Outrage as trees are axed for building work

Apr 4 2008 Dan Hodges

A DECISION to chop down 23 trees on a recreation ground has sparked outrage from residents.

People living in South Acton were confused and dismayed when the trees were felled in one day earlier this month to make way for building work starting in May.

South Acton Residents' Action Group (SARAG) demanded an explanation for the removal of the "healthy and mature" trees from the south west side of the grounds bordering the South Acton estate, part of which will be developed into 129 new flats. A further 120 flats are planned if planning permission is granted.

Resident and SARAG member Malgorzata Czerwinska said: "After seeing this wanton destruction I wonder if Ealing Council has plans to change their logo from a majestic tree to a forlorn tree stump."

SARAG's members claim the area from which the trees were removed is an integral part of the recreation ground and is covered by planning guidelines which state major trees should be protected.

But Ealing Council insists chopping down the trees was necessary to allow for large-scale regeneration work to progress. It promised they would all be replaced within three years, and the remaining larger trees retained.

A spokeswoman said: "Trees are very important to the environment and we have gone out of our way to ensure that building works do not have a negative impact on the greenery of the local area.

"Every care has been taken to minimise the number of trees that have to be removed and some of the original plans were even changed to avoid clumps of trees.

"Unfortunately there are still some which are directly in the path of the building work and they have had to be taken away, but they will be replaced with mature trees which have been specially chosen to thrive in the British climate.

"We can also reassure residents that contractors will be using special building techniques to build around the very large London plane trees so they will not need to be removed. Builders will also be putting up special protective screens around remaining trees to ensure they're not damaged at all during the work."

Details of the layout of the replacement trees are available at Ealing Council's South Acton regeneration office in Bollo Bridge Road.