What is Robbie Williams’s Legal Battle Against a Diseased Tree About? Explained

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Robbie Williams has been granted approval to remove a decayed Norway maple infected with Honey Fungus from his £17 million London mansion. This tree, located within a conservation area and covered under a Tree Preservation Order (TPO), was deemed hazardous due to its advanced decay.

The council voted to take down the tree, explaining that it had exceeded its safe lifespan and needed to be replaced.

The decision led to dissatisfaction among Williams’ neighbors, who voiced their disapproval due to the apparent absence of substantiating evidence. One neighbor expressed their concern, stating, “The application seems almost devoid of specifics. Not a single report from a qualified arborist is provided to explain any potential tree diseases this might entail.

One person questioned, “Isn’t it necessary to have a written report for every proposed tree-felling, and isn’t it important to consider alternative actions before resorting to tree-felling as a last option?

Michael Goatly, a tree surgeon, submitted an application regarding a tree infected with Honey Fungus. He expressed concern about the tree’s structural integrity, and the council concurred, noting that there is no available chemical treatment for this disease. The application also contained proposals to plant a new tree in place of the Norway maple; the species has not been decided yet.

For several years, a disagreement has persisted between Williams and his neighbor, Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin. Earlier, Page resisted Williams’ proposal for an underground pool due to worries about vibrations impacting his historically significant dwelling. Eventually, Williams’ construction team was restricted to using only manual tools, which caused a substantial delay in the project completion.

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2025-01-08 15:52