Harrow Council has approved the removal of a protected oak tree at 263 The Ridgeway, following concerns that it was causing damage to a neighbouring property.
The decision was made during a Planning Committee meeting on Wednesday 03 September 2025, where members heard that the tree was implicated in damage reported in 2022 after a particularly hot and dry summer. Site investigations confirmed the tree as the primary cause of the damage to the property at number 261.
While a root barrier was considered as an alternative, the insurers rejected the proposal, stating they would seek to recover the costs from the council if it was insisted upon. The approved plan includes the removal of the oak tree and its replacement with three new trees, with the costs covered by the insurers.
Councillor Nathan Parikh raised concerns about the potential for heave if the tree was removed, but Rebecca, a planning officer, responded that heave was rare and not a significant risk in this case.
Councillor Marilyn Ashton, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Planning & Regeneration, acknowledged the concerns about losing the tree, which was around a century old, but emphasised the need to be pragmatic. She stated that the insurance company was unlikely to cover the costs of a root barrier, and the council could face significant expenses in court.
Councillor Ashton said:
You've got a beautiful tree in the wrong place. Although the tree predated the house. And it's just the way it is. And I'm afraid you just have to be realistic.
Councillor Peymana Assad, a ward councillor for the area, noted that the area was special and that it was important to follow the advice of qualified professionals.
The committee voted to approve the removal of the tree, with three members abstaining.