The five birch trees opposite the tube station had previously come under threat from a proposed new development, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

The mature trees in East Finchley (credit Roger Chapman)

Barnet Council has confirmed it no longer has plans to remove five 70-year-old birch trees opposite East Finchley Station.

Divisive plans for 75 new homes and a new nursery space have been proposed for the site, also occupied by Monkey Puzzle Nursery, by developer Places for Barnet, a partnership between the council and London Placemaking.

Earlier this year, 247 people signed a petition objecting to the project called ‘Cherry Tree Quarter’ over concerns the designs were not detailed enough and in their current state the proposals didn’t adhere with planning policy.

In July, Places for Barnet said the trees would need to be removed to enable the development to “come forward” but did add it would explore whether it could be “retained or replanted”.

However, shortly after Roger Chapman, chair of Friends of Cherry Tree Wood, who has pushed for tree preservation orders (TPOs) to be placed on the five trees since 2005, said the council suddenly approved the requests.

A separate petition, signed by over 700 people, was submitted to the council in June protesting the plans to have the five trees removed.

Roger said: “It was very surprising I have to say but I’m very grateful nevertheless. I think the council has recognised these particular trees do play a very valuable part, it’s never been about stopping development and it never was.”

He added: “All of a sudden I got an email, the officer had looked at it [the request] and recommended it and it had gone through.

“I can only think the fact we had 700 signatures behind it showed there was intense local support for such an action and I think the council did finally take that into account.”

Referring to Cherry Tree Quarter he said this decision “set the context” for “any future development”.

A council spokesperson said: “A tree preservation order has been made following receipt of a petition in relation to the trees located at the front of Park House.

“The petition will be heard by strategic planning committee in September.”

Despite questions over why the petition requires hearing after the requests have been approved, something the council has not addressed, Roger said nevertheless he was happy to present the case again to the committee.

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else. £84 annual supporters get a print copy by post and a digital copy of each month's before anyone else.