Apologetic developers at the centre of a row about illegally-felled trees on a new Wigan housing estate have promised to ensure they regrow.

There was public outcry when it was discovered that five mature trees, protected by legally-binding preservation orders, had been chopped down on land being prepared for 57 new homes off Pepper Lane, Standish, last month.

Wigan Council has launched an investigation while Persimmon blamed sub-contractors and said that the fellings had been a mistake.

Local councillors and residents forum Standish Voice are demanding answers and the latter then said it felt like a “sick joke” when it was later revealed that the development is going to be called The Acorns.

There was outcry when protected trees off Pepper Lane, Standish, were felled during work preparing for a new housing estate. The council's investigations are continuing

placeholder image — There was outcry when protected trees off Pepper Lane, Standish, were felled during work preparing for a new housing estate. The council's investigations are continuing

It is believed that the name – and all the commensurate costly branding associated with it – had been decided long before the trees were removed, by which time it was difficult to change tack.

The local authority had blocked the application to build yet more homes in a “village” which has already seen an explosion in housing developments over recent years with local services overwhelmed, but Persimmon successfully appealed.

And there remains local anger, with Standish Voice pressuring the council to “stand up to developers who break the law and prosecute them,” fearing that episodes like this will recur if it doesn’t.

The saga is now taking on shades of the Sycamore Gap tragedy – where a famous old tree in Northumberland was illegally cut down – in that there are hopes that new saplings can be cultivated from what was left behind.

Persimmon provoked further anger when it revealed that the name of its new estate, where protected trees were felled, will be called The Acorns

A Persimmon spokesperson said: “A genuine error led to five trees being felled that should not have been and we sincerely apologise for any upset this has caused.

"The tree stumps will remain in place and be protected to allow for natural regrowth.”

David Proctor, assistant director for planning and regeneration at Wigan Council said: “We fully understand the strength of feeling from residents about the felling of trees at the Pepper Lane development, including those protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO).

“We take the protection of trees extremely seriously, and we are currently engaging with the developer and their contractors to establish exactly how this situation occurred.

“Once our inquiries are complete, we will then consider whether further action is appropriate."