Furious residents have condemned plans to topple a group of protected trees to make way for a luxury housing scheme.

The controversial scheme is due to be decided by councillors on the Richmond Borough Council Planning committee tomorrow – Wednesday – evening.

Much to the anger of residents, council planning officials have recommended the scheme for approval despite the fact it will involve the felling of four out of 11 protected trees.

Three Hornbeam trees and one Cherry tree would be chopped down, while others would become part of the gardens in new ultra-modern homes built on the site.

Trees under threat to make way for luxury homes

The anger of residents has been fuelled by revelations that the developers involved would pay £382,580 to the Council if they get planning permission.

Some £300,000 of this relates to a payment to help fund the building of affordable housing elsewhere and the other £82,580 covers the loss of trees.

The scheme involves building three £1m plus homes on land at the St Margaret's Business Centre, which residents have long argued should be set aside as a green hub for the community.

More than 120 objections to the scheme have been lodged with the Council by people living close to the site.

The decision on the scheme will be a major test of the resolve of councillors to stick with pledges to protect the environment.

An original plan to build four houses on the site, which is at the junction of Godstone Road and Winchester Road, was turned down some years ago following a campaign by residents and concerns over the loss of protected trees. An appeal against the refusal was also rejected.

The new design reduces the number of houses to three, changes their location and promises new planting.

Artists impression of the new homes (credit RBC)

Tony Wilkinson, on behalf of the campaign to save the trees said Richmond Council should protect the whole group of trees and reject the application.

He said councillors should uphold the planning inspector who ruled the "collective value of the trees as a group is substantial and ...they comprise an attractive cluster of trees, making a positive contribution to the appearance of the street. The loss of the trees, notwithstanding the proposals for replacement planting elsewhere, would substantially degrade the quality of the streetscene at this location. "

He said there was no dispute something could be built on the car park - which is attached to the business park - what was in dispute was the 11 trees and shrubs surrounding the area, the associated wildlife and a long used public right of way.

"Forty years ago there was another meeting like the one to be held on Wednesday evening in Richmond Council," he said. "This was when the Business Park was finally granted planning permission. It was only given permission to go ahead on the strict condition that trees and shrubs were planted for the community to shield the business park and to enjoy in perpetuity.

"Now here we are 40 years on with beautiful mature trees, shrubbery and a much enjoyed right of way for young children and families. Young children have created a magic fairy tree in one of the threatened trees, bats forage in the trees, and the group of trees is thriving with birds and insect life.

"But now suddenly pure developer greed is threatening a wonderful local visual amenity which was recognised by the planning inspector when he threw out the developer's plans last time round."

One resident told Nub News: "The trees are mature, and they are much loved. One of them has been turned into a small community garden.

"The whole area is used by the community - kids skateboard there safely as it is effectively a dead end, people gather to chat. This will all be lost if the application is approved."

She said the original planning permission for the business park in the 1980s included a condition requiring the planting of trees of trees and shubs that should be cared for on behalf of the local community.

One objector said: "This piece of land bordered by Winchester Road and Godstone Road should not be lost to the community in the pursuit of profit.

"It could be made into an ecological haven, enriched by additional planting which would serve as a natural break between the community of houses and the very busy railway line."

Another said: "The trees and biodiversity on this site have enormous amenity value and great value as a habitat wildlife.

"Preservation of all 11 trees should be the main priority. Tree Preservation Orders placed on the trees should be upheld, and any future use of the space should prioritise protecting the trees and encouraging biodiversity and wildlife habitats.

"We need these trees urgently to improve air quality.

"It is unthinkable that Richmond Council, who have declared a climate emergency, would consider the removal and damage to mature trees."

Another said: "The existing trees are a wonderful attraction in this residential area and their destruction would be detrimental to the enjoyment of local residents and the attractiveness of the street.

"Their destruction also contravenes the original planning decision with respect to permission for the adjoining industrial/ business park."

Another objector said: "I would like to object to this planning application on the basis that at least three trees are being felled and the rest of these important trees are to be enclosed in the private gardens of these houses."

The Council planning officer said changes to the lay-out of the proposed homes, coupled with promises to plant new trees and a payment of £82,580 to the authority for the loss of the trees meant the scheme could be recommended for approval.

Given the controversial nature of the proposal, local councillor, Alexander Ehmann, asked that the application be referred to the planning committee for a decision, rather than allowing it to be left to officials.