Muswell Hill councillors Gail Engert and Lynne Featherstone have expressed their anger and dismay at the felling of trees in the council-run car park behind Marks & Spencer’s in Muswell Hill.There was outrage on Monday 24th May when it transpired that three trees in the car park had been felled, and that Haringey Council’s tree officer had not been consulted in advance of the action – an undertaking that had been given to Ms Engert by Haringey Council.

CllrEngert had in fact asked for the Council to increase the number of trees in the car park and to replace previous tree losses. While Haringey argued that the trees were difficult to protect in their present location in the car park, Ms Engert says that the Council had agreed as recently as five days ago that it would look at providing the existing trees with proper protection. As a last resort, Haringey had said itwould re-site them if necessary – but the trees were felled a few days later.

Cllr Gail Engert comments:

“I have asked for all works to be stopped immediately and that officers agree to a site visit to look at the impact of the loss of trees on the car park site. Trees should not be removed in this way. I have now asked that all further work on the site is suspended until the situation is properly assessed.”

Cllr Lynne Featherstone comments:

“I want Haringey Council to undertake to protect the remaining trees and plant extra specimens to replace the losses.”