The developer of a new housing development admitted the trees must be removed, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

The mature trees in East Finchley (credit Roger Chapman)

Five 70-year-old mature trees in East Finchley may have to be felled as part of a housing development.

The silver birch trees stand outside Park House, home to Monkey Puzzle Nursery opposite East Finchley Station, where developer Places for Barnet is set to build 75 new homes and replace the nursery.

However Roger Chapman, chair of Friends of Cherry Tree Wood, said the developer was showing “utter contempt” for the value local people placed on the trees. He added retaining them would be in keeping with Barnet Council’s Local Plan 2021-2036.

In regards to Park House the Local Plan states under “site requirements and development guidelines” the area of green space “with the mature trees”, in front of Park House, should be “maintained and improved”.

Places for Barnet, a partnership between the council and London Placemaking, said “unfortunately” the trees needed to be removed to enable the redevelopment to “come forward” but it was “exploring” whether the trees could be “retained and replanted”.

A council spokesperson said the trees, at present, were “not considered to be at immediate risk of removal”.

Roger explained that, back in 2005, he had requested the council place a tree preservation order (TPO) on each of the five trees but this was rejected as there was “no threat to them at that time”.

Now, over 700 people have signed a petition, both online and offline, requesting the trees be placed under TPOs.

Roger said a council tree officer confirmed on Tuesday (1st) an assessment on whether to grant or reject TPO status for the five trees would be carried out.

Roger said: “We’re not saying there should be no development, we’re saying the development should be on the basis of maintaining the mature trees and the open space in front of the site.

“They are mature trees, which are of amazing amenity value both visually and for the climate change benefits they give in terms of purifying the air and doing good things for the soil.

“They’re also significant as they act as a lead route into Cherry Tree Wood.”

To date, Roger said residents had only seen “sketches” of the scheme so people were unsure how it would “fit in” and how it “related to the rest of the area”.

Aware the proposals included plans to replace the five trees with eleven new trees, Roger said: “Promising a few ‘sticks’ to replace such fine trees is typical developer tripe.”

The council spokesperson said the petition would be heard by the strategic planning committee in September “at the earliest” but “prior to this” a report from the tree officer, assessing the trees’ “suitability for inclusion” within a TPO, would be carried out.

They added: “As of yet, no plans or application has been submitted to the planning department for consideration and any application that is made would need to take account of the policies and guidance set out within the Local Plan.”

However, a spokesperson for Places for Barnet emphasised the removal was a necessity.

Places for Barnet’s spokesperson said: “We are committed to delivering much-needed homes while maximising biodiversity on site, and we remain open to discussions on tree planting and improving access to Cherry Tree Wood for the local community.

“The single tree protected by a TPO on-site (the yew tree adjacent to Hamlet Gate) will be retained. Five existing trees will unfortunately need to be removed in order to enable the redevelopment to come forward. We are currently exploring whether the trees can be retained and replanted.

“Overall, we will provide eleven new trees and considerable other planting across the site, which will show some areas of considerable uplift in biodiversity on the site.

“A full landscape design is being developed including the planting of two new silver birches within the street design and a number of additional trees on the edges of the site which will further enhance the streetscape.

“There will be other landscaping including areas for wildflowers and shrubs, woodland planting in shaded areas and planters. An arboricultural assessment by an expert consultant will accompany the forthcoming planning application to the council.

“Cherry Tree Quarter will deliver 75 high-quality new homes and a bespoke replacement nursery, designed in full collaboration with the current nursery owner. Proceeds from private home sales will help fund much-needed social rent homes in Barnet. Following positive discussions with the council and local community, we plan to submit a planning application later this summer.

“We have also been exploring the potential for a new, picturesque entrance into Cherry Tree Wood to improve access and wayfinding. We have made efforts to engage with the Friends of Cherry Tree Wood and remain open to engaging with them, should they wish to work on a codesign proposal.

“TPOs are determined by the council, and Places for Barnet is not in a position to comment further on this.”

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