As a local resident in the Slade area of Tonbridge, I have watched in disbelief over the last few days as the verdant life in the Fosse area has been decimated as part of Churchill’s retirement home project. The resultant environmental impact is not just a visual eyesore but a devastating blow to a once-thriving ecosystem. Many others in our community feel the same, sharing a collective outrage and sense of loss for destroyed trees, shrubs, and displaced wildlife. This should be rectified immediately.

The UK government acknowledges the importance of biodiversity, recognizing its role in sustaining the natural systems we rely on (food, clean water, and air). The government's 25 Year Environment Plan supports the planting of 11 million trees across the nation, with further steps to ensure thriving wildlife (UK's 25 Year Environment Plan, DEFRA). Unfortunately, the recent developments in the Fosse area stand in stark contrast to these national goals.

We demand that Tonbridge Council and Churchill institute an immediate restoration plan for the Fosse area. This should necessarily include the immediate planting of mature indigenous trees and restoring ecosystems to provide a new home for the displaced wildlife and respect for our neighborhood's natural heritage. It is not enough to allow the area to slowly grow back, only to be cut down again. We want trees back in the Fosse, right now.

Our community is in outrage and it is time to act. The planning for the ongoing management of this area has not yet been approved so there is still time to apply pressure for a more comprehensive regeneration plan. Join us in our efforts to bring life back to our natural habitat and rectify this scar on the landscape. Please, sign this petition today. Please also add comments and objections to the undecided planning application on the TMBC planning portal. The application ref is: 24/00326/PA