Environmental campaigners decried the “wanton destruction” of a row of trees on a proposed housing redevelopment site.

Residents groups and local politicians said they were “shocked and appalled” to see the trees, which they say form part of a “wildlife corridor”, cut down in The Ridgeway, West Harrow, on Saturday (December 19).

They argue it will harm animal habitats and any future tree growth at the site.

The land, which houses a former meeting hall owned by The Gospel Hall Trust, is the subject of plans for a new seven-storey building that would provide 178 new homes.

These proposals have been met with stern opposition – many have criticised the scale and design of the new building, saying it is not in keeping with the surrounding area and will have a detrimental impact on the neighbouring homes, park, and allotments.

Emma Wallace, the Green Party candidate for Harrow and Brent in next year’s Greater London Authority elections, described the actions as “ecocide”, while Harrow West councillor Adam Swersky said it was “the worst thing I’ve seen” in six years on the council.

Mark Mulvenna, representing the nearby allotments, who confronted those felling the trees, has written to the site owner’s representatives calling for answers.

He claimed local people had raised the subject of bats and other endangered species living in the trees in their objections to the plans.

“Local people to the site are in shock as are all the allotment holders that such a callous act could be carried out by [those] who are well aware of the ecological importance of this area,” he said.

And Simon Braidman, from the Harrow Nature Conservation Forum, lamented the “swift decimation” of the belt of trees.

Despite these complaints, Harrow Council said there was nothing it could do to intervene, provided those cutting down the trees were following the correct procedures.

A spokesman for the council said: “Officers have looked into this matter and it is not considered that the developer has conducted any illegal or unauthorised activity.

“The agent has also confirmed that no works have been undertaken within the designated SINC (Site of Importance for Nature Conservation) area. This was confirmed by officers on site.

“Provided no harm is caused either directly or indirectly to protected sites, species or habitats nor works that would otherwise require a licence or consent from the relevant authority undertaken without approval, a landowner is within their right to conduct such operations on their land as they choose, with the proviso that this does not amount to a change of use in planning terms nor cause nuisance to others.”

The agent representing the Gospel Hall Trust was approached for comment.