We are a group of local residents campaigning to save the Godwin trees: 11 mature and protected trees on the corner of Winchester and Godstone Road (thus GodWin). We are also trying to retain the pavement layout on Godstone and Winchester Road as it is. The expansion of the current boundaries proposed by the developers will undoubtedly have a negative affect on road safety for all pedestrians.
We now have 70+ local residents signed up to our mailing list who object to the removal of the trees and the proposed development and 109 letters of objection were written to the council following the original application.
The GodWin trees were given to the community in the 1980s as a community payback for the building of the business estate (which includes the car park), to reduce the visual impact of the estate.
Richmond Council (LBRUT) placed
Tree Preservation Orders on the entire site in October 2019 and these were confirmed in February 2020.
In 2020 we commissioned our own Tree Survey and the key findings are as follows;
1. "as a group (the trees) are of landscape value and contribute to the character and appearance of the local landscape. The value of the trees is sufficient to justify their continued protection under the new TPO and the canopy values calculated are significant, implying significant loss to biodiversity, townscape, green infrastructure and likely to yield significant CAVAT values. In light of this and following analysis of the local and regional planning policy we think there is scope to put forward a strong case in opposition of development proposals requiring the loss of all or the majority of these trees."
2. “In support of an objection the canopy volume for all of the onsite trees which may be removed has been calculated as this demonstrates the potential loss of the urban forest. The total canopy volume which could be lost equates to 2,940.4m3…
3. “It is clear that the loss of canopy volume would be significant if these trees were removed and arguably, contrary to local and regional (London) policy."
We oppose the destruction of a mature, green area which provides a wildlife corridor, and is home to bats and nesting birds in the spring. We are ultimately campaigning to take back the carpark and create a
green hub for the community to help alleviate air pollution, create habitats for wildlife and provide a valuable green lung for the community. Our plan will also include the installation of car-charging bays for electric vehicles and bike storage bays for commuters using St Margarets Station.
