Wildlife Circus

      Cedar of Lebanon in front of Powell House   This is the fourth post about Hillcroft College planning application 22/000607 and pertains to trees. It was written by C. Mellish and discusses the trees to be lost, which could total 73. There is a  lack of mitigation for the multiple functions provided by the woodland, with no recognition for the veteran oaks that will be lost. Veteran trees are considered by Natural England to be 'irreplaceable habitats' for the purpose of the Biodiversity Net Gain metric; previous posts pertain to: The Planning Consultation Good Growth by C. Mellish  The development plans and bats by A. Fure Hillcroft Heritage: Powell House by A. Fure Oak to the rear of Powell House   Claire writes: Hillcroft College planning application is the worst for nature that I've seen for a long time. Residents raising concerns about the number of trees to be felled, are told that they are "self-seeded and unimportant". The badge...

Option 3 of the Coombe antiquities walk is to visit Coombe Wood Local Nature Reserve.  Once at the top of Traps Lane - head across the road to Coombe Hill and then onto Henley drive where there is an access board. The nature reserve can also be reached via the A3 slip road, where there is a public footpath/cycle route. Hopping and Coombe wood are split in two (north- south) by the Kingston by-pass. The western half is more established and not as disturbed  that the eastern half, which can be reached by an overbridge, although the latter is more 'alive' and biodiverse. If leaving via the alternative route; the slip road at Coombe Lane West by the New Victoria hospital, then the sign for Hoppingwood Farm denotes a modern office site and not the original farm, which was in New Malden. The site has some magnificent oak trees, two old ponds and  understory of bluebells and wild garlic. However a lack of attention,  the dumping of garden rubbish an...