A High Wycombe resident has described the felling of trees with preservation orders as ‘horrendous’.

Over Saturday, February 24 and Sunday, February 25, workmen were seen taking down the plants despite letters from Buckinghamshire Council stating that the act was prohibited.

The incident is said to have happened behind a house along Totteridge Lane within the town.

The removal of the trees has caused several residents to express their concerns to the authorities and the council, after ‘hostilities’ broke out between those living along the street and the workmen.

Hollyanne Blain, who lives within the area, said: “I couldn’t believe what I was seeing as there was no care for health and safety.

“With the way the workmen were moving about, I honestly thought someone was going to die.

Bucks Free Press: Several trees were taken down despite orders being in placeSeveral trees were taken down despite orders being in place (Image: NA)

“It was scary.

“With the trees, they took them out and they also took away my edge.

“One of the neighbours’ shed went at least a foot off the ground and now that’s got broken windows.

“We’ve got letters from Buckinghamshire Council explaining that the trees behind my house are under the perseveration order, but they’ve taken them down.

“I was scared as they all came with their cranes and diggers and took a load of the trees out.

“One large tree fell so close to my fence, I couldn’t believe it.”

Bucks Free Press: One of the letters is from SeptemberOne of the letters is from September (Image: NA)

Letters obtained by the Free Press show that Buckinghamshire Council put in the TPO (tree preservation order) on September 5 to the proprietor of 54 Totteridge Lane, stating the following: “In simple terms, it [the order], prohibits anyone from cutting down, topping or looping any of the trees described.”

Two more letters were then sent out in January to remind the owner of the property to not go ahead with the felling of trees.

The species of trees that have been impacted include Flowering Cherry, Apple, Plum, Maple, Beech, Cherry, Hazel, Silver birch, Holly and Ash.

Following the commotion, a brief statement from Thames Valley Police said: “At around 10.50am [on February 25], we received reports of anti-social behaviour in Totteridge Lane, High Wycombe.

“Officers attended the incident, and determined that it is a civil matter.”

Rachael Matthews, Buckinghamshire Council's Deputy Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration, said:

“A Tree Preservation Order (TPO) has been made at this address, with the trees contained within the TPO being covered by the protection afforded by the order.

"We are aware of works that have been undertaken at the site to fell a number of trees.

"This is in breach of the TPO.

"The investigation into this activity is underway and Enforcement Officers are now undertaking a full assessment of the harm that has taken place which will establish the next course of action.”