Wandsworth Council has rejected Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s demands to halt the axing of 150-year-old trees in Chestnut Avenue over the next six months.

The Mayor wrote to council leader Ravi Govindia on Wednesday last week (September 13) after receiving correspondence from concerned residents, requesting to cease plans to fell trees in Chestnut Avenue and to ‘urgently review the research which has been produced’.

In the letter, seen by the Wandsworth Guardian, he wrote: “I would also urge that any review of evidence considers the full value of these trees, and importantly, whether a phased approach to the removal of some trees would ensure that the existing, healthy and mature horse chestnut trees are retained, while of course addressing any health and safety concerns.

“Such an approach should secure a future for this important landscape feature in Tooting Common for future generations whilst addressing the concerns of many of the current users of the common.”

Now councillor Jonathan Cook, the council's deputy leader and cabinet member for environment services, has responded to Mr Khan’s calls for the arboricultural works.

The letter read: “The simple fact of the matter is that the council is proposing to plant 64 semi-mature small leafed lime trees along Chestnut Avenue. These trees are already nearly 20 feet tall and will ensure a healthy and flourishing tree-lined avenue is preserved on the common for future generations to enjoy.

“They will replace 51 horse chestnuts that have been assessed by different teams of experts as being in decline and approaching the end of their natural lifespan. A combination of old age and disease means they are unlikely to survive in their current form for any significant length of time and will unfortunately soon become much more susceptible to loss of limb or sudden collapse.

“Left untouched they will soon start to pose a serious risk to passers-by.”

Mr Cook continued that some trees have required ‘extensive pruning and pollarding’ while others have been removed on ‘safety grounds’.

He said the council has greatly considered about the option of a more intensive maintenance approach, which includes the removal and replacement of horse chestnut trees where necessary.

However, he added that it would result in an ‘increasingly random collection of extensively cut back trees of varying sizes and ages, made of which could still pose a risk’ and more thorough pollarding, pruning and removal would result in an ‘irregular row of bare trunks and sumps’.

‘It would no longer constitute an “avenue”’.

Mr Cook said: “The advanced age and deteriorating condition of these trees mean they now need to be replaced. The council cannot take any risk with the safety of the public, especially with trees that overhang a very busy footpath and cycle route.

“Planting 64 semi-mature replacements, more than are being removed, will ensure that an attractive avenue of trees can be enjoyed on the common by our children and grandchildren giving them the same gift the Victorians generously gave to us.

“It means this important landmark feature will be preserved for the next 150 years and beyond with the new trees adding to the more than 3,300 others that make Tooting Common such a special and much loved green space.”

To read the letter in full, click here.