MYSTERY surrounds the felling of a large sycamore tree in Ashburton.

The mature tree was removed, seemingly without permission, as work is going on to develop a new business park at Dolbere.

But councillors and residents are outraged at the move which has caused shock similar to the Sycamore Gap tree felling at Hadrian’s Wall.

Dartmoor National Park Authority has now launched an investigation into its removal.

Former Ashburton Mayor and district councillor John Nutley said: ‘As you can imagine, this has caused outrage throughout the town from Ashburton Town Council and councillors and the residents.

'This was in the conditions of the planning application and the approval that the mature sycamore tree would not be felled, and that all precautions were to be taken in protecting the tree.

‘This tree was a lovely focal point when coming into Ashburton.’

He said neither DNPA nor Ashburton Town Council were consulted.

He said: ‘I trust that a full investigation will be carried out.’

Dartmoor National Park Authority said in a statement: ‘We are saddened by the felling of the sycamore tree at Dolbeare near Ashburton.

‘The importance of retaining this mature tree was recognised in recent planning decisions for this site through the authority’s approval and conditioning of a Tree Protection Plan and Arboricultural Method Statement.

‘The Tree Protection Plan identifies those trees to be retained and what tree protection measures are required during development of the site.

‘In this case, the tree that has been felled was the focus of a range of measures, including protective fencing, a ‘construction exclusion zone’ and a ‘special protection area’.

‘The authority did not provide authorisation for this tree to be taken down and has launched an investigation to identify how and why it happened.’

Ashburton Town Council said on its social media that it had been informed the tree on the Dolbere development opposite Balland Land was being removed.

It said the council had previously informed throughout the planning process that this tree would need heavy pollarding due to National Highways sight restriction guidance.

Construction is currently underway on a controversial new business park at the location.