Ashby Civic Society has decribed the removal of trees on the A511 bypass as 'disgraceful'.

Work is being carried out at the moment to prepare the area between Nottingham Road and Smisby Road for the contstruction of a new rounabout and road into what will become the new Money Hill housing development.

Date set for Ashby bypass work to start

But a number of residents have expressed their shock at seeing trees being felled by developers to make way for the roadworks which are expected to last around 18 months.

Ken Ward, of Ashby Civic Society, told Ashby Nub News: "I am writing on behalf of the Civic Society to say that we are appalled at the wholesale removal of so many trees by the Money Hill developers along the bypass.

"We knew there was going to be an access road constructed here with a width of perhaps 40 feet.

"To see hundreds of yards of trees destroyed is disgraceful.

"There was no need for such wholesale destruction.

"Surely the trees provided an excellent buffer between the new houses and the by-pass.

"The site development is commencing from the town end outwards so it will be some years before the development reaches the by pass so why cut so many trees down?

"However, this is not the only recent destruction of trees and wildlife in Ashby.

"The new G-Park Warehouse project off Corksrew Lane has commenced and that has also started with large numbers of trees and bushes being uprooted leaving an ugly bare scar behind.

"I thought we were in the National Forest and all developers were obliged to plant more trees, not destroy so many.

"What is our District Council doing allowing such behaviour? Its' green credentials seem somewhat lacking. Have they no environmental policy?"