Fury Over Felling of Shepherd's Bush Green Trees
Three mature planes cut down by the council without warning
Protestors on Shepherd's Bush Green after the trees were cut down. Picture: @Jimsie/Twitter
July 31, 2023
There has been a furious reaction from local people to the cutting down, apparently without warning, of three mature plane trees at the eastern end of Shepherd’s Bush Green.
Council contractors first appeared at the site on Thursday 27 July to start the process of removing the 50-year-old trees and returned the following day. A protest was held this Sunday morning against the removal which objectors say was done without planning permission in a Conservation Area.
Some of the objectors say that the removal of trees conflicts with the stated aims of the council’s Clean Air Neighbourhoods policy and that, although two trees are to be planted for every one removed, the saplings will not deliver the environmental benefits of mature trees.
Hammersmith MP, Andy Slaughter, says he is looking into the matter.
One local said, "People in Plymouth woke up one morning to find beloved trees in their town centre had been culled and made their views plain the next time they had a chance to vote. If there was a legitimate reason for cutting these trees down the council should have outlined it before acting. Presenting people with a fait accompli suggests arrogance and a lack of accountability."
The contractors removing the trees told concerned residents that the trees were disease free.
There is a proposal to turn the former toilet block nearby, which was most recently the Ginglik comedy club, into a restaurant and the council says that roots from the trees were causing issues with the structure. Some concern has been expressed that the removal of the trees may enable a structure to be built overground on the Green.
Contractors on Shepherd's Bush Green removing the trees. Picture: @Jimsie/Twitter
Cllr Wesley Harcourt told people contacting him about the removal of the trees, “As Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Ecology my role is at a strategic or policy level not operational.
“I shall, however, endeavour to ascertain why these trees have been felled as it is not policy to do so unless a tree in a public area is diseased or dangerous. I shall also look into what plans there are to plant replacements.”
The trees before the were cut down by Hammersmith & Fulham Council. Picture: Google Streetview
A statement issued by Hammersmith & Fulham (H&F) Council says, “It is necessary to fell three plane trees on this site whose roots have caused significant damage to the property below.
“To compensate for their loss we will be planting six other native trees on the Green very soon.
“The removal of the trees has become necessary only because we have recently taken on a lease on the underground property which has been vacant for fifteen years. The tenant is seeking to revive the space as a local amenity and bring it back to life.
“We understand how important trees are to our local community.
“H&F cares deeply for our 25,000 trees in the borough and aims to increase this by 160 annually, expand canopy cover from 14% to 16.5% and create seven more Tiny Forests by 2030 as part of our action to tackle the climate and ecological emergency.”
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