FEARS are growing for the future of one of Petersfield's most magnificent and best-loved landmarks - a 100-year-old horse chestnut tree. It was claimed this week the tree in Folly Lane is to be hacked down to make way for a car park. But this has been hotly denied by its owner, David Graver, who says the tree needs to be felled after developing a fungus and becoming dangerous. The 50-foot horse chestnut is unusual as the specimen is not normally found in an urban environment. Previous attempts to cut it down have been thrown out amid opposition from townsfolk who see it as a vital part of Petersfield's heritage. And on Tuesday, town councillors "strongly objected" to the latest plans after listening to a heartfelt appeal from Heath pond boat concessionaire Ken Heppell. Mr Heppell told the planning committee: "The application is simply handwritten that the tree is dangerous - dangerous to who? "I had the chance to take photos of it this week and it is still a magnificent specimen. "It is unique as it has eight sub-trunks that go out like the veins of an umbrella. "And we are led to believe that what will replace it will be a car park. "Sheet has their tree and this one is ours. It is subject to a tree protection order. I am not really interested in who is planning to do this. "What I object to, and others do too, is that it is only one of a few trees that are left like that in the town. "The application says it is dangerous but there is no corresponding report provided to show that." Mr Heppell said members of Burgesmede sheltered housing for the elderly, which overlooks the tree, had already written to EHDC voicing their objections. "The residents of Burgesmede houses absolutely love it and they will be objecting as well. They love to look out onto it," he said. "All I ask is that you just look at the tree. It has just gone through the most incredible season." Last time a similar application was submitted, letters of objection flooded in from members of the public and local tree experts, stating the case for it to remain. And town councillors this week said it should only be cut down as "a last resort" after all other avenues had been explored. Ken Hick said: "Forest trees don't usually grow well in urban environments, but this one does. "As for being dangerous, all we can do is go by an arboricultural officer - someone who actually knows. "If this one is not dangerous then under no circumstances should we go along with the felling of this fine specimen. But a note of caution came from Bob Ayer, who reminded members the health of the tree may not be as it seems. "You won't find a more closely monitored tree. The district officers have already saved the tree once, but I must send a note of caution. The tree might not be as well as it looks," he said. "We should express pretty massive concerns and put our trust in the arboricultural officer. "Cutting it down is a very last resort. It probably will have to come down one day, but the question is whether it is today." Mr Graver told The Herald it was not his intention to fell the tree to make way for a car park. He added he had recently submitted the findings of a tree expert to EHDC. "It has got a fungal disease. We had an arboriculturalist take some samples from it," he said. "Once it has got a disease I can't insure it against accidental damage. "It has been pollarded in the past, which has made it worse. The structure is no longer sound. "And there are people walking and parking right next to it. "There is no question it is a danger, because it has got this fungus. "Last time the town council wanted further information. Since then we have had the tree experts look at it. They say it is not something to be ignored. "I regret it too, but I can no longer insure it. We do intend to put some new trees there."