Land to the rear of 235, Archway Road, London, N6 5BS

Proposal

I seek consent to remove one mature cherry tree situated on a narrow stretch of land to the rear of a Garage on Southwood Avenue. The tree has reached a size that is no longer appropriate for its location and is causing ongoing damage to surrounding structures and the safe use of the property. The root system has caused damage to the boundary wall adjoining 235 Archway Road. This wall is not merely a boundary feature but also functions as a retaining wall supporting a significant volume of soil. The continued expansion of the root system is placing increasing pressure on the wall, resulting in structural deterioration and creating concern that further damage will occur if the tree is retained. In addition to the damage caused by its roots, the tree has developed a pronounced lean towards the neighbouring property at 235 Archway Road. The lean is such that the neighbouring owners have altered the alignment of their boundary fence to accommodate the tree trunk. This demonstrates the extent to which the tree has outgrown its location and illustrates the impact it is having on neighbouring land. The root system has also produced numerous exposed surface roots extending across the garden. These roots create uneven ground, impede safe access to parts of the property, and make routine maintenance increasingly difficult. The issues described above are inherent to the tree's size, maturity and root development rather than being temporary or capable of being resolved through routine pruning. Crown reduction or other pruning operations would not address the structural damage being caused below ground or the continuing pressure exerted on the retaining wall by the expanding root system. For these reasons, removal of the tree is considered to be the most appropriate long-term solution to prevent further structural damage, reduce the risk of future failure of the retaining wall, improve safe access within the property, and avoid continued encroachment towards the neighbouring property. The proposal relates to a single tree only. If the Council considers replacement planting appropriate, I would be willing to plant a smaller ornamental tree in a more suitable location within the garden, thereby maintaining the contribution to local amenity while avoiding a recurrence of the existing problems.