A HUGE tree felled by a professional has left a local developer red-faced.

The mature tree, measuring over 40ft, was chopped down by a tree surgeon and landed on the former Whinberry View care home, which is due to be demolished.

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The site was granted planning permission for 25 family homes and work had began on clearing the site earlier in the year while the developer, B&E Boys, were waiting on the discharge of several planning approvals.

Michael Boys, property director, said: “Things didn’t go to plan with the tree for the tree surgeon. It didn’t fall as expected. The tree is so heavy and large that until demolition starts I haven’t got the machinery to move it at the moment.

“It’s slightly embarrassing. It’s certainly got a few tongues wagging.

“I have had people call me up asking about firewood.

“There’s staff on site cutting up the smaller trees, but we have to wait for the demolition machinery to come on site before we can move the big tree.”

The trees were felled in late March before the new leaves grew and the bird nesting season began.

He said: “We couldn’t allow them to leaf and we were aware of the birds nests so we had to miss that part of the season.

“The neighbours are looking forward to seeing the site developed. It’s part of the town’s gateway.”

The site will include a mixture of three and four-bedroom family homes costing between £155,000 and £180,000.

Mr Boys said: “There will be a full demolition of the site .

“We are expecting the first houses to come on stream in spring next year.”