Reprieve for Happy Man Tree as planning decision to be reconsidered

Plans for the removal of an ancient plane tree in Woodberry Down are to be reconsidered by Hackney Council’s planning committee.

The reappraisal of the fate of the so-called Happy Man Tree, the focus of widespread protest this year, will take place as a result of the publication of the Town Hall’s new Local Plan, which regulates development in the borough.

According to the council, any planning applications that are major, controversial or would be particularly affected by new policy in the plan, and that have not been approved by the Mayor of London, must be reconsidered by councillors.

The Save the Happy Man Tree campaign, which has so far attracted the signatures of just under 25,000 people to prevent the ancient plane’s removal, is now urging members of the public to put their views in writing as part of the planning application.

Architect and Save the Happy Man Tree campaigner John Wood said: “We’re optimistic and really glad that this is coming up for review, for whatever reason.

“We’re making people aware that they’re allowed to put forward their views about it.

“People should be aware that it is not too late now to object, and they should put forward however they feel about the tree. We would absolutely encourage them to do that.”

Wood added that the campaign is also working on an alternative design and energy strategy for this phase of the Woodberry Down development, aimed at challenging the argument that retention of the tree would make the provision of affordable housing in the new buildings more difficult.

The regeneration’s third phase would see over 200 homes for social rent and shared ownership, with 175 new trees also set to be planted along with the opening up of the equivalent of 29 tennis courts of new open space and a public park.

Both the Town Hall and developer Berkeley Homes have committed that the Happy Man Tree will not be damaged or removed until after the planning process has completed.

It is understood that the Woodberry Down Community Organisation, which represents residents in the partnership agreement with council and developer, have been invited to call a board meeting for locals to hear more about the application and ask questions about the removal of the tree.

A statement from Hackney Council added: “The planning application was submitted following more than a year of consultation with local people – including dozens of workshops, exhibitions and open days. The designs were agreed by a design committee made up of local residents, council officers, and Notting Hill Genesis and Berkeley Homes staff.

“The ‘Happy Man Tree’ had been identified for removal for more than a decade, and although no concerns were raised in previous extensive consultation, when the issue was raised last year, the application was paused and a series of workshops were held with elected resident representatives to look at other options for the design of the scheme.

“An independent report was also commissioned to understand the impact of the loss of the tree and what mitigation measures would mean for the biodiversity of the area. This report, submitted as part of the application, details that the mitigation measures put in place would have a net benefit on biodiversity on the estate.

“After months of workshops and meetings, it became clear that there was not a way to avoid removing the tree without causing a 15-month delay to the construction of affordable housing, and a redesign of the project.”

Campaigners spoke to the Citizen in June about their fight to save the tree.

To view the application and comment on the plans, visit the council’s planning pages and search for application number 2019/2514