Dear Editor, I am writing to express my profound alarm and formal protest regarding the planned felling of the cherry trees opposite The Green in Odd Down. These trees are not merely “landscaping assets” to be managed or removed at a whim; they are the heart of our local ecosystem and a vital symbol of hope and renewal for our community.
As a housebound resident, these trees represent my primary connection to the changing seasons. The spring blossom is a deeply emotional event for many of us here—a cornerstone of our mental well-being and community cohesion. To destroy them now, without meaningful consultation, is nothing short of environmental vandalism.
The housing provider is failing in its regulatory duty. Under the RSH Consumer Standards (updated April 2024), social housing providers are mandated to promote the environmental and social well-being of our neighborhoods. They are required to be transparent and to give tenants “wide-ranging opportunities to influence decisions.” Instead, we have seen a total lack of accountability. A rushed, retrospective “meeting” at the site—which excludes housebound residents like myself—is a mockery of true consultation.
Furthermore, we must not ignore our statutory obligations under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. These trees are a habitat. Until a Professional Ecological Nesting Survey and a transparent Arboricultural Safety Report are made public, no saw should touch these branches.
I call upon our neighbors in Odins Road and Wansdyke Road to join this protest. We demand that all works be suspended immediately while this is investigated as a formal complaint.
Our “symbols of hope” deserve better than to be sacrificed for management convenience.
Yours sincerely,
Duncan McGibbon B.Ed. (Hons) Odd Down, BathA
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