Lib Dem councillors in Highgate are calling for an investigation into thefate of a precious oak tree located in a building site in Highgate, whichparty leader Neil Williams says may have been severely damaged as a resultof works carried out on it last week.

The controversy arose last Saturday morning when workers turned up at TileKiln Lane N6 and carried out a severe pruning which council officers admithas been very badly done and was in violation of specific instructionsgranted that allowed for only the modest pruning of the tree.

Cllr Williamsis dismayed at the development on the narrow site adjacent to Archway, wherehe opposed the granting of planing permission for the building of new homesearlier in the year.

While the lower limbs of the tree have been left, the tree has beenconsiderably stripped away towards the crown. Cllr Williams wants a fullinvestigation into how and why the excess pruning took place, and haswelcomed the fact that Haringey Council has indicated that it will be pursuing anenforcement order over the matter.

However, he would like all buildingworks on the site to be stopped until these issues have been fully resolved.

Neil Williams comments:

“I will be asking the planning department how thissituation came about. We have already lost one beautiful oak tree this yearfrom this sensitive site due to disease, and damage to the other oak treewould be a real blow.My fears over how the green oasis of Tile Kile Lanemight be damaged by development are being realised, and urgent action needsto be taken to protect what is left.”