Brent Council places Tree Preservation Order on trees at Reservoir Cottage, Welsh Harp

 

Reservoir Cottage after removal of vegetation

 

The cottage and surrounding trees (Google Earth)

 

Wembley Matters drew attention to what looked like possible preparations for development at the Georgian Reservoir Cottage back in December 2022. LINK Some vegetation had already been cleared. There was concern at the possible loss of green space and habitat at the site.

Earlier this month Brent Trees Officer, Julie Hughes, made a Tree Protection Order (TPO) on a number of trees on the site. The Order said:

• We have made this order because the trees are of significant amenity value and:
• Contribute to the attractiveness of the area adjacent to Welsh Harp Open Space and car park.
• Are important for their contribution to biodiversity directly adjacent to Welsh Harp SSSI.
• These trees should be retained in any future redevelopment of the site.
• Enhance the value of the street scene of Birchen Grove, views from the Sailing Club and the Welsh Harp car park. 

The temporary order remains in force for 6 months during which the Council will decide whether it should be given permanent status.

The Order means that no one is allowed to cut down, top or lop without Brent's permission any of the trees described in the 1st schedule of the order and include a willow, yew tree and 9 oak trees.

 

 

Locals succeed in social media rapid action to save threatened oak tree

 

 

 

 

There was rapid support when a Dollis Hill resident appealed on the community website Next Door for help after he spotted hard hatted tree surgeons seemingly about to fell some mature trees, including an oak, in a private garden bordering a public space.

 Advice poured in on Facebook and The View from Dollis Hill Facebook group and Brent's Tree Protection Officer was contacted. A temporary Tree Protection Order had been put in place by the end of the day.

Ronan, the resident who raised the alarm and someone who clearly values the borough's trees takes up the story:

Brent's Tree Protection Officer was receptive to examining one particular mature oak tree and determined its value worthy of protection.It is viewable from multiple properties and the street, forming a dense cover between houses and providing a wonderful habitat for wildlife.

There are so few mature oaks outside of parks and each one is a significant loss to our ecological community. Having seen too often such trees get the chop, I was aware time was limited. Fortunately Brent's Tree Protection Officer was able to act quickly enough. It's reassuring to see the support on Nextdoor.co.uk and local facebook groups, it seems clear that there would be vocal opposition to plans to harm the trees in this area. It's worth noting, requesting a TPO can be done by anybody in any borough. www.ltoa.org.uk has the details for each London borough and we should all make some effort to identify significant trees on public and private land. They are our community and voiceless and  require us to speak up when they are at risk.

 Now the community will turn to the task of making sure the TPO is made permanent.