Residents' anger over 'destruction' of green area

Residents have expressed their anger over the "destruction" of a green area in Surrey after several large trees were felled.

Concerns have been raised about the felling, damage to bluebells and the impact on nesting birds in Compton near Guildford.

Tanya Achilleos Lock, who recently moved to the area, said villagers were "determined to protect this special place and ensure that the habitat remains intact for future generations".

Silveroaks Forestry, which carried out work, said the plan was approved by the Forestry Commission and was to protect public safety and local tree health.

Ms Achilleos Lock told BBC Radio Surrey: "It's terribly sad. I was here just over a month ago you had a lovely forest walk-through, it was almost like walking through the rainforest with the sound of birds.

"Now there's just the destruction.

"As I look around all I can see is just trees cut down.

"There's no way this can be fixed, not in my lifetime."

'Very sad'

Fellow resident John Haiselden said he had been told the forest would be replanted.

"But it would appear to be with saplings, something we'll probably never see re-grown in our lifetimes, which I think is very sad," he added.

Mr Haiselden said he also had concerns about the local wildlife.

"We have deer, rabbits, badgers, foxes and obviously a lot of bird life, which, as far as I'm concerned, have all been disturbed and moved on," he added.

Silveroaks Forestry said the trees removed posed a potential long-term risk to the public and properties, or were diseased.

An ecological survey was also undertaken before the start of the works, which would improve the long-term wildlife habitat of the woodland, Silveroaks Forestry added.

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