AN investigation will be launched after tree surgeons have reduced a protected ash tree in Trowbridge in breach of a planning refusal.

Back in January, Wiltshire Council made a split decision to allow the crown to be lifted on oak tree in Dilton Close, Trowbridge.

But in the same planning application, it refused permission for planning agent Alex Jehan, of Westbury-on-Trym, to fell two protected ash trees, identified as T8 And T9, close to the road in Wiltshire Drive.

But workmen went ahead and cut down the ash tree T9 on Friday March 1, leaving it as a just stump with a few branches, despite strong protests from residents.

It is an offence to cut down, uproot, top, lop, or wilfully damage or destroy a tree subject to a Tree Preservation Order without the local planning authority's permission.

Wiltshire Times: The ash tree T9 in Wiltshire Drive, Trowbridge, as it looked before workmen cut off its branches last Friday. The ash tree T9 in Wiltshire Drive, Trowbridge, as it looked before workmen cut off its branches last Friday. (Image: Wiltshire Council)

One mother-of-two, who did not wish to be named, said: “Somebody’s head needs to roll. What they’ve done is just not acceptable.

“That tree was absolutely fabulous. It was a beautiful tree. Now it’s just a long stump. What they’ve done to it is just disgusting.

“We can’t stick it back together. We are hoping that they are going to get a nice hefty fine. What they have done to it is criminal.”

The woman said they had tried to prevent the workers from cutting down the tree but say they were told it had ash dieback disease, which they claimed was untrue.

She said: “They said the tree was dying but it was not. Last year, it had luscious green leaves.

“There was no way that tree should have been cut down. We tried to stop them but they just got up there and did what they had to do.

“He just would not listen and said to us that ‘time is money’.

“Birds used to use that tree, including pigeons and magpies. It had nests in it and we’ve even had owls. Now the birds have got nothing.”

Cllr Nick Botterill, Wiltshire Council's cabinet member for development control and strategic planning, said: “Following a planning application from the developers of the Bradley Road site in Trowbridge, permission was given for the reduction of an oak tree to maintain the health of the tree.

“The application also sought approval for the removal of two ash trees. However, this part of the application was rejected, as it was deemed that there was no sufficient justification for the removal.

“Following reports that one of these ash trees being removed, our officers contacted the applicant, who said that they were unaware the ash trees part of application had been rejected. We are now investigating and if appropriate, we will take action against the developer."