Environment champions, Habitats & Heritage, have vowed to oppose development in an important 'wildlife corridor' close to Twickenham Green.

The organisation has identified that the 'backlands' site, behind the Prince Albert pub, Hampton Road, makes an important contribution to biodiversity.

Significantly, its research has found that the site is used by a number of bat species.

The site has been at the centre of dispute after a developer lodged an application to fell five trees and cut back several others, including a large, mature, Eucalyptus.

Despite objections from Friends of Twickenham Green (FoTG) and 50 residents, council planning officials approved the removal of the trees under delegated powers.

Only one large Eucalyptus, which was already subject to a tree preservation order, has been protected.

Residents fear the removal of the trees is part of a piecemeal effort that will lead to a planning application to build on the site.

Habitats & Heritage (H&H) had planned to object to the tree felling, however it was unable to do so because the Council planning portal closed earlier than expected.

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

It also acts as the secretariat of Richmond Biodiversity Partnership, which writes and oversees the Richmond Biodiversity Action Plan, a supplementary planning document that seeks to conserve biodiversity throughout the borough.

It said: "H&H has been receiving species data supplied by immediate neighbours of the 'backlands' for the last two years.

"This data has been provided to GreenSpace Information for Greater London (GIGL) in line with Richmond Council's service level agreement with the data being cited in various other responses to this planning application.

"H&H's Anabat Detector, a static passive detector with omni-directional microphone, was deployed between the 14th and 23rd August 2021 on the boundary fence of 22 Hampton Road, and the 'backlands' facing into the 'backlands'.

"Some 1,772 bat activity records were recorded over this time by the detector with all records being externally verified by a bat expert to ensure their accuracy.

"The data shows an abundance of Common Pipistrelle activity (1,480) from early evening (earliest 8:20pm) through to dawn, the former indicating there is likely to be a nearby maternity roost. Other species recorded were Soprano Pipistrelle (283), Daubenton's (3), Leister's Bat (3), Noctule (3)."

Based on the thriving bat numbers, H&H concluded: "Due to the above externally verified significant bat records and likely nearby maternity roost, we object to the planning application for tree works in the 'backlands'.

"Furthermore, we will object to any future planning application/s for this site, which we believe holds significant environmental value for bats and should be protected as such."

Howard Roberts, who represents FoTG on environment issues, said: 'There were 50 objections on the site. Why has our council - in the year of COP 26 - sanctioned the removal of five trees that have civic amenity value?'

Mr Roberts insisted the site was an important wildlife corridor, saying: "The site has been subject to ongoing wildlife surveys by Habitats and Heritage for the past three years.

"Aside from hedgehogs, amphibians, nesting bird sites, invertebrates, including stag beetles, the site has significant ecological value being home to a variety of species of bats."

Elected councillors were not involved in the decision. Council leader, Gareth Roberts, has responded to the concerns of residents by saying he would be asking officials to explain their rationale for allowing the removal of the trees.