RESIDENTS in Whitehill's Oak Tree and Liphook roads were outraged on Tuesday, when four oak trees were felled by developers. The mature oak trees, at 33 to 37 Liphook Road, were not protected by tree preservation orders (TPOs) and were on privately owned land, meaning the owners were within their rights to have the trees felled. In a letter to the Herald, resident Paul Goddard said: "The view from our garden was changed permanently, following the wanton destruction of a number of oak trees immediately adjacent to our property. "It would appear that the area of land behind us has been acquired by a developer. "At this point, we have no idea what is proposed for this development, but if the land clearance is anything to go by, anything could happen. "When we, and neighbours, have been prevented from carrying out necessary work on trees in our own gardens, it is utterly unfair that a developer is able to destroy the sylvan nature of this area without so much as a polite approach to neighbours affected, let alone being required to seek formal permission." The felling of the trees has come during the nesting season for birds. This has prompted concerns about wildlife. One Oak Tree Road resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "It's an absolute disaster. "The whole lane has been stripped, and it looks as bare as anything. "To take down these trees and the hedges that surround them at the height of the nesting season is absolutely disgusting. "We saw at least one nest on the ground, and all of the squirrels and badgers that roam around here no longer have anywhere to go. "This is a moral issue - the view of the lane and the habitat of a number of different animals has been destroyed in the middle of nesting season." Eight residents gathered at the site on Tuesday morning to meet with East Hampshire District Council's arboriculturalist officer, Stuart Garside. Following a site inspection, Mr Garside told the Herald that, despite complaints from residents, no further action will be taken by the district council. Mr Garside said: "The trees were in a residential garden - they were not in a conservation area and they were not protected by TPOs. "My job is to protect trees and the visual amenity of the area and I cannot take into account the wildlife." Police and the RSPCA were also called to the site, and the incident will be further investigated by a police wildlife officer. Developer B Medlicott was unavailable for comment.