The two mature category A sycamore trees have been standing proudly in Waltham Street, Southsea for over 30 years. These trees are not just a part of the landscape; they are a part of our community, a part of our history. Despite their undeniable value, both environmentally and aesthetically, they are now under threat.

The local university and their developers have proposed to remove these magnificent trees to make way for a new building. In a world where urban green spaces are rapidly dwindling, such a move to eliminate our precious trees is short-sighted and irresponsible. The plan involves purchasing credits to plant trees in the Southdowns National Park—a location far removed, where no local resident can appreciate or benefit from them.

Allowing the removal of these trees would lead to a net loss of biodiversity in Southsea, as acknowledged by the developers themselves. The beauty and ecological benefits of these trees would be lost forever. They argue maintaining these trees has "become very costly," but the true cost lies in the irreplaceable loss to our local environment and heritage.

We have witnessed these trees standing strong through every season, providing shade in the summer, a riot of colour in the autumn, and a haven for local wildlife all year round. To lose them would be a tragedy not just felt by us, but by future generations.

We need to act now to stop this. We need to show that these trees are valued, that our community stands with nature. We need these majestic sycamores to remain standing not only as natural monuments but as a testimony to our commitment to preserving our environment right here where we can all appreciate it.

Please help save these invaluable sycamores by signing this petition. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that these trees will stand tall for many more decades.