A councillor says she has been inundated with calls from concerned residents about the felling of woodland trees.

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth has taken up the case with Bradford Council after she was informed of the work being carried out on land at Victoria Avenue, Ilkley.

Cllr Hawkesworth (Ind, Ilkley) said: “About halfway up past Victoria Drive entrance is a finger of woodland.

“The adjoining house 17 Victoria Avenue was recently purchased and some permission was obtained - by the home owner - to prune tree preservation order (TPO) trees in his garden.

“But he has had his contractors prune and remove trees in woodland which he is claiming to be his.

“This is forming a route along the strip.

“He is claiming ownership of half adjoining his house.

“Enquiries I set in motion indicate that it is actually unadopted highway and belongs to no one.

“He has been asked to halt work by the council but his retort was ‘see you in court’. All the residents are up in arms - this woodland is an unadopted highway which means the public have the rights to pass as on any highway. It has public access rights.”

A concerned resident, who does not wish to be named, said: “I have been very saddened to see the desecration of the wood in Victoria Avenue. Many residents over the years have enjoyed the wood for its green space, it has been a place for children to play, exercise dogs, as well as being a pleasant short cut through to the school and town centre. It is also home to varied wildlife including an array of birds and bats.

“I grew up in Victoria Avenue and my father has lived there for 40 years so we are in disbelief that a resident has been allowed to massacre the land and develop it without any planning permission.

“Despite the trees having preservation orders, they have been lopped and diggers driven on their roots, causing irreversible damage. The land in the wood is classed as an unadopted road and as far as I’m aware no development is permitted. It very much begs the question that if a resident throws enough money at Bradford Council, do they get the green light to do whatever they like? If this is the case, it surely sets a precedent for other wealthy residents in Ilkley to do as they please regardless of planning laws and preservation orders.”

A Bradford Council spokesperson, said: “We are aware of the concerns raised by residents and are investigating.”

The home owner was approached but declined to comment.