Fife Council faces a row over the felling of trees at the site of its new children’s home in Kirkcaldy.
The local authority confirmed it had launched an investigation after mature sycamore, maple and beech specimens were chopped down at Raith Gates.
A residential home for young people in care, along with four detached houses and short-stay accommodation, is being built at the site in Raith Drive.
Local resident Duncan McKendrick, 63, said a number of people on the estate believed protected trees had been taken down.
“Nobody is pleased about it,” he said.
“Most people around here think the council just does exactly what it likes.
“If anybody was to do as much as cut a branch off their own tree, the council would be on them like a tonne of bricks.”
The council confirmed it was investigating claims its own staff had cut down trees without authorisation.
Lead officer for development management Derek Simpson said: “We’re investigating allegations that protected trees have been felled without authorisation.
“However, there is planning permission in place which includes permission to take down some trees on this site, so we’re working to clarify if the tree works have been carried out in accordance with the planning permission.
“As we are still investigating the matter we can’t comment further at this time.”
The site used to accommodate the Raith Gates care home. The care home was razed to make way for the new facility, which will replace Rimbleton House in Glenrothes.
A tree survey commissioned by the council and dated April last year stated: “The majority – 60% – of the trees are generally in ‘fair’ overall condition.
“Twelve trees fall within the ‘good’ category and eleven in the ‘poor’ category.
“The trees within the ‘poor’ category display a range of defects and problems which limit their safe life expectancy.”
The survey looked at the 58 specimens at the site, of which 25 are sycamores.
A total of 13 species of tree were recorded, also including maple, beech and wild cherry.
