Muswell Hill councillor Gail Engert has requested that Haringey Council urgently restore and replant gardens in a couple of estates in the N10 area following complaints from residents that plants and shrubbery had been crudely and drastically pruned.

The calls come after a visit by Cllr Engert to Valette and Winkley Courts, off St James’ Lane, with officers and residents last month.

Local residents, supported by Cllr Engert, expressed their concerns at the ‘excessive pruning’ and clearing of flowerbeds and shrubbery by Haringey Council. In response the Council agreed to look into ways of resolving the problem.

However when Cllr Engert made a follow up visit to the sites, she found there to be no improvement. She has now contacted Haringey Council to seek assurances that action will be taken soon to restore and improve the beds.

Cllr Engert (Muswell Hill) comments:

“The visit that I made with Haringey Council to these sites was highly productive and many of the other issues that were raised by residents are now being addressed. However I am a little concerned the flowerbeds issue may have been pushed to one side.

“Having spoken to some of the residents on my visit, I know how important the greenery around the courts is to them. The Council need to make sure that they review their ‘slash and burn’ methods for pruning and reinstate attractive planting in the flowerbeds.”