Local residents, having had time to examine carefully the documents relating to the proposed 161 Dwelling Development at the Oaklands site, have expressed concern at the number of mature and imposing trees scheduled for felling. There is a range of non-native species present on the site and people who remember the hospital have explained that some of the trees were planted as memorials or commemorations over many years.

Jeremy Webster, a Caterham Hill councillor, and local environmentalist  Philip Baker have scrutinised the plans to identify which specimens are at risk. These include Corsican Pine, Maple, Western Red Cedar, Yew, English Oak, Goat Willow, Ginko, Beech and Tulip Tree. The Corsican Pine may be well over 100 years old and belong to a species that may live for as long as 250 years.

Philip said: "It looks as though the high building density is going to cause a loss of ecology. I am surprised that the developers aren't proposing to follow good planning practice, which asks them to incorporate existing trees into their design rather than chop them out altogether".

Another resident Clive Milsom said, "To begin with it the tree replacement plan made me feel optimistic but having looked at it in more detail, I am staggered at what we are likely to lose".

Jeremy said "I know the developers are promising to plant a large number of trees on the site but these won't replicate the varied and beautiful specimens they propose to destroy."

He added: "As a local councillor I am terribly concerned about the sheer weight of development which puts so much pressure on this corner of Tandridge."

In a statement from the developers, Langham Homes, director Martin Redman said:  "Extensive discussions with the Tandridge Council Tree Officer and Barrell Tree Consultancy have taken place over the past year culminating with an onsite meeting with the Tree Officer, local councillors and residents. The extent of tree loss has been discussed and agreed with the Planning Officer having regard to a significant number of new trees of varying maturity to be planted to create a new high quality landscape environment for not only future residents but also existing neighbouring properties.

"In order to meet with the Council's concerns about mature tree loss Langham Homes and Berkeley Homes, in close consultation with tree consultants Barrell Tree Consultancy, have specifically identified the key landmark trees within the site and designed public open spaces around them to ensure they would not be under any pressure to be removed.  During our discussions with the local community and the Council, retaining landmark trees and increasing the overall canopy cover of the site, were identified as key objectives.  Our scheme has been tailored to do this and maximise the contribution of the site to climate adaptation with a minimum of inconvenience for the future occupants. The proposal as a whole will result in a high quality residential development within a mature landscaped setting that will be a positive addition to Caterham."