Families are to hold a placard protest on Monday over plans to fell a group of much-loved trees on land close to Twickenham Green.

The destruction has been condemned by residents and the charity, Habitats & Heritage, over concerns of a threat to colonies of bats and other wildlife.

Council planning officials approved the felling of five trees – two Ash trees, a Cyprus group, a Sycamore and a Eucalyptus – shortly before Christmas without referring the matter to elected councillors.

The decision to allow the trees to be removed came despite objections from around 50 residents, who complained the move amounts to 'wanton vandalism'.

Residents are concerned the removal of the trees is part of a piecemeal approach by the landowner to press ahead with building on the land, which is behind the Prince Albert pub, Hampton Road.

Howard Roberts, who represents the Friends of Twickenham Green on environment issues, is inviting residents to take part in the protest on Monday morning.

Protestors are being asked to assemble at 11am at the recycling centre, which is at junction of Hampton Road and First Cross Road. The group will then walk down to the site.

Mr Roberts said: "In the year of COP26, to which they publicly give lip service, it would seem that our local politicians have all too quickly lost sight of the ecological value of this plot.

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"They seem to content to leave the future of this once thriving wild life corridor in the hands of a developer, who knows the price of this land, but cares not for its value. And once it's gone, it's gone."