Justine Huxley has launched the petition below. You can sign it HERE
In the square of gardens between Willesden Lane, Coverdale Road and Brondesbury Park are two magnificent oaks. The larger of the two is thought to be the oldest Oak in North West London. Both are protected by a tree protection order.
These trees bring unique natural beauty and tremendous character to the view seen from the windows of over 60 flats close by.
Brent Council want to destroy these trees, along with several others in this patch of land. They are making the decision behind closed doors without telling anyone, and want to cut all the trees without any community discussion, despite the 120 or so people directly impacted.
Oak trees are among Britain's most beautiful trees. They are our national tree. A single tree can support over 1,100 species of bird, mammal, insect and plant life. They take carbon out of our atmosphere, helping us fight climate breakdown, and they clean up London's polluted air. The are immensely important to our ecosystems as well as a source of priceless beauty, history and myth.
Removing the trees will completely change the views from our windows - instead of green things and wildlife - we will lose privacy and see only the windows of other flats. Estate agents have estimated this will mean loss of value to our properties between £2k and £5k. Multiply this by the number of flats in the square and that is a lot of lost value!
What is the reason behind this?
Roots from one oak have caused a crack in the wall of one property on Coverdale Road. Which is important and does need addressing.
However, destroying the trees is simply the most convenient option for Brent Council (who have been widely critised for their uncessarily brutal treatment of our trees). There are several other options which we believe are not being adequately explored.
This petition asks the Council to:
Please:
These trees bring unique natural beauty and tremendous character to the view seen from the windows of over 60 flats close by.
Brent Council want to destroy these trees, along with several others in this patch of land. They are making the decision behind closed doors without telling anyone, and want to cut all the trees without any community discussion, despite the 120 or so people directly impacted.
Oak trees are among Britain's most beautiful trees. They are our national tree. A single tree can support over 1,100 species of bird, mammal, insect and plant life. They take carbon out of our atmosphere, helping us fight climate breakdown, and they clean up London's polluted air. The are immensely important to our ecosystems as well as a source of priceless beauty, history and myth.
Removing the trees will completely change the views from our windows - instead of green things and wildlife - we will lose privacy and see only the windows of other flats. Estate agents have estimated this will mean loss of value to our properties between £2k and £5k. Multiply this by the number of flats in the square and that is a lot of lost value!
What is the reason behind this?
Roots from one oak have caused a crack in the wall of one property on Coverdale Road. Which is important and does need addressing.
However, destroying the trees is simply the most convenient option for Brent Council (who have been widely critised for their uncessarily brutal treatment of our trees). There are several other options which we believe are not being adequately explored.
This petition asks the Council to:
- Be transparent about what is happening,inform ALL those of us impacted, and listen to public opinion
- Explore all the options! Honour the Tree Protection Order by exploring ALL the options not just the most convenient. These include: (a) underpinning the affected property; (b) digging a trench and cutting tree roots; (c) radically reducing the trees.
- Think outside the box! Consider alternatives for financing those options, which include: accepting donations (substantial amounts have been pledged already) and/or spreading the cost between major parties.
- Be fair! Offset the impact of one single resident against lost value for another 120 people.
- Walk your talk! Brent has declared a climate emergency. They publically committed to 'promote the importance of local biodiversity and natural habitats' and work with every household to make Brent the greenest borough.
Please:
- Sign this petition
- Let us keep in touch with you by text or email
- Watch the trees - and if the council cutters come before we have interupted this process, PLEASE IMMEDIATELY CALL 07989 545 958 (call don't text).