150-year-old tree to be pulled down by developers (From Croydon Guardian)

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150-year-old tree to be pulled down by developers

3:10pm Monday 19th May 2008

comment Comments (19) Have your say »

By Gemma Wheatley »

Developers are set to pull down a 150-year-old Oak tree in the Crystal Palace conservation area after the council have apparantly given the go-ahead.

Residents and local councillors are appalled at the decision to pull down the tree in Harold Road, Upper Norwood, and are now campaigning to save it before it is given the chop on Thursday.

One resident, Sara Carr, arranged for a private inspection of the tree by a surgeon who claimed that it was in the best condition possible and that it could potentially survive for another 150 years.

The developers are hoping to build a set of garages on the site and applied to the council for permission to which it is believed has been approved.

Councillor Pat Ryan said: "It is quite amazing that this tree can be pulled down because these developers want something - I think it is outrageous especially when the council claim they are doing all they can to keep trees."

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Your Say YourCroydon

ren, croydon says...
5:04pm Mon 19 May 08

Absolutely Disgusting! How dare 150 year old tree stand in the way of car-park development! Didn't they realise 150 years ago that short-term greed would rule the world instead of ensuring our kids actually have oxygen to breathe?

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Lynn, London says...
6:12pm Mon 19 May 08

I think it's an absolute outrage that Croydon Council has allowed this to happen and in a conservation area too. Surely with the environment on the top of everyones agenda this is the last thing they should be approving.Is it really more important to garage your car than to save this magnificent tree that cuts pollution rather than creating it? I hope the residents fight their cause and win.

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Arfur Towcrate, Staffycher says...
6:54pm Mon 19 May 08

That's what happens when you vote Tory.

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Mike Melbourne, Ex Croydon says...
7:40pm Mon 19 May 08

I expect the developers have a "mate" on the council.

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Kes, Upper Norwood says...
8:28pm Mon 19 May 08

Arfur Towcrate wrote:
That's what happens when you vote Tory.

You get Gordon Brown when you vote Labour!!

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Kes, Upper Norwood says...
8:42pm Mon 19 May 08

Kes wrote:

Arfur Towcrate wrote: That's what happens when you vote Tory.
You get Gordon Brown when you vote Labour!!

And a 27% council tax increase when Labour ran the council!!

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sarah & mike, east anglia says...
9:26pm Mon 19 May 08

We feel this is an absolute outrage that this wonderful tree which has taken around 150 years to reach maturity is under threat. In view of global warming this tree and it's wildlife should be cared for not destroyed to make way for garages.This is completely imoral.

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Arfur Towcrate, Staffycher says...
9:43pm Mon 19 May 08

Kes wrote:

Kes wrote:

Arfur Towcrate wrote: That's what happens when you vote Tory.
You get Gordon Brown when you vote Labour!!
And a 27% council tax increase when Labour ran the council!!

Is that the best you can do?

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local resident, upper norwood says...
6:26am Tue 20 May 08

So called priorities nowadays show no regard for the local environment. I am very surprised that there has not been a preservation order put on this tree. Its in a conservation area, I live in Harold Road conservation area every time we want to professionally trim our trees we have to get planning permission - quite rightly so. However, this is an extreme case of a magnificent tree in the way of so called progress and it seems that any planning permissions etc can be waived! It might be an idea for all those that live in conservation areas to identify any trees on land that may be earmarked for development and get them protected.

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Paul, Upper Norwood says...
8:34am Tue 20 May 08

"Councillor Pat Ryan said: "It is quite amazing that this tree can be pulled down because these developers want something - I think it is outrageous especially when the council claim they are doing all they can to keep trees."

Pat Ryan!!! Post Offices, Crystal Palace Library -- is there no end to this Cllr's involvement?

Obviously realises his jobs at risk.

Pity he couldn't be bothered to take up the matter of rubbish in alleys around Upper Norwood when I wrote to him; didn't even receive a reply.

Pat Ryan = Sinecure

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trasie, Mitcham says...
9:37am Tue 20 May 08

I'm just wondering how much the developers had to pay the council official to get the permission. Very dodgey.

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someone who knows, somewhere near says...
11:30am Tue 20 May 08

trasie wrote:
I'm just wondering how much the developers had to pay the council official to get the permission. Very dodgey.

Don't think thats the case. Croydon is now Conservative controlled.

Anyone know why Cllr Adrian Dennis Lab.(planning) was deselected?

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Kes, Upper Norwood says...
12:51pm Tue 20 May 08

Arfur Towcrate wrote:

Kes wrote:
Kes wrote:
Arfur Towcrate wrote: That's what happens when you vote Tory.
You get Gordon Brown when you vote Labour!!
And a 27% council tax increase when Labour ran the council!!
Is that the best you can do?

I tell you one thing-a 27% council tax increase in one year from Labour-controlled Croydon mens more to me than a tree.

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Kes, Upper Norwood says...
12:55pm Tue 20 May 08

Paul wrote:
"Councillor Pat Ryan said: "It is quite amazing that this tree can be pulled down because these developers want something - I think it is outrageous especially when the council claim they are doing all they can to keep trees." Pat Ryan!!! Post Offices, Crystal Palace Library -- is there no end to this Cllr's involvement? Obviously realises his jobs at risk. Pity he couldn't be bothered to take up the matter of rubbish in alleys around Upper Norwood when I wrote to him; didn't even receive a reply. Pat Ryan = Sinecure

Was that when Labour were in charge, Paul?

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local resident, upper norwood says...
5:51pm Tue 20 May 08

Don't let's go at the one Councillor who has spoken out on this issue - there are 3 councillors in this ward let's hear from the other two on these matters! 150 year old tree in a conservation area they should all be throwing their hands in the air in disgust.

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Kes, Upper Norwood says...
6:29pm Tue 20 May 08

I'm more worried about blocks of flats going up in back gardens. Another three houses sold off on Beulah Hill. If the council say 'No' they ofter get over-ruled by government inspectors. That's what we should be 'throwing hands in the air' for

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Arfur Towcrate, Staffycher says...
8:45pm Tue 20 May 08

someone who knows wrote:

trasie wrote:
I'm just wondering how much the developers had to pay the council official to get the permission. Very dodgey.
Don't think thats the case. Croydon is now Conservative controlled.

Anyone know why Cllr Adrian Dennis Lab.(planning) was deselected?

The simple answer is that he lost out in the ward selection process to somebody else. However, I reckon it was also because as a "Cabinet member" he became too detached from local issues, and he possibly fell victim to the changing demographics.

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Paul, Upper Norwood says...
5:44am Wed 28 May 08

Kes wrote:

Paul wrote: "Councillor Pat Ryan said: "It is quite amazing that this tree can be pulled down because these developers want something - I think it is outrageous especially when the council claim they are doing all they can to keep trees." Pat Ryan!!! Post Offices, Crystal Palace Library -- is there no end to this Cllr's involvement? Obviously realises his jobs at risk. Pity he couldn't be bothered to take up the matter of rubbish in alleys around Upper Norwood when I wrote to him; didn't even receive a reply. Pat Ryan = Sinecure
Was that when Labour were in charge, Paul?

Yes it was. The rising Conservative representative took the matter up and sorted it in days and he wasn't in office.

Amazing that Cllr Ryan now has his oar in anything career promoting, don't you think?

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Tina, Shirley says...
9:52am Thu 12 Jun 08

Can someone advise me how to find out if a tree is a candidate to be protected? There is a beautiful tree near my home that will be destroyed if plans to overdevelop the land by demolishing 2 houses and building 8 on the plot move forward. Any advice to stop this welcome.

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