Barnsbury residents’ tree-saving demonstration - Labour MP Emily Thornberry joins protest to save two 100 year old trees

Published: 29 April 2011
by PETER GRUNER

LABOUR MP Emily Thornberry this week stepped into the row over the two 100-year-old London plane trees threatened with the axe in Barnsbury.

In a letter to Islington Council’s environment department, she calls on officers to “look again” at plans to axe the trees which its is claimed are causing subsidence to a property in Richmond Avenue. 

At the same time, Labour councillor Martin Klute, chairman of the borough’s planning sub committee, spoke out against the removal of the trees. “If we were to chop down every tree that might possibly one day cause damage to someone’s house there would be no trees left in any of our streets,” he said.

Meanwhile, residents and campaigners, including former Green councillor Katie Dawson,  gathered around the trees yesterday (Thursday) for a demonstration. 

A spokesman for the council said that a request to remove the trees was first made in 2007, and the council asked for more evidence that the trees might be causing subsidence. 

“The evidence the council requires is not subjective but hard facts such as the size and changing nature of cracks. Another assessment of the facts may be possible but the council is liable for the trees and has to make the final decision so taxpayers’ money is not put at risk.”

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