A campaign has been launched to stop the hacking down of two oak trees believed to be damaging a property 75 feet away.

Residents in Kingston Hill are opposing an application by claims specialist QuestGates to fell one of the trees and reduce the other’s leaf area by up to 90 per cent.

The application relates to cracks appearing in the walls of a flat at 9 Kingston Hill, which QuestGates engineers say is being caused by the tree roots effecting soil moisture and causing foundation movement.

But husband and wife Richard and Patricia Power are leading a campaign against the proposal, and are calling on residents to register their opposition.

Mr Power, who lives in Kingston Hill, said: “The application is made by insurers because of moderate cracking in an extension to a property which is over 75 feet away from the oak trees, even though there are a number of houses and other buildings much closer, some within only a few yards.

“The insurers are claiming that the clay subsoil is being affected by tree roots.

“Many residents are horrified that there is a risk that these oak trees could be felled.”

Both trees, which lie at the back of the garden to 9 Kingston Hill, are the subject of a tree preservation order, and lie within a conservation area.

Mr Power added: “Two large trees in the conservation area have already been felled in the last two months - a sycamore and a horse chestnut.

“The sycamore was felled even though there was no evidence that it was responsible for taking moisture from the clay subsoil.

“The horse chestnut was felled even though tree specialists had recommended pollarding.

“If the oak trees go, all the remaining trees in the conservation area are at risk of being felled, because they are all within 75 feet of buildings.”

The flat is leased by estate agents Carringtons, based next door to the flat.