Residents are fighting to protect a magnificent mature eucalyptus in the heart of Twickenham from being drastically cut back by a developer.

Locals fear the bid to remove a significant proportion of the tree, which is covered by a Tree Preservation Order, is part of an effort to clear the site by stealth ahead of putting in a planning application to build.

And they have called on residents to object to an application to cut back the tree, which has been lodged with Richmond Borough Council.

The site is known as the backlands behind the Prince Albert pub, Hampton Road, and the towering eucalyptus tree can be seen from Twickenham Green.

Richmond Council approved the felling of five trees on the land shortly before Christmas, despite objections from more than 50 residents and a protest.

The official environment group, Habitats & Heritage, has objected to the clearing of the site. Aside from hedgehogs, amphibians, nesting bird sites, invertebrates, including stag beetles, the site has significant ecological value because it is used by a variety of species of bats.

The charity is officially designated with the role of caring for the natural and historic environment and climate in south and west London.

Howard Roberts, who represents the Friends of Twickenham Green on environment issues, has led the fight to protect the trees. He has described the developer's decision to clear the site as a tragic for wildlife.

He has also been critical of the Council, which he argues has not done enough to protect the area.

The Council insists that it was unable to protect the five trees that have been felled because it did not have the necessary powers. It has subsequently, written to the government asking that Councils be given stronger powers to protect trees and green spaces.

Mr Roberts told Nub News: "This is the last significant tree on the backland, and guess what. "aving already decimated this former wild life rich environment, the developer now wants to reduce this tree in size.

"This stunning eucalyptus, has a Tree Protection Order (TPO) on it, and we urge everyone to ensure that this time the Council does their job, and listens to the residents."

He said people should contact councillors and register their objection at this link.

The application is for work to lift the crown of the tree to 4m from ground level.

It says this is to 'give sufficient height clearance to enable access around the gardens and to prevent possible damage to the wall beneath the crown. To gain more natural light to the shaded area of land under the crown and reduce damp to the wall.'

Local Lib-Dem councillors have made clear that they want the application to go to the planning committee, where it would be decided by councillors, rather than being left to a Council official.

The leader of the Greens on the Council, Cllr Richard Bennett, said: "This looks like yet another example of development by stealth and gaming the Planning system.

"When applications are made requesting permission to undertake work on a protected tree they are in a known context. The reasons given here are inadequate to justify the application. It is unnecessary based on the current status of the site, which is cleared, undeveloped and tree is not affecting anyone.

"The developer no doubt foresees the tree presenting an obstacle to its plans, but these plans need to be submitted before a decision on this application can be made."