Protesters fighting to save a mature tree from being cut down to make way for a five-storey block of flats are staging a sit-in at the site.

Save The Duke campaigners, who have occupied the site since Tuesday, believe the sycamore tree in Duke Street in Margate should be protected and are calling on Thanet District Council to rethink its decision to allow the felling.

The local authority this week raised no objection to the tree being removed, despite 68 letters calling for it to be saved.

But in its decision notice, the authority says while it is "regrettable" the tree will be lost, it would be difficult to develop the site and retain the sycamore.

"Given the site's prominent location within the Conservation Area, greater weight is placed on utilising this site in a positive manner rather than retaining the empty gap which does not enhance or preserve its special character," the case officer said.

The planned development involves a five-storey building for five flats and a commercial unit on the ground floor, but means the loss of the sycamore.

Ten years ago, the area had been earmarked as a site for a community garden as part of the Turner Contemporary regeneration project, but was sold off some years later as part of the council's asset disposal programme instead.

Those against the removal of the tree have formed a group called Save The Duke and have been camping out at the site since Tuesday to ensure its protection.

Campaigner Dosh Archer says they want to reclaim the community garden, which they believe should have been created at the site.

"The Duke Street sycamore forms part of the skyline when seen from the harbour of the iconic seaside town of Margate, and is now under a death sentence passed by Thanet District Council," she said.

"It is one of the last remaining trees in Old Town Margate and is an essential haven for wildlife and pollinators.

"It cools the air in summer and provides shade, and produces over 100kg of oxygen per year.

"This tree is an essential part of the natural flood defences and generally improves wellbeing for all.

"Now the council has given the decision to fell the tree, despite the objections, some of which refer to relevant laws which exist to protect trees such as the Duke.

"A block of flats which is not in keeping with the conservation area will take the place of this grand tree."

She also claims the land was sold off at an inflated price and the tree ignored.

"The community garden would have formed part of the Conservation Area, and would have provided a tranquil sanctuary close to the busy seafront," she said.

The campaign group is now demanding immediate protection for the tree.

It has created a petition and a crowdjustice campaign - which will raise money for the legal fight - to challenge the council's decision.

Find the petition at https://bit.ly/3t14oQY and the crowdjustice page at www.crowdjustice.com/case/save-the-duke-street-sycamore/

A spokesman for Thanet council said: "Consent to approve the felling of the sycamore tree in Duke Street was granted by the planning committee in June 2018, prior to the Climate Emergency declaration.

"At the time, greater weight was given to using the site, which is in a Conservation Area, in a positive way and the recent notice to the council of intention to fell the tree took this previous permission and full planning analysis into consideration.

"The council is currently developing a district-wide tree strategy to plan where trees can be added and what species would be suitable in each specific area.

"Our Local Plan also includes a biodiversity net gain policy which has to be considered when determining all planning applications."

Read more: All the latest news from Thanet