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Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER
Published: 22 February 2008

'Tree plan is flawed'

THE consultation into plans to axe 20 trees as part of a £100,000 landscaping scheme was “flawed” according to some of Islington’s own officers it was claimed this week.
Local Labour ward councillor Martin Klute intervened after residents in Duncan Terrace, off City Road, who want the trees removed, argued with those from opposite Colebrooke Row who want the trees saved.
The work due to begin next month has been put on hold after City University lecturer Rosie Waterhouse, a resident of Colebrooke Row, issued a Freedom of Information demand to inspect all the paperwork involving the scheme.
Now Cllr Klute, who has spoken with officers involved, claims they have admitted to him that the consultation could have been done better.
He added: “The officers agreed the drawings I had been sent were not clear, and also stated that they were actually contractors’ drawings, and not intended for the public to see.
“This means that, in effect, no drawings or illustrations have been produced for the public showing the final version of the scheme. Officers agreed that more could have been done to communicate the final version of the scheme to local residents.
“I believe the council now accepts the latter stages of the consultation were not as thorough as they could have been.”
Executive member for leisure Lib Dem Cllr Ruth Polling has called for a temporary halt of the work to ensure that the paperwork is satisfactory.
Contractors appointed by the council’s Greenspace team plan to remove dense laurel bushes from the park to allow more light into homes and to improve security.
Bushes will also be taken out to stop people using them as toilets.
The plans also include a new narrower footpath, wider grass areas, and more colourful, interesting and scented plants and shrubs.
Dr Jill Nicholls, chairwoman of the Duncan Terrace Association, accused Islington council of being “feeble” by not standing up to what appears to be last-minute objections to the scheme.

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