An avenue of Lime trees at threat of being felled to make way for a housing and shopping centre development have been saved.

The mature Lime trees in Walthamstow town centre were set to be felled as part of plans to redevelop the Mall shopping centre in Walthamstow.

Campaigners and residents have fought the plans since they were first announced in 2017.

Waltham Forest Council yesterday confirmed the trees would be spared in revised plans to the consented scheme.

In a statement on Facebook, the council said: “The plans for the redeveloped Walthamstow Mall have continued to be reviewed and improved as Waltham Forest Council and Capital and Regional, the owners of the Mall, have worked closely with Transport for London to include the new entrance to Walthamstow Central Station.

“As a result of this process and revisions to the design, we can confirm that the avenue of Lime Trees will remain as part of the new development.”

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

The Mall, Walthamstow, will be redeveloped by Capital and Regional. Photo: Lewis Berrill

Plans to extend the mall include 8,000 square metres of new retail space, 350 new permanent retail jobs, 502 new homes, a new children’s play area and re-landscaped town square.

The latest revised plans will be available to the public as part of the planning application in early 2020.

Nancy Taffe, leader of the Save our Square campaign group, welcomed the news, calling it an “early Christmas present.”

She added: For four years we have battled every step of the way. From petitions and letters, numerous events, a demonstration and publicity stunts, we have been out there taking the issue to local people, the trade unions and to the local Labour Party.

“No wonder the planners have now stepped back on the trees. The consultation in October demonstrated in no uncertain terms the depth of opposition of local people.”

However, Ms Taffe, said Save our Square would continue to oppose the height of the residential blocks – the tallest standing at 31-storeys – and the number of homes available for social rent.

At the last public consultation in October, the amended plans stated 10 per cent of homes would be available at social rent and a further 20 per cent of the homes would be affordable rent – all 502 homes will be for rent.

She added: “The campaign started with objections to the height of the proposed blocks plus the unaffordability of the flats, and to the loss of almost a third of the public realm to private property developers. These issues remain.

“With only 10 per cent of flats for social rent and the loss of public space with our large grassy area, its nothing short of daylight robbery!

“Therefore, we remain, and urge all campaigners to stand firm. The battle is not finished.”