Fight to save 11 trees amid Le Cornu family’s sub-division plans for huge Brighton estate

A plan by a prominent SA family to sub-divide a Brighton estate would see 11 trees cut down – but local residents are fighting back.

Trees on this property at 28 Sturt Rd, Brighton, would be cut down under a plan to build 28 homes. Picture: Lynda Yates

The family behind a retail dynasty wants to axe 11 trees on a prominent Brighton estate earmarked for a 28-home subdivision.

The Le Cornu family, as executors of the late matriarch Llora Shirley Le Cornu’s estate, have lodged fresh plans with Holdfast Bay Council to fell six significant and five regulated trees on the Sturt Rd property.

But opponents are signing a petition to pressure the council to save the trees, next to a 1920s gentleman’s bungalow that was the subject of a failed State Heritage protection bid by Seacliff resident Lynda Yates last year.

Petition organiser Joanna Wells said the trees provided “valuable canopy cover” for the area.

Lynda Yates and Joanna Wells oppose a plan to cut down nearly a dozen trees on a Brighton property owned by the Le Cornu family it wants to develop. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

A map from Holdfast Bay Council depicting the trees that would be removed at 28 Sturt Rd, Brighton

The Lofty Building Group's subdivision plan for 28 Sturt Rd, Brighton which is owned by the Le Cornu family. Image: plan.sa.gov.au

“These trees not only remove air pollutants from the traffic on busy Sturt Road but keep the street and surrounding homes shaded and cool,” she said.

“It’s a really big piece of land and to take out a huge number of trees is going to have a detrimental impact on heat-island effect and will be a massive loss of biodiversity and amenity”.

“I know there are people who back on to this property who are really distressed by the loss of trees.”

“They also provide attractive greenery and much-needed habitat for our native birds and mammals.

A council vegetation audit of the land last year identified that of 31 trees 12 were deemed significant and nine regulated.

The investigation determined that many of the regulated and significant trees were healthy and should be retained. The 11 trees earmarked for removal include six sugar gums, four lemon-scented gums and a weeping bottlebrush.

Developer Lofty Building Group lodged a separate subdivision plan for the block last year which had contemplated removing all trees.

But the council advised the Hillcrest developer that would not be supported.

It is understood the LeCornu family will sell the block to Lofty Building Group pending necessary development approvals.

Ms Wells suggested the council could negotiate a land-management agreement that would transfer trees on the block to public ownership.

She said this was a similar system used by Mt Barker Council in greenfield housing estates in its region.

The regulated and significant trees located on a Le Cornu family property at 28 Sturt Rd, Brighton. Not all trees are currently planned to be removed. Picture: Supplied

The Le Cornu’s tree-removal application is classified category 1, meaning it will not go out for public consultation.

A council spokeswoman said the council’s assessment panel would consider the proposal on April 28 or May 26. The timing depended on the receipt of a report from the council’s external arborist.

The Advertiser sought comment from Lofty Building Group to determine if it was still intending to press ahead with the subdivision. A spokesman said: “Lofty Building Group is not yet in a position to make any comment on the plan. Lofty will be happy to comment once there is clear direction on how they will move forward on this project.”

The house was twice recommended for heritage listing but the Le Cornu family opposed the designation.

The house would be demolished if the subdivision was approved.