RESIDENTS in Grays have expressed their disappointment and concern after a copse of trees in the centre of the town close to a residential area were felled today (Thursday, 27 April).

And mystery surrounds why the trees were felled and what might happen next.

These trees have been felled.

The land affected is adjacent to the entrance to the Badger's Dene estate, which was created in the mid sixties when 43.7 acres former chalk pits were redeveloped.

It appears likely that the land where the trees were felled may have been part of that development area and possibly owned by housebuilders Wimpeys (now Taylor Wimpeys) who built the original estate.

The tree trucks were stacked.

Big saws and a team of workers made short work of cutting down the trees this morning (Thursday, 27 April) but it is not clear who is behind the work – or the reason for it.

Residents, who say they were given no notice of the tree-felling, contacted Thurrock Council and told Thurrock Nub News they were told the land had recently been acquired by new owners who had the right to do what they want with the land.

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A formal response to Nub News from the council says: "Our arboriculture team have been to the site and have confirmed that the trees do not belong to the council and are on private land.

"There are no tree preservation orders on the trees so planning consent to fell them is therefore not required."

A survey of the council's planning system shows no application connected with the land that was cleared today.

Stumps are left on the site where trees were standing this morning.