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23.11.04
Lib Dem councillors in Highgate are calling for an investigation into the
fate of a precious oak tree located in a building site in Highgate, which
party leader Neil Williams says may have been severely damaged as a result
of works carried out on it last week.
The controversy arose last Saturday morning when workers turned up at Tile
Kiln Lane N6 and carried out a severe pruning which council officers admit
has been very badly done and was in violation of specific instructions
granted that allowed for only the modest pruning of the tree.
Cllr Williams
is dismayed at the development on the narrow site adjacent to Archway, where
he opposed the granting of planing permission for the building of new homes
earlier in the year.
While the lower limbs of the tree have been left, the tree has been
considerably stripped away towards the crown. Cllr Williams wants a full
investigation into how and why the excess pruning took place, and has
welcomed the fact that Haringey Council has indicated that it will be pursuing an
enforcement order over the matter.
However, he would like all building
works on the site to be stopped until these issues have been fully resolved.
Neil Williams comments:
"I will be asking the planning department how this
situation came about. We have already lost one beautiful oak tree this year
from this sensitive site due to disease, and damage to the other oak tree
would be a real blow. My fears over how the green oasis of Tile Kile Lane
might be damaged by development are being realised, and urgent action needs
to be taken to protect what is left."
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