Object to Felling of Oakfield Road Plane Tree

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To: DTC@haringey.gov.uk

Subject: Objection to felling of tree 17TR000044, outside 63 Oakfield Road N4

Dear Planning Officer,

I object to the felling of tree 17TR000044, outside 63 Oakfield Road N4 for the following reasons:

[please insert your personal reasons here]

• The tree is healthy and vigorous - it’s of great asset value to the local community, helps cools our streets, disperse flood water, absorb pollution, support wildlife and biodiversity. It has stood for 120 years in our conservation area. Trees are proven to add value to an area and prevent crime.

• Both nearby houses (63/61) are now to be underpinned and there’s no evidence that once underpinned there is a risk of future damage to nearby houses, particularly if the tree is properly managed. It is not rational or a good use of council resources to maintain the decision to fell this tree. Following this logic, all trees will be felled.

• Trees should not be felled just in case there is ‘future risk.’ If this tree goes all mature trees in Haringey could be felled for implied or ‘future risk’. In Haringey’s Tree and Woodlands Plan they state: ‘Tree removal or pruning will NOT BE UNDERTAKEN where […] THERE IS A PERCEIVED RISK THAT SUBSIDENCE DAMAGE MAY OCCUR IN THE FUTURE’ (appendix 1, Tree and Woodland Plan, 2022)

• There is a considerable risk that removing the tree will cause damage to the houses through ‘heave.’ Information on heave is historically not gathered by the council and further supressed by insurers as it benefits insurers (in this case, Aviva and Allianz) to blame trees.

• Size really matters when it comes to trees. Keeping one big mature tree is much better than planting lots of small ones. It’s like replacing a £1 coin with a penny.

• Solutions to manage street trees and prevent felling should be fully trialled for a reasonable period. The Oakfield Plane Tree has not been pollarded for at least 2 years, it requires better management including a carefully engineered soil pit, water delivery options etc - community efforts have not even been considered. Haringey points to no independent monitoring of the tree and the adjacent properties as best practice requires. Other options to manage the Oakfield Plane Tree should be tried and then monitored for a reasonable period after the nearby houses are underpinned and the decision to fell then reviewed.

• In a time of climate breakdown and rising urban temperatures, the protection of mature street trees and increasing canopy must be a priority to protect local communities and wildlife. This accords with Haringey Council’s publicly stated policies.

Sincerely,

[please insert your name here]

[please insert your address here]

[please insert your postcode here]

[please insert your phone number here]