Robbie Williams has won the battle with his neighbours to cut down a fungus-riddled tree at his £17 million London mansion, which is next door to Led Zeppelin star Jimmy Page’s home.
In October, the singer, 50, applied to his local council for permission to fell the problematic Norway maple which he said is infected.
He claimed the tree was suffering from Honey Fungus, which is the most destructive fungal disease in UK gardens.
However, despite being granted permission with the council agreeing the tree has ‘poor overall health’ and is ‘overly mature’ the former Take That star was met with fury from neighbours.
One unnamed neighbour complained: ‘The application has essentially zero detail around it.
‘No report is attached from a qualified arborist to explain what potential disease this tree has and what options are open to the owner about preservation and remedial action rather than felling.’
Robbie Williams has won the battle with his neighbours to cut down a fungus-riddled tree at his £17 million London mansion, which is next door to Led Zeppelin star Jimmy Page’s home
Led Zeppelin star Jimmy Page’s house (left) with Robbie Williams’ property (right)
Another objection read: ‘There is no explanation as to why this tree need be felled, only a series of photos showing parts of it are damaged.
‘Should there not be a written report that accompanies each proposed felling and what courses of action could be done before the final resort of felling this tree?’
The maple tree is protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) meaning it cannot simply be chopped down. The garden where it stands is also in a heavily-protected conservation area.
Robbie’s application, which was filled in on the singer’s behalf by tree surgeon Michael Goatly of Putney Tree Specialists, said: ‘Norway Maple – remove due extensive decay at the base (Honey fungus). Re-plant with species TBC.’
Asked if the applicant was concerned whether the condition of the tree had sparked fears that it might break or fall, Mr Goatly ticked the ‘yes’ box.
Upon granting permission, the council wrote: ‘The decline of this tree looks to have been caused by Honey Fungus and there is no chemical control for this disease.
‘The tree has reached the end of its safe useful life expectancy and should be removed and replaced.’
Although this dispute involved the opposite side of the property to the one he shares with Jimmy Page, the two musicians have had clashes of their own.
They have been embroiled in a bitter feud for over 10 years after Jimmy opposed Robbie’s plans for an underground swimming pool and gym.
He claimed the tree was suffering from Honey Fungus, which is the most destructive fungal disease in UK gardens
Robbie Williams is facing the wrath of his neighbours yet again over plans to cut down a fungus-riddled tree (pictured) at his £17.5million London mansion
His garden borders that of famous rocker Jimmy Page, 80, (pictured in 2021) next door
He also protested when Robbie wanted to remove trees along their shared border.
In 2015, Williams was forced to abandon plans to revamp his Grade II listed home by Page – who had lived in his Holland Park house since 1972.
The rocker claimed vibrations caused by digging a huge two-storey basement would damage priceless frescoes in his Grade I listed neighbouring house.
The Tower House walls were designed by William Burges, the 19th century architect and the home was previously owned by poet John Betjeman and actor Richard Harris.
But Williams was eventually granted permission for modifications to his home, beginning work in December last year.
He filed a report guaranteeing that noise from air conditioning units for his pool will not exceed 25 decibels and plans for his mega basement were approved.
Although Williams won the war, his legacy rock star neighbour was victorious in one battle, which meant the singer’s builders could only use hand-held tools to excavate the basement – taking years at great expense.
Page also protested when Williams wanted to remove trees (pictured) along their shared border previously
The former Take That singer also chopped down a huge Robinia tree saying it had caused damage to his garden wall (pictured)
The former Take That singer also chopped down a huge Robinia tree saying it had caused damage to his garden wall (pictured)
Their feud escalated in 2017, when Williams suggested that the guitarist sat outside of his house to record workmen. But he later apologised after Page told him it wasn’t true.
The former Take That star was accused of ‘environmental vandalism’ by other neighbours last year after seeking to cut back 14 plants to allow more light to flood his property.
He also recently felled a rotten robinia on his land in a battle that took 18 months after he initially failed to provide evidence that it was a danger.
Huge cracks left in the brickwork of his exterior wall showed the damage caused by the ageing trunk as it began to be pushed over.
