AN investigation has begun into the unauthorised pruning of protected trees at a former hotel.

But those using the site said the work was done after a branch fell on a car in the recent high winds.

Yesterday, Kirklees Councillor Kath Pinnock (Lib Dem, Cleckheaton) contacted officers at Kirklees Council after hearing reports that unauthorised work was being done to protected trees at the now-closed Whitcliffe Hotel in Cleckheaton.

Workmen on the site told the T&A that they had taken a branch off a tree because it had broken.

The Whitcliffe Hotel closed earlier this year, and part of the site is currently being used as a storage area for car repair firm CK Cars.

Carl Davison, of CK Cars, said a branch from a tree had fallen from the tree during the recent windy weather and landed on one of their cars.

He said: “It was only a scrap car, but it caved the roof in.”