THE Bishops' Castle oak was saved in a last-minute meeting in the field where it has stood for more than 200 years.

Ray Matthews, the businessman whose plan to build a warehouse on the site would have meant chopping it down, was present. With him was South Shropshire District Councillor Susan McCormack, who wanted to save both the tree and the warehouse.

The tree's fate appeared to be sealed in April when the council's development committee gave Mr Matthews leave to remove it as part of his plan. The decision angered Paula Middleton, member of a prominent local family. She had known the oak since she was a girl. She started the campaign that changed the committee's decision.

The council bought the field in the 1990s and turned it into a business park. Last October it agreed to sell 1.65 acres to Mr Matthews on a 125 year lease so that he could open a builders' merchants warehouse. It was only later that it was realised the tree, which experts say could easily live until well into the 22nd century, was in the way. Mr Matthews offered to replace it but that was not enough for Mrs Middleton.

She and her supporters tied yellow ribbons round the oak. Poems and pictures started to appear on it. The tree suddenly became a major issue, more important than the jobs that would be created if the warehouse was built.

District councillor Peter Phillips took up the cause. He contacted Graham Biggs, the council's chief executive, and learned that formal planning permission had not yet been issued. Because last October the executive committee had no way of knowing about the threat to the tree, it was asked to take another look at its original decision to sell the land.

This raised the risk that Bishop's Castle might lose the new jobs. A few days before the executive committee meeting, Mrs McCormack was asked to broker a compromise.

With responsibility for both the economy and environment in south Shropshire, she realised swift action was needed to save both the jobs and the tree. She said "I spoke to Mr Matthews and it was clear he was very concerned and unhappy and he was worried for his business. That was the third strand."

Mr Matthews and Mrs McCormack agreed to meet at the tree. The meeting began with less than 24 hours to go. Back at council HQ in Ludlow, head of property services John Bryan busily checking the legal details of any possible changes to the existing plan. At the tree and in later telephone conversations, including with leaders of the Wasteless Society which operates from the site, a new deal was clinched.

The Wasteless Society's recycling site at the business park will move and the warehouse go in its place. The council will pick up the tab for the necessary planning permissions. Not only will the tree be saved but there will be room in the park for another business.

The following morning, executive committee chairman Heather Kidd announced the deal to a council chamber packed with supporters of the tree. The new plan was approved unanimously.

If no-one else objects, the whole matter can be resolved in six weeks. But there will be disruption for up to four months while the recycling plant is put in its new place.

Said Graham Biggs "Everyone wins. Mr Matthews gets a better site, the community gets a better waste centre and the tree is kept."