Tree order too late to save ancient beeches

A Fetcham man has slammed the council after it failed to protect trees from being cut down by developers.

The trees, at a property in Hawks Hill Close, Fetcham, were cut down on a Sunday morning by developer Banner Homes.

The company, which is currently discussing the purchase of the site, to cut down at least four large mature trees at Dormer Cottage.

Piers Banfield, group sales and marketing director for Banner Homes, said: "We did do tree works at the request of the owner of the site. There was no tree preservation orders on the site, it is not within a conservation area so what we were doing, we were perfectly entitled to do.

"We have removed some from the centre part of the site leaving the substantial trees on the other part of the site which are visible from the adjoining properties."

One of those woken up by work was Hawks Hill Close resident Alan Belk who said: "It looked like a First World War site of total destruction. I don't think I have ever seen that much wood."

He added: "This whole area has been an oasis for wildlife like foxes and squirrels.

"I think it has been an amenity for all of the people in this area as the trees were visible from Cobham Road, The Mount and Hawks Hill Close.

He said he felt the felling was a "destruction of trees without anyone having an opportunity to comment or say what they felt."

Peter Regnier, of The Mount, Fetcham, added: "Since they are down they are down, but it would've been nice to think there would be consultation. The neighbours had no idea what was coming.

"They were 100-year-old beech trees which were beautiful. It is just unfortunate."

But Mr Belk, who is representing the residents of the close, is most angry at the council for failing to protect the trees and says they have failed in their duty of care. He believes they should have placed the orders on the trees earlier.

"The council should be protecting our community, not to the point where they will not allow anything, but protecting the destruction of the trees by having some kind of inquiry or due process," he added.

The council sent a tree officer to the scene after they were cut down and he found some of the felled trees were decayed. He saw other trees were marked to be felled and emergency tree preservation orders were placed on the remaining trees.

A spokeswoman for the council said: "The council's arboricultural officer went to the site and found four large mature trees, some of which were decayed, had been felled.

"It was noted that further trees were marked to be felled and that there were about 40 trees on the site in total.

"The trees were judged to be large and prominent in the locality and added to the amenities of the area and to local residents."

"As the trees seemed to be at risk, a precautionary Tree Preservation Order was placed on the remaining trees on the site."

The council has now applied for a tree preservation order on the site.