Decision to chop down 300-year-old Suburb oak tree delayed after council forgets to notify residents

A decision on felling a 300-year-old oak tree, which surveyors claim is causing subsidence to neighbouring houses, has been delayed after Barnet Council forgot to inform residents about a planning meeting.

The oak, which predates surrounding properties in Hampstead Garden Suburb, is said to be causing cracks in walls, buckled floors and subsidence to two homes in Corringham Road.

A decision on whether the owners of the properties could have it chopped down was due to be taken at a planning sub-committee last Thursday.

But after forgetting to inform residents about the meeting planning officials have delayed the decision until next month.

A spokesman for the council said: “Because of an oversight in informing residents wishing to speak at the meeting of the committee date, this application was deferred and will be presented on November 6.

“We would like to apologise for the delay.”

Neighbours are expected to oppose the loss of the tree at the next meeting, having already sent some 52 separate objections to the oak being felled.

However the owner of one of the houses suffering subsidence has claimed the cost of damage to his house could reach £26,000.