CONCERNS have been expressed over the removal of a stand of trees on a popular coastal site in Grange.

A total of eight trees have been cut down at Yew Tree Fields, prompting a complaint that South Lakeland District Council, who carried out the operation, had proceeded without fully examining the situation.

“After the loss of the adjacent wild flower meadow of Trickets Field to housing a couple of years ago it was very upsetting to see more destruction of wildlife by our district council,” said Dr Michael Green, who lives close to the area.

However, an SLDC spokesman explained that the largest of the trees had become diseased and was cut down for safety reasons, as were several neighbouring trees.

Dr Green said the area was a pleasant section of greenery which was often used by walkers or people exercising their dogs.

He said he had seen no evidence of danger from branches falling from the largest tree, a coastal pine.

But the SLDC spokesman explained that the tree, whose trunk largely remains standing, was diseased to the point where it needed to be made safe, and the work had resulted in several adjoining trees also becoming unsafe as they were partially supported by the pine.

It is understood the remainder of the trees were removed to facilitate the planned expansion of an adjacent play area.

The spokesman added that the planting of 12 replacement saplings would help compensate for the loss of the trees.