ANGER and outrage has been felt across Tidworth after trees were felled without the town council getting a say.

Tidworth Town Council has received numerous complaints after trees were cut down outside the Ashdown Estate as part of works done by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation.

According to town mayor Mark Connolly, the trees were felled as the roots had been weakened due to the construction work, they were too close to houses and therefore had to be removed for safety reasons.

Works were undertaken with the approval of the Forestry Authority but permission was not sought from the town council.

Cllr Mark Connolly said: “I am very angry and disappointed that the trees have been felled.

“The area looks terrible and it now means wildlife habitat has been lost and the natural barrier between the road and the new estate is non-existent.

“I have been discussing the issue with various organisations to make sure this cannot happen again and that the trees are replaced as a matter of urgency.”

One resident said on Facebook: “Absolutely disgusting that the Tidworth landscape is being ravaged by all the ‘developments’ and disregard to the environment.”

Another Tidworth resident added: “ I think it has made the entrance to Tidworth look so ugly and as for saying the roots affect the foundation total utter rubbish.”

Ashdown Estate was officially opened in February.

The £73million project consists of 322 brand new homes for military families working in locations around the Salisbury Plain Training Area as part of the Army Basing Programme.

Tidworth Town Council has insisted the trees be replanted.

A Spokesperson from the DIO has said: “During construction of the Ashdown Estate some of the trees bordering the estate and the A338 suffered root damage which, on arborist advice, rendered them unsafe and as a result they had to be felled.  During the expert examination of these damaged trees it also became apparent that a significant number of other trees were diseased and had to be felled on health and safety grounds.

"The trees are on MOD land and the MOD is responsible for maintaining and ensuring the safety of the community from falling trees or branches. The Forestry Commission were given notice of the intent to fell these trees and no objection was received.

"MOD takes the preservation of trees seriously. We tried to minimise the number of trees felled but had to balance this with the health and safety of the occupants of the Ashdown Estate and passers-by on the adjacent A338 road.”