There has been a furious reaction to the felling of 100 year-old trees to make way for a new school in Derry.
Work has been ongoing at the former site of Templemore Secondary School on the Northland Road over the past year to build the new St Mary's College.
On Wednesday construction workers started felling a number of poplar trees at the school site, w
hile yesterday more trees were cut down.
Paul Harkin, who lives close to the school said the move had sparked fury among local residents.
"People have been left dumbfounded. These trees have been part of the local area for at least 100 years. It is hard to understand why this decision to cut them down has been taken. This has been done without any consultation with local residents, without any thought of the environmental impact. Birds are in nesting season but this doesn't seem to matter.
"I have been told there is nothing to stop these trees being cut down because there is no preservation order on them. There is an ongoing deforestation of the city, it is getting as bad as that in Donegal," he said.
The angry resident said more needs to be done to protect our natural heritage.
"The law needs to be changed. There is no saving these trees now but the authorities need to look at the lack of protection afforded to nature. This city is named for the oak tree but tell me where can you find an oak in Derry now - they've all been cut down?"
Sinn Fein councillor Maeve McLaughlin said a number of residents had contacted her to complain about the tree felling.
