Elderly residents at a mobile home site in Severn Beach were shocked to wake up to the sound of chainsaws as an estimated 30 trees were chopped down. Despite Tree Preservation Orders being in place, no immediate action was taken to stop the felling, which took place over the course of several days.
South Gloucestershire Council officers visited the farm last Wednesday (May 17) following reports of the tree felling. But there were further reports of trees axed on Thursday and Friday.
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The local resident who did not wish to be named said: “On Wednesday a van came along with chainsaws and a couple of residents came over to try and stop them but they were having none of it. They just went ahead and went through the whole site chopping down all the trees. The elderly people who have lived there 25 years are absolutely devastated.
“One tree fell down and knocked somebody’s washing line, it was lucky she wasn’t in the garden. The police were called, the council were called. They stopped but on Thursday morning they started again and then they came back again on Friday morning to chop down more trees.
“It’s caused so much upset along there. Most of them are elderly without family to stick up for them. They’ve felled more than 30 and they were massive mature trees.
“There’s a preservation order until Sep 1 because of birds nesting. There are still lots of trees and bushes on there, if we can at least save them, that would help.”
Severn Beach Community Group members expressed their horror and shared photos of the fallen trees as the events unfolded. One member of the local Facebook group said: “It’s a complete disgrace. No respect or consideration at all has been shown to the residents.”
A spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council said: “We were notified that a number of trees had been felled at Salthouse Farm, Severn Beach that were protected by Tree Preservation Orders. Our officers visited the site this week to speak with concerned parties and a decision will be made on an appropriate course of action following our enquiries.”
The eight-acre private residential estate for retired and semi-retired people was bought in 2022 by Elderflower Park Homes Limited. Elderflower Park Homes was approached but did not want to comment. Avon and Somerset Police were approached for a comment but declined.
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