ROBBIE Williams got into a heated row with his neighbors over an infected maple tree outside his £17m London mansion.
The Take That star claimed the Norway maple tree – located near Led Zeppelin rocker Jimmy Page’s home – is suffering from honey fungus, a deadly root disease that could cause it to fall over at any moment.
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Robbie Williams and his wife Ayda Field live in an estate in Kensington Credit: Getty
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Robbie Williams’ estate can be found near the home of another celebrity
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Images taken from the RBKC planning portal show damage and disease at the base of the tree
Robbie submitted plans to take down the tree but was angered by neighbors whose letters to the council dismissed the request as “grossly inadequate”.
One angry letter claimed there was “no supporting detail” to support the application and insisted there was “no report” from a qualified arborist to explain the disease or provide alternative options for the tree.
They also lamented that “Polaroid photographs” and lack of attachments had never in their “experience” influenced “Grade II planning decisions”.
Despite objections, Robbie was given permission for the tree to be removed – with the council saying it was an “overripe” specimen in “poor general health”.
Robbie has lived in his historic mansion in London’s Kensington for more than a decade.
The rotting tree in question is also near the home of Led Zeppelin rocker Jimmy Page.
The pair have been embroiled in numerous disagreements in the past, with Page opposing Robbie’s attempts to build an underground pool and gym.
Robbie had also previously attempted to remove trees between their homes, seeking to cut down 14 plants to allow more light into his property.
Page claimed the vibrations caused by the digging would damage priceless frescoes in his nearby Grade I-listed house, where he has lived for more than 50 years.
In Robbie’s latest report to the council – regarding the diseased maple tree – Michael Goatly of Putney Tree Specialists insisted the tree was still infected with honey fungus.
I’ve felt really stupid all my life – so I’m going to do my GCSEs again to prove I’m not stupid-stupid, says Robbie Williams
The pest is common in London with a particular prevalence in the northern areas of the city, Hampstead and Highgate.
Goatly revealed Robbie’s fear that the tree might fall by ticking “yes” to a question that was part of the application.
Angry letters from neighbors previously sent to the council outlined four main reasons against cutting down the tree.
The first criticized the singer for “zero accompanying details” about the application.
It turned out that there was “no report” from a qualified arborist to explain the disease or alternative options for the tree.
They continue: “Only five or six photos, one of which is of the entire tree, taken from the road, were attached to the application as (scarce) information.
“So the remaining four to five photos are simply close-ups of tree bark; an endangered tree, I guess.
“Just a few shots; no text, no explanation, no report, no technical details.”
They also described how “Polaroid shots” and the lack of add-ons had never in their “experience” influenced “Grade II* planning decisions”.
Attacking Williams’ choice of tree surgeon, they said: “According to their website, they offer the following services: tree felling, tree reduction, stump removal, hedge planting, tree thinning/reduction.
“Their website also lists ‘tree risk assessment’ as one of their services, but (unlike the other five services listed, such as felling or stump removal) there is no information on this area of their purported service.
“In short, Putney Tree Surgeons appear to be primarily involved in felling rather than assessment or conservation.
“If a tree has signs of honey fungus, a report by an experienced arborist should accompany the application, allowing informed stakeholders and the planning authority to comment and review.”
The angry objector added: “That a mature tree providing shade, visual amenity and environmental benefits can be felled even though it has a TPO on it, is in a conservation area and on grade II* estate land by (privately decided) delegated authority, where the applicant has not provided enough information to assess the health of the tree, it seems completely inappropriate from a planning perspective.
Accordingly, another unnamed neighbor said: “There is no explanation as to why this tree needs to be taken down, just a series of photographs showing parts of it damaged.
“Shouldn’t there be a written report accompanying any proposed cutting and what steps could be taken before the final decision to cut this tree?”
THE COUNCIL IS RESPONDING
Amanda Reid, Director of Planning and Spatial Affairs at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, revealed the tree’s decline over the past few years.
She pointed to its craggy crown and abnormally small leaves.
Along with two large cavities on the main stem, caused by old pruning wounds.
The maple is also missing a large chunk of bark at the base of the stem and has failed to produce any early wood.
Reid said the bark can be pulled back from the stem to reveal the white mycelial fungus and degraded wood underneath.
She concluded: “The decay of this tree appears to be caused by honey fungus and there is no chemical control of this disease.”
However, the tree must be replaced before the planting season ends in March, Reid Williams warned.
The star also has to avoid noisy logging on weekends.
The Sun has approached Robbie Williams’ publicist for comment.
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Led Zeppelin star Jimmy Page lives nearby Credit: Getty
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The Take That star has been given permission to cut down a diseased tree
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One of the images included in the application showing most of the tree as it stands
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Robbie Williams rose to fame in the 90s before breaking away from the band to pursue a successful solo career. Credit: Rex
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The close-up pictures were criticized by neighbors who described them as ‘Polaroid snapshots’
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