Planning application
P2026/1124/TRE
St Josephs Catholic Primary School, Dartmouth Park Hill, London, N19 5DT
Proposal
TPO application: 8 x Poplars (T6 to T14): any roots found within the upper 230mm of sub-base to be removed and replaced shall be severed. s211 notice: Sycamore (G2): any roots found within the upper 230mm of sub-base to be removed and replaced shall be severed. See accompanying reports for further details. Final Justification for Works The proposed works are required to address significant and ongoing damage to the existing tarmac playground at St Joseph’s Primary School. As set out within the submitted Arboricultural Report and Tree Works Plan, the deterioration has been caused by a combination of seasonal soil movement linked to water uptake by retained trees and the presence of shallow roots beneath the existing surfacing. This has resulted in lifting, cracking, and displacement of the tarmac, creating an uneven surface across the primary play area. The condition presents a clear trip hazard to pupils and staff and constitutes a health and safety concern. Given the constrained nature of the site and the limited availability of alternative outdoor space, the usability of the playground is now being compromised, impacting the day-to-day operation of the school. Investigations, including trial trenches, confirmed the presence of surface roots, although the majority of the tree root systems are located deeper than the existing construction. The proposed works therefore seek to address the damaged surfacing while minimising harm to the retained trees. The scheme involves reconstruction of the playground using a reduced excavation depth of approximately 230mm, with all works within Root Protection Areas undertaken carefully using hand tools and under arboricultural supervision. Any roots encountered within this upper layer will be cleanly pruned in accordance with best practice, avoiding unnecessary disturbance to deeper rooting structures. The introduction of a cellular confinement (crate) system within the new build-up is designed to provide a stable, load-distributing surface that reduces the likelihood of future damage, thereby supporting both the long-term usability of the playground and the continued retention of the protected trees. Overall, the works are considered necessary to resolve an existing safety issue while adopting a methodology that minimises impact on the protected trees and accords with arboricultural guidance.
As published by the council, reference P2026/1124/TRE
Timeline
Dates from the published record
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27 Apr 2026
Received by Islington
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29 May 2026
Validated
Checked as complete and ready for consideration.
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25 Jul 2026
Added to PlanIndex
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Decision
Awaiting decision
The statutory target is eight weeks for most applications and thirteen for major development. Extensions of time are common.
What happens while it is decided
The process from here
This application is with Islington for determination. The council publicises it, consults neighbours and technical bodies where required, and weighs the responses against local and national planning policy.
The statutory target is eight weeks for most applications and thirteen for major development, though extensions of time are common. Comments carry most weight while the case is undecided, so check the council portal for the deadline if you want to respond.
About trees applications
How this application type works
Tree applications cover work to protected trees: those under a tree preservation order need consent for pruning or felling, and trees in a conservation area need six weeks written notice before work starts. The council assesses the amenity value of the tree and can refuse consent, approve it with conditions, or in conservation areas make a preservation order in response.
Nearby applications
Within 500 metres
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P2025/1867/TRE Awaiting decision
St Josephs Catholic Primary School, Dartmouth Park Hill, London, N19 5DT
We are requesting the removal of a cherry tree LBI TPI 414 2009 to make space for a permanent outdoor classroom within our school’s environmental learning area. We are a large Primary school with 530 pupils (2 to 11 yrs) with a large number of children eligible for free school meals 31%. Many children do not have daily access to outdoor space and the school is the only area where they can fully engage in learning about growing plants and wildlife. The outdoor classroom will allow us to deliver a Forest School approach giving our children hands-on, nature-based experiences throughout the year. Unlike a traditional classroom, this space will sit at the heart of our outdoor learning zone, next to our pond and growing areas. It will help children feel part of nature, not just observers. Unfortunately, this is the only suitable site within our grounds that is large enough to put in place a meaningful building. Most other areas are sloped, already in use, or not accessible for younger pupils. The proposed site is: • Flat and safe for young children. • Central to our existing environmental learning resources. • Already contains a structure, so disruption to other areas will be minimal. • The only area that meets access, safety, and logistical requirements. This classroom will be used daily to deliver curriculum content and outdoor education. It will also be available for local groups and parent-led activities, and we would welcome the local authority to see it as a model for how outdoor learning can work within school grounds. The cherry tree on site is currently overgrown. While we understand it holds a CAVAT value and may be a Category B tree, it does not support our educational or biodiversity goals in its current state. By contrast, the new classroom will be a daily-used learning space, offering greater value to both pupils and the wider community. Our school has a strong record of supporting biodiversity. We’ve planted at least ten fruit trees in recent years to create a mini orchard, and would be happy to plant further replacements to offset the removal. We are also open to: • Planting replacement trees or making other biodiversity contributions – we would like to enhance our growing beds and develop the pond area as well as the habitat for our chickens. • Working with the LA to ensure no impact to nearby Root Protection Areas. For us, this project is such an important step in developing the environment & outdoor learning at our school. As an outstanding primary school and an exemplar of excellent and forward thinking practice of Primary curriculum this is part of the overall strategy to further enhance the children’s experiences. It’s a carefully planned, environmentally responsible initiative that will benefit children, staff, and the local community. We value all the trees and the beautiful environment around us and would not remove a tree if the educational and long-term environmental gains did not far outweigh the loss of this tree.
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P2021/1786/TRE Granted
St Josephs School, Dartmouth Park Hill, London, N19 5DT
St Joseph's RC Primary (various locations) (TPO ref - TPO 414/2009) 3444 (T14 on TPO Schedule) Lombardy Poplar - Reduce height by 6-8m and reduce lower crown to keep tree at a size suitable for its location and to prevent branches snapping out over play area. 3445 (T39 on TPO Schedule) Weeping Willow - Re-pollard to previous points removing 5m of re-growth. Reduce SE limb by a further 2-3m. Work being carried out to keep tree at a size suitable for its location and to prevent branches snapping out over play area. 3446 (T47 on TPO Schedule) Sycamore - Crown lift to 7-8m as branches are overhanging driveway.
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2013/4864/P Granted
Dartmouth Lodge Dartmouth Park Hill London N19 5JF
Change of use from ancillary park/caretaker's office to a single dwelling house (Class C3) including installation of timber access gate in east elevation boundary wall.
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2015/0135/P Granted
Dartmouth Lodge Dartmouth Park Hill London N19 5JF
Replacement of two first floor windows on east and west elevations, associated with the change of use from ancillary park/caretaker's office to a single dwelling house (Class C3) approved under planning permission 2013/4864/P dated 09/07/2014.
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P2025/0401/TRE Awaiting decision
10 Thornbury Square, London, N6 5YN
Yew (T1): Trim back to previous shape (approx. 50cm all round) X2 Lime (T2 & T3): Prune overhang to boundary (approx. 0.5 - 1m regrowth) Lime (T4): Re-pollard to most recent points Proposed work is to protect the health and stability of trees to be retained on the site, and to ensure that a satisfactory standard of visual amenity is provided and maintained. All specified work is within good arboricultural practice and husbandry.
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P2024/2448/FUL Granted
8 Netherleigh Close, London, N6 5LL
Replace existing single glazed windows and doors with double glazed timber windows to front and rear elevations. Replacement door to rear elevation
Other trees applications
In Islington
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P2026/1697/TRE Granted
24, Furlong Road, London, N7 8LS
T1. False Acacia. Mature tree with significant dieback throughout canopy. History of shedding branches. Dieback from canopy tips indicating rooting disorder. No Safe useful life expectancy. Fell to ground level. Replant with x1 standard tree 12/14cm in girth in following planting season.
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P2026/1874/TRE Awaiting decision
62, Aberdeen Park, London, N5 2BL
Trees Located in rear garden T1 - Birch - reduce crown to points of previous reduction (1.5m approx. branch removal) T2, T3 - Limes - Reduce crowns to points of previous reduction (2m approx. branch removal) This work is proposed to continue the regular management cycle of these trees in line with good arboricultural practise
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P2026/1866/TRE Awaiting decision
2, Hanbury Mews, London, N1 7DW
T2, T3 Walnut, crown reduce to most recent points, approx. 1.5m. Cyclical maintenance.
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P2026/1764/TRE Granted
62 Northchurch Road, London, N1 3NY
T1 - Front garden - Tilla sp Crown lift lower canopy to approximately 4 metres above ground level to improve light levels to the ground floor window whilst maintaining a balanced crown structure. Reduce crown back from the building to provide approximately 2 metres clearance from the structure. Reduce upper canopy by approximately 2–3 metres from branch ends, pruning to suitable growth points throughout. Works to retain as much healthy internal foliage as reasonably practicable, with the objective of managing the overall size of the tree whilst encouraging regrowth within the upper crown and reducing the development of aggressive basal and epicormic growth. Tree previously managed as a high pollard
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P2026/1357/TRE Granted
355 Camden Road, London
T3 Ash of the submitted MWA Arboricultural Report Works: Remove (fell) to near ground level and treat stump to inhibit regrowth. Reason: Clay shrinkage subsidence damage at the subject property.