A HOUSING developer is to fell 48 trees on a building site.

Crosby Homes have already removed some of the trees at its St George's Park development in Goughs Lane.

The rest will be felled soon.

"I am satisfied that the works undertaken thus far have been implemented in accordance with the planning approval on the site," said the chief planning officer in a letter to Knutsford Town Council.

But last week town councillors were concerned at the number of trees earmarked for the chop.

"It is an appalling situation when a developer is allowed to take down trees when people living nearby aren't allowed to even remove branches," said Clr Derek Squirrell.

He wants felling work on the site to stop until they have received more information from planners.

Chairman of West Area planning Clr Tony Mazzeo pointed out that all preserved trees would have to be replaced.

But he added: "I think the trouble with a site this big is that you focus on the bigger issues and it is the little problems that are overlooked."

Clr Barbara Austin said replanting could not replace the character of the originally wooded area.

"At the moment it is like barren parts of Spain where you see no trees," she said.

Planners refused an application by Crosby Homes to change and reposition plots 13,14 and 15 on the Goughs Lane site which would have threatened trees last week.

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