The spot in Belsize Square where the tree once stood

A TOWERING chestnut tree in Belsize Village has been felled, with businesses and residents calling for a full-size replacement rather than a sapling that could take decades to mature.

The tree has been the centrepiece of the pedestrianised square, decked out with bunting during summer celebrations, and with Christmas lights in the festive season, as well as providing shade in the heat over restaurant tables. Residents and business owners have called for a like-for-like replacement.

Phil Peters told the New Journal he was prepared to fundraise to pay for a mature tree rather than a “2ft-high little sapling that you can buy at B&Q”.

“The square is the first site in the whole country to get permanent status for a streatery and the tree holds pride of place and shades diners in a lovely, lovely setting, so replacing it with a tiny little tree is not going to be good for the restaurateurs,” said Mr Peters, who has been a pioneer of the al-fresco set-up in Belsize Square since 2020.

Nine restaurants and cafes around the village square now have seating outside, which creates a “continental plaza” feeling, Mr Peters added. “It absolutely transformed the place, and continues to do so.”

Phil Peters

The scheme was criticised at the time by parents who questioned why the public space was being handed over to businesses to boost earnings.

Chair of the Belsize Village Business Association, Robert Stephenson-Padron OBE, also led the village’s revitalisation along with Mr Peters back in 2020.

He said: “The tree affects everyone, because it’s smack down in the centre of the village, and so of course it will change the character of the entire square if it is removed and not replaced quickly.

“The concern I hear from residents and businesses is that it is replaced quickly – and if they replace it with a young tree, it won’t be the same.”

Mr Stephenson-Padron said he was “optimistic” that the new tree would be promptly planted and suitably sized, adding: “The council are always very responsive, so I’m quite hopeful.”

The tree, on the left, before it was felled

Camden’s sustainability chief Cllr James Slater said: “We know that trees are vital, helping make the urban environment more liveable and providing part of our response to the climate emergency.

“The existing dead tree will be replaced as part of our tree-planting programme this winter.

“Our tree-planting strategy sets out the most suitable and sustainable specimens to plant depending on the specific location.

“In this instance we will be planting a tree that will be approximately 3.5 to 4 metres tall. This is because they have smaller root systems and are easier to accommodate into the pavement. They also require less water than a larger tree would and become independent in the landscape quicker.”