AN ANGRY resident has raised the alarm after protected trees have been felled.

Holly-Anne Cole jumped to action after trees in a public woodland off Totteridge Lane in High Wycombe have been cut down without permission.

The felling has been going on despite a recent Tree Protection Order granted by Buckinghamshire Council in September on land at 54 Totteridge Lane, a plot of land with an old house which was recently sold on auction for £615,000.  

Holly-Anne alleged a man carrying out felling is “very aggressive and threatening to everyone.”

She said: “This is a public woods with a lot of children and dog walkers.

Bucks Free Press: The woodland is surrounded by Totteridge, Kingswood Park, Micklefield and Tylers GreenThe woodland is surrounded by Totteridge, Kingswood Park, Micklefield and Tylers Green (Image: Holly-Anne Cole)

“All privacy has been destroyed for approximately 15 houses. The police and council have been out but as soon as they leave works commence,” she claimed.

A video taken by Holly-Anne showed a yellow digger “ruthlessly” cutting down trees on Thursday, October 5.

She said the neighbourhood has “always been a pleasant place,” but now there is “constant noise, shouting and abuse” as the prohibited works are carried out.

“People are now scared to go and walk their dogs as they have to go past this site,” she said.

She reported the incident to Thames Valley Police and the Health and Safety Executive due to the unsafe way the works were being carried out.

The police did not deny or confirm whether they had attended the site or were planning to do so with the Council officials.

Buckinghamshire Council’s cabinet member for planning and regeneration Peter Strachan told the Free Press: “An area Tree Preservation Order (TPO) was made at 54 Totteridge Lane on September 5 2023. While the order has not yet been confirmed, the trees contained with the area TPO are covered by the protection afforded by the order in the interim.

 "Officers are fully aware of works that have been undertaken at the site to fell a number of trees. This is in breach of the area TPO. The investigation into this activity is underway and Council Officers are now undertaking a full assessment of the harm that has taken place which will establish the next course of action.”