There have been people fairly recently killed by having apparently healthy trees in parks fall on them.
The council tree people like trees. They don't remove trees without a very good reason.
To talk about "mutilating the neighbourhood" and "reckless unconcern for the law" seems a bit harsh when you don't know the background.
Why don't you find out why these trees have been/will be removed ? It's quite easy. A phone call will probably tell you:
And accommodation for servants too. Grouse shooting? Sorry, it's easy to take the Michael. I've been peering at a hole in the ground on Woodhall Drive a private road in West Dulwich. There used to be a £2million house there but expect something far grander. Although it's been a big hole for some time now. I have a legit reason to be on that road and always wave to the CCTV.