HAMPSHIRE County Council has been branded an “arrogant bully” after trees on land Petersfield residents say they own were felled.

Some distressed residents were crying as the trees on a verge by the entrance to Cranford Road were felled at the second attempt on Wednesday, January 3.

They were being cleared so a council-approved junction with an entrance to a new estate on Causeway Farm could be built.

Early in the stand off between residents, road contractors and tree surgeons, Police Community Support Officers were called in to mediate between the different parties.

After they temporarily halted the felling, residents were advised only a court order could stop the work.

Causeway resident and tree owner Maureen Willetts replied: “It’s a holiday week, how can we get one.

“We didn’t know this was going to go ahead, it was sneaked in over Christmas.

“Our house deeds show we own the verge and that is registered with the Land Registry, who carry out extensive checks before issuing ownership documents.

“The council hasn’t spoken to us and won’t acknowledge we own the land – it is just an arrogant bully that does whatever it wants.”

Despite halting an earlier felling attempt just before Christmas, the second went ahead, even though county council leader Roy Perry got involved in the situation while on a Christmas break in the United States.

In an e-mail to Mrs Willets dated December 30, he said: “I am copying this to the executive member for highways, Councillor Rob Humby, and transport director Stuart Jarvis with a request they look into your concerns.”

But residents said despite his interest, still no-one contacted them.

On the day, a representative of the contractors building the new junction told residents they were powerless to stop the work.

He refused to talk to the Post, as did a watching Hampshire County Council officer.

The son of resident Roy Essex said: “This is my father’s land and that is his tree, what right have you to cut it down without notification, apology or even discussing it.”

The county council said highway needs had overriding priority.