It seems that every week a new building development in the Birmingham City Centre is started, and it pretty well always means loss of Trees and plants.
But trees, bushes and other greenery reduce the most worrisome air pollutants.
Also, David Bellamy, a well-known conservationist ” … believed that a blighted urban landscape, a concrete jungle destroys the human spirit. We need the greenery of nature to lift up our spirits”.
Judith Goddard, a city Centre resident has put into words her thoughts about the destruction of a green area once visible from her apartment. Click here to view.
Further reading:
Growth of city trees can cut air pollution, says BBC article.
Green plants reduce pollution on city streets up to eight times more than previously believed.
Article by Geoff Caine
www.BrumCityCentre.com 
There is a stipulation about tree and plant preservation for planning applications at present but, as far as I am aware, what is not described or stipulated strongly, is how conformity to them is checked during the construction – before and after photos taken by the Council might deter non-conformance and provide the Council with information to impose severe financial penalties for non-conformity and hence act as a deterent.
Once the trees, etc ,are gone, it’s hard to recall where they were. I can cite instances of, literally, clandestine removal of trees and greenery.
I hope the development of the Axis building and site on holliday street will keep all trees,dense undergrowth and water feature intact in line with the stated green aims of Birmingham city council. The site is home to a variety of birds.
Each Government seems unconcerned with population growth & never seems to make the connection between this & pressure on housing, schools, health services. Growth cannot continue forever. We need to stop, take stock & re-assess our goals.