Holland Park residents in fight to save 100-year-old horse chestnut from basement dig

Spare that tree: Brett Smith and mother Paola Trezzi-Smith want to save the ancient horse chestnut

Ben Morgan25 August 2016

Residents in a wealthy London neighbourhood are fighting plans for a basement extension they fear threatens an ancient horse chestnut tree.

Neighbours are worried the 40ft tree would obstruct works on a property in St Mary Abbots Terrace, Holland Park, and could be “irreparably damaged”.

The developers insist they would not cut down the tree, but residents said they feared it would be inevitable if the plans went ahead.

The owner wants to extend the three-storey terrace property underground and install light and ventilation shafts in the back garden.

Paola Trezzi-Smith, 59, has lodged an objection to Kensington and Chelsea council ahead of the planning meeting next month. She said: “It is very simple — let us keep our tree.

Spare that tree: the ancient horse chestnut in Holland Park

“It’s accepted that the bigger and older the tree, the more it improves air quality. I am upset on several levels because the tree is a feature of the street and its oldest resident.

“People want to dig basements because house prices are high. It’s a very selfish thing in this instance.”

The tree, thought to be more than 100 years old, is yards from the Leighton House Museum in Stafford Terrace, where pre-Raphaelite artist Sir Frederic Leighton lived before his death in 1896. Ms Trezzi-Smith added: “I’m a romantic and I’d like to think as Lord Leighton sat in his study he could look out of his window and see the tree growing.”

Ms Trezzi-Smith’s son Brett Smith, 28, is backing the campaign. He said: “It just so happens they bought the house with a tree outside and it should not be cut down. I grew up with this tree and I don’t want this to change.”

Several neighbours have also complained to the council about the removal plans as well as concerns about traffic and noise.

Noku Architects said the owner is not in a position to remove the tree without permission from the council and it would be protected. The proposed excavation would be under the house and would not involve removing the tree.

A spokesman for Kensington and Chelsea council declined to comment on the planning application.