ECO-WARRIORS are going underground in their battle to save a 300-year-old beech tree in Mansfield Woodhouse from the chop.
For determined protesters have now set up home in a network of underground tunnels around the historic tree — defying a legal ruling to have them thrown off the site.
Campaigners pledged to dig in just hours after they were told by a judge that property developer Bellway Homes could evict them from their tree top protest.
And they warned that Monday's court setback will only spark more protests, with eco-warriors pledging to find 'other legal avenues' to save the ancient tree.
Protesters are furious that Bellway wants to pull down the tree to build a new junction at the corner of Sherwood Rise and Debdale Lane as part of controversial plans to build 274 homes on the old Sherwood pit site.
Nearby residents dispute the developer's claim that it owns all the land and insist the project would deny access to an area used as public recreation for more than 40 years.
Speaking after the hearing at Mansfield County Court, local activist Cookie told Chad: "We still claim that we are legally there because it's a village green. The local people have used this land down the years and that makes it a village green.
"It's pretty disgusting they are trying to rush things through without hearing the evidence. We have always been on the defensive and have never had the opportunity of giving our evidence. You can't win unless you go on the attack and that is what we intend to do."
A bid by Bellway to remove the tree dwellers failed two weeks ago when Judge Stephen Waine gave protesters more time to prepare their own case over the disputed land.
But at Monday's hearing the judge said he had no option but to grant an occupation order to evict the eco-warriors because they did not have enough 'documentary' evidence to back up their claims.
Said Judge Waine: "I do find it particularly unfortunate that these trees have to come down. They are clearly substantial trees and mean a great deal to people who live in that area and simply cannot be replaced."
But he said planning permission had been granted after consultation with local authorities and told protesters that the law was not on their side.
A Bellway spokesman told Chad that the firm welcomed the 'logical and sensible' outcome and said it was now up to bailiffs to decide how and when the protesters will be removed.
Local independent councillor Coun Norman Cook was also happy with the decision and said the new junction would make it safer for motorists going to Sherwood Rise.
"Common sense has to prevail now, things have to move forward for progress," he said.