In 1971 when Camden built Phases 7&8 of the Gospel Oak estate development, they left space for trees to be planted. There are several meters between between this London Plane tree and the building on the right.
In 2017 when Camden’s redevelopment of the Vicars’s Road workshops was built, a new London Plane tree was planted- on the left in the photo below.
It is clear that the 5 year old London Plane tree planted by Camden Council has little chance of surviving in such limited space.
Why on plant a tree in such a ridiculous place?
The reason is that Camden cut down four healthy Plane trees in order to build this development. The planners required these to be replaced, but did not insist that space was provided to enable them to grow to maturity.
Unfortunately the young trees will need to be cut down or severely pollarded in a few years time. It would be better if Camden provided space for trees to thrive.
It shows a lack of care and poor management. The new trees have been cynically used to meet planning obligations without any intention to plan for Camden’s future green intrastructure.
West Kentish Town 