DEVELOPERS and council officers have defended the felling of trees alongside a York housing development, following protests from local residents.

Several old trees along the boundary of David Wilson Homes' scheme on the former Terry's factory site have been brought down over the past week.

Residents from Bishopthorpe Road and Campleshon Road contacted City of York Council and The Press to complain that too many trees had gone, destroying the green boundary between their homes and the new development.

One man also claimed the trees were protected and should never have been felled, and claimed the authority had failed in its duty to prevent their loss.

But a council spokeswoman insisted David Wilson Homes had permission to remove the trees to allow for a sewer connection into Bishopthorpe Road.

"Letters were sent to local residents informing them of the works," she said.

"Our enforcement team have monitored the works to ensure that the correct trees have been taken down – and we can confirm this is the case."

Peter Morris, development director at David Wilson Homes, said the company was committed to enhancing the communities in which it built and this was reflected in its development proposals.

"During the planning process, we worked in close partnership with City of York Council to ensure the site retained many more trees wherever possible and certainly a great deal more that the outline planning consent anticipated," he said.

"Indeed we are and will be protecting 77 per cent of the existing trees at the site. In addition, we will also be planting over 200 new trees - increasing the overall total by 25 per cent.

“Our felling and improvement works will be followed by the planting of the new trees to ensure this area of York not only retains its existing appeal, but that we are enhancing the community – ensuring green spaces can be enjoyed by all locally.”