintosh Road oak tree

The tree, which is protected by a Tree Preservation Order, is in a poor and dangerous condition, according to RMG – the company managing the estate.

A Tree Preservation Order is an order made by a council to protect specific trees in the interests of amenity.

RMG said cutting the tree down was the most cost effective way to make the oak safe to the public again – but the council says branches and deadwood should be removed instead.

A spokesman said: “Similarly to the hundreds of thousands of trees managed by the council across 1360 acres, permission will not be granted to fell a healthy tree, especially one with such historic value and a high amenity feature.

“Trees are important to the council and an important part of the environment, therefore permission will not be given.”

The application to chop down the protected tree was thrown out at a meeting earlier this month.