TWENTY trees have been cut down in a Basildon park after they were found to have Dutch elm disease.

Residents contacted the Echo saying they were furious the trees had been cut down in Northlands Park, Pitsea, without any consultation.

But it has now emerged the trees had the disease, which is still regarded as one of the most serious tree disease in the world and is spread by the elm bark beetle.

Workmen have been clearing a section of trees, hedges and shrubbery because the council wants to relocate public events such as the Basildon Festival to the Park.

A spokesman for Basildon Council said: “The work being done at Northlands Park has seen around 60 metres of hedging removed from the park, as well as some dead elm. This is has been to both enhance the visual aspect and also to make it safer for users of the park in the future."

The council did not require planning permission to cut down the greenery.
Rob Hill, chairman of Pitsea North West Community Association, said: “The reasons for doing it might be good but the council should have consulted the community. If the residents knew all along what the workmen were doing, then they might have supported them and not been so annoyed. After all, the council are our servants not the other way around.”

Residents in Park Side, which has an entrance to Northlands, believe they should have been informed and consulted about the work and future plans for the site.

Kelly Cotton, 32, said: “The council have not said a word to us about that what they are doing. I even tried contact them and search online to find out what the work was all about but I wasn’t able to find anything out. I don’t care what they say, it does affect us so I think it’s a bit unfair to just leave us in the dark.

“I wouldn’t be happy about more events coming to Northlands Park as there is going to be a real problem with parking, and you just don’t want to hear all that noise right on your doorstep.”

One unknown resident was so angry about the work they put signs up on trees and lamposts in Park Side urging neighbours to contact the council.