People living in Redhill say they were upset after waking up to see three picturesque oak trees at a local beauty spot being cut down early one morning.
The trees had been a prominent feature in the fields behind Georgia Drive for more than a hundred years.
Several residents told Notts TV they woke at 8am on Wednesday (January 31) to the noise of the trees being felled with a chainsaw.
“We are absolutely shocked and stunned, we have been in tears today,” says Heidi Duffy, who has lived on Georgia Drive for more than 35 years.
“Some people will think ‘it’s only a tree’, but they were a sanctuary for the wildlife and an important part of Redhill,
“In the space of an hour trees have been destroyed that took over a hundred years to grow.”
Gedling Borough Council says the land is owned by Nottingham property developer Langridge.
Councillor Michael Payne says landowners can do what they choose with the land, but added they “could have been an integral part of a future housing estate if housing is allocated there”.
He called the felling “wanton destruction” that Gedling Borough Council was not in support of doing, in spite of the area being earmarked for possible future development.
Cllr Payne has since asked the council to look at sites allocated for housing in Gedling to protect trees, to avoid what he called the “legal vandalism” of similar felling in future.
Langridge declined to comment when contacted by Notts TV.
The three oak trees were not protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO), a statutory protection which would have prevented the trees from being removed.
Trees can be granted a TPO due to their rarity, historical importance or contribution to the appearance of an area.
Erin McDaid, of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, said: “Wherever possible trees, particularly mature trees, should be incorporated into developments.
“Cases like this highlight some of the inadequacies of the planning system, at the moment it is very much stacked in favour of development.
“Housing and other developments should be in the right place and take account of the impact on the environment.”
Gedling Borough Council is now urging people to contact them if they know of trees they believe should be protected.
