A housing developer has apologised after it mistakenly cut down four large trees at a site in Chester earlier this month.

Redrow, behind the Kingsmoat Garden Village, on Wrexham Road, had intended to protect the trees, but a mistake saw four of them felled.

Residents believed the trees to have been oak, but the developer disputes this, stating that the trees were common ash.

Jim Walshe, a resident of Greenacre Road, which backs onto the development said: "It just seems a real shame that something that old has been felled in the blink of an eye."

Mr Walshe said that a neighbour did attempt to speak to the workmen, but they would not be dissuaded.

"The feeling in the street is one of disappointment, especially given the plans that came out showed these trees being retained. They would've been an asset to the new development."

"My worry is that they'll squeeze a couple of extra houses onto the plot, pay any fines for cutting down these trees and make money on the deal."

Chester and District Standard:

Redrow's North West managing director Jason Newton said: "Redrow takes its responsibility to protect and work with existing landscape features very seriously and we have apologised profusely to Cheshire West and Chester Council for this mistake.

"The accidental removal came about as we were carrying out some enabling works for a future phase of development at Kingsmoat Garden Village, in Chester, including the removal of some trees and shrubs in accordance with the planning permission.

"Our arboricultural contractor made a genuine and unfortunate error when interpreting the removal drawing and took down four trees which were due to remain. The trees in question were all common ash and classified as being lower quality or showing signs of decline. A higher quality oak tree in the row remains and will be safeguarded."

Redrow say that they are in discussions to arrange compensatory planting, which will replenish the site with a higher number of trees than the number felled.