Trees under threat - residents and leaders voice concerns

Residents and politicians in Canton and Pontcanna are aghast at a property owner’s plans to fell mature trees at a house known as The Cedars on the junction of Llandaff Road and Romilly Crescent. Whilst everyone supports plans to renovate the two properties on the site, there are strong objections to the loss of trees.

Comments submitted to Cardiff council’s planning department from local residents include:

“I live on Romilly Crescent and the road is in the top level of pollution possible, caused by traffic. We need all the trees to help!” - Alison

“The plan is to fell all the trees except one. We are in climate and ecological emergency and the Council has declared as such. Trees are vital for carbon storage and biodiversity. Trees can take 50-100 years to grow and mature. So please don't use the false argument that new trees can be planted. Even if they are, who will provide the ongoing monitoring and care they will need?

“We, and the local wildlife, have already been devastated by the needless loss of the beautiful trees at Suffolk House two years ago. Please don't add to this devastation, and please don't worsen the crises we are all facing.” - Christine

“I strongly oppose the plans for landscaping at this property which propose to fell 10 of the 11 mature trees. Cutting down mature trees and replacing them with new small ones is not a protection against poor air quality or future climate change. I live close by with my family and the ongoing loss of trees within our vicinity is depressing and concerning. It contravenes the councils own policies on protecting the climate and improving air quality.”

Local councillor, Caro Wild, also voiced his concerns. In a letter to the planning department he wrote:

“I have read in detail the various justification from consultants and the council’s tree officer. So I do understand there is a genuine need for some diversification of tree species, and I understand some younger trees would be beneficial along with more ground-level planting. I am also sympathetic to the fact that a row of very large trees can make a property very dark. I can see that in normal circumstances, on overall balance, the fact the developer is regenerating an old building and putting in high quality landscaping would probably outweigh the loss of the less desirable and problematic sycamores.

However we are not living in normal circumstances. The city and nation now has clear scientific evidence that we have three associated crises to deal with: The climate crisis, a nature crisis, and an air pollution crisis. The felling of mature trees negatively impacts all three.

We also now have a clear planning policy context that supports this view, and the plans as they stand appear to have not taken into account the principles of our trees guidance: that existing mature trees should be incorporated into developments and retained wherever possible. It would also appear to be contrary to Welsh Government planning policy.

I am not wholly convinced by all the arborical advice, it looks like advice has been sought on how to mitigate the felling, rather than how to keep some of the sycamores. I think the view of sycamores as category C is old-fashioned and does not consider their overall value of the tree (for example, Aphids have been noted as a nuisance, when in fact they are an important food source for various creatures, especially birds).

So whilst I agree that over the long-term the landscaping plan is positive – it should be done in a phased manner with at least some of the sycamores retained until the new planting has had a chance to mature to a certain extent. This approach should still give many of the benefits sought by the development, especially in allowing in more light into the site. But not have such an immediate detrimental effect on the environment.”

The local MS and MP, Mark Drakeford and Kevin Brennan have written a joint letter to the council objecting to the plans. They say:

“The site’s location within the Conway Road Conservation Area means that additional caution is required with regard to the protection of the trees in order to maintain the character of the area. A recent planning decision at Suffolk House, in very close proximity to the site of the application, by both local residents and local representatives due to the associated loss of mature trees. A similar decision on this application could be provocative within the community.”

A Cardiff Civic Society meeting is being held at Llanover Hall at 6.15pm on Wednesday 21 September to discuss the matter. If you would like to attend please email secretary@cardiffcivicsociety.org

More information about the application including fuller details of objections can be found on the Council’s planning webpages (log in required). Search for application number '22/00927/DCH | PROPOSED REFORMATION OF 97 ROMILLY CRESCENT AND 106 LLANDAFF ROAD.