“Hundreds” of trees are to be felled at one of the district’s best-loved beauty spots to prevent the further spread of a disease which kills a number of tree species.

News of the felling, at the St Ives Estate, near Harden, Bingley, has been confirmed by Bradford Council.

Colin Whitfield, Bradford Council’s assistant manager for trees and woodlands, said: “Work has been going on at St Ives to remove rhododendron, which acts as a host to the phytophthora ramorum disease which kills a number of species of trees.

“Despite this, the Forestry Commission has now detected the disease in larch trees at St Ives and served a Statutory Plant Health Notice on the council to fell and remove the infected timber before the end of October to prevent the spread of the disease.

“There is no risk to human or animal health from phytophthora, but bio-security measures will be taken to control the risk of the infection spreading to other trees.

“We’ve written to the relevant stakeholders connected with St Ives informing them of the situation, and are preparing a frequently asked questions leaflet. Information boards will be going in at the entrance to the affected wood, known as Betty’s Wood.

“The spaces created in the wood will be replanted with native broadleaf tree species.

“This will be to the long-term benefit of the woodland by increasing habitat and biodiversity and is in accordance with our Forestry Commission approved management plan.”

Pam Laking, chairman of the Friends of St Ives group, said she had been informed that felling work in Betty’s Wood is due to start on or around September 4.

She said she understood the felling would affect hundreds of trees.

Mrs Laking said heavy machinery would be brought in to complete the job. She urged people to respect council safety measures and stay well clear of areas where the clearance work will take place.

“It’s a decision that has not been taken lightly, but it has to be done, they’ve no choice,” she said.