Published: 16 February 2012
by DAN CARRIER

MONTY Python actor Terry Jones has become involved in a row over plans to create an orchard on a set of allotments after pledging to fight for the “last country lane in London”.

The Fitzroy Park Allotment Association has asked the Town Hall for permission to cut down mature sycamore trees that run along the border of the Highgate site, and replace them with a hedgerow, a willow coppice and a selection of fruit trees.

Work is due to start next week, but the potential loss of a set of sycamore trees – which have self-seeded and now provide a row of cover along the edges of the allotments – has sparked a furious response from residents living opposite.

Mr Jones said the plans to chop down the trees would ruin the look of a much-loved rural through-route to Hampstead Heath.

He said: “I do not have a quarrel with people tending their allotments, and I understand their point of view – six or seven of the plots are shaded by the trees.

“But there has to be a compromise reached between allotment holders and the people who live here.

There has not been proper consultation and Fitzroy Park is the last country lane left in London.

“There are thousands of people who walk down here to get to the Heath and enjoy it because of the countryside feel.

If they take these trees down, it will lose its rural feel.”

Karen Beare, of the Fitzroy Park Residents Association, said members were not convinced the trees needed to come down.

She said: “The allotment holders have wanted to fell them for some time.

They had previously looked at felling many more and they faced an absolute storm of protest.

“It is because they cover 12 allotments in shade, not because they want to grow a new orchard.”

Ms Beare said that the trees formed a vital backdrop for views from Hampstead Heath, blocking out houses that could otherwise be seen.

The orchard scheme has the backing from a variety of groups, including the Forestry Commission.

Highgate ward Green councillor Maya de Souza called on the two groups to find a compromise.

She said: “I share the residents’ commitment to maintaining the rural ambience of the area and the approach to the Heath is very special.

The orchard scheme, with protection of key large trees, will preserve this ambience.”

Co-chairwoman of the Fitzroy Park Allotment Association Deborah Schneebeli-Morrell said the handful of trees felled would be replaced by more suitable species.

She added: “We recognise the unique value of a place like this and we plan to enhance the site.

“We want a mix of trees such as apple, plum pear and cherry.

“We will leave native oaks, sweet chestnut, yew and hazel trees as well as some mature sycamores.

“It would be a huge improvement and once the trees are planted and fruiting they will bring  advantages not only for the allotment holders, but also neighbours and people strolling past.”

Ms Schneebeli-Morrell said that sycamores supported very little in terms of species, had fibrous roots that made it hard for other plants to flourish near them, and cast shade over plots.

A Camden Council spokeswoman said: “Camden supports this project as it will give the wider community access to an area of land that could not previously be used.”