Plans for 75 new homes and a new nursery space have been proposed for the site, also occupied by Monkey Puzzle Nursery, by developer Places for Barnet, a partnership between the council and London Placemaking.
Earlier this year, 247 people signed a petition objecting to the ‘Cherry Tree Quarter’ project over concerns the designs were not detailed enough and did not currently adhere with planning policy.
In July, Places for Barnet said the trees would need to be removed to enable the development to “come forward” but did add it would explore whether it could be “retained or replanted”.
But shortly after that, Friends of Cherry Tree Wood chair Roger Chapman, who has pushed for tree preservation orders (TPOs) to be placed on the five trees since 2005, said the council suddenly approved the requests.
A separate petition, signed by over 700 people, was submitted to the council in June protesting against plans to remove the five trees.
Roger said: “It was very surprising I have to say but I’m very grateful nevertheless. I think the council has recognised these particular trees do play a very valuable part. It’s never been about stopping development and it never was.”
He added: “All of a sudden I got an email, the officer had looked at it [the request] and recommended it and it had gone through.
“I can only think the fact we had 700 signatures behind it showed there was intense local support for such an action and I think the council did finally take that into account.”
Referring to Cherry Tree Quarter he said this decision “set the context” for “any future development”.
A council spokesperson said: “A tree preservation order has been made following receipt of a petition in relation to the trees located at the front of Park House.
“The petition will be heard by strategic planning committee in September.”
Despite questions over why the petition requires hearing after the requests have been approved, something the council has not addressed, Roger said nevertheless he was happy to present the case again to the committee.
