RESIDENTS are pleading with council chiefs to stop "unnecessary" tree felling at a residential development site.

Trees surrounding Osborne Quarters Police Training Centre in Netley Abbey are being cut down in preparation for the site to be turned into 30 homes by Bournemouth-based Juno Developments.

Two residents expressed their upset about the felling that is taking place and said: “A lot of the felling is unnecessary and the council are not listening to residents.”

Beverley Richmond, 61, a local resident said: “They are cutting down the trees as quickly as possible.

“And they have cut down many trees unnecessarily.

“I am happy about the new housing development, but they only needed to cut the trees that are close to the buildings.

“We have spoken to the council about this but there seems to be nothing we can do now.”

Carole Ault, 70, a local resident said: “Cutting down all of these trees is far too much, the area needs to be in keeping with the countryside as that is why people come here.”

“We have bats, deer, birds and rabbits here.

“The council has no consideration for the animals or wildlife and there is nothing we can do about it.”

Beverley said: “It’s a real shame and we are upset about it.

“Once these trees have gone we won’t be able to get them back.”

Cllr David Airy, who represents the Eastleigh Ward, said: “Eastleigh Borough Council Planning Enforcement staff are fully aware of and are investigating a number of issues that have been raised by some residents.

“The site is being monitored through regular inspection and contact with the developer.”

A spokesperson from Eastleigh Borough Council confirmed that when permission was granted by Bursledon Hamble & Hound Local Area Committee for the conversion of Osborne Quarter into housing agreed permission was also given for a number of trees to be removed.

“The council are monitoring this closely to ensure only those trees that were approved to be removed are removed and those that are to be retained are properly protected during the works.”