VILLAGERS are up in arms after a historic apple orchard was virtually destroyed minutes after a tree preservation order (TPO) was slapped on the site.

A developer hoping to win permission to build a bungalow there said he received the order after most of the trees had been felled and immediately halted the operation once he had been informed.

Jon and Sarah Carter, who live next to the land near Townsend Farm, North Curry, said the tree cutters removed a swing and fairy doors before cutting down several trees.

In a joint statement they said: "This land has been maintained as part of the garden to our property for 15 years and we have tried to ensure the community benefit as much as possible from the land.

"We were understandably upset when the developer took such disregard for this.

"It just seems like such a waste, to destroy numerous trees from a historic orchard before a planning decision has been made (on the bungalow)."

Neighbour David Walker said the orchard was of "significant historic, amenity, educational and landscape value".

He added: "The trees are part of the fabric of North Curry and are of particular value for the surrounding houses.

"I'd expect that the damaged trees would be repaired where possible to permit regrowth, otherwise replaced by new planting."

Villager Julia Hewson said locals had enjoyed apples from the orchard and children often played there.

She added: "The TPO was meant to protect these beautiful trees from development – which already eats up the land in and around North Curry."

Andy Lehner, of West of England Developments, who has applied for planning permission to build a bungalow there, said: "I received the TPO after the trees were felled.

"I was away and an officer (from Taunton Deane Borough Council) phoned to say he was preparing an e-mail to send me the TPO, which was news to me."

Mr Lehner said he then called the tree surgeon to tell him to stop work.

A TDBC spokeswoman said the TPO was e-mailed to Mr Lehner at about 1.30pm on Friday followed by a phone call to his assistant, around half an hour before reports that trees were being felled.

She added: "As soon as the officer was informed that trees were being felled, he went straight to the site.

"At around the same time the site’s developer contacted the council and spoke with the area planning manager, who advised that the trees were subject of a TPO.

"The site owner then contacted the tree surgeon and subsequently e-mailed the area planning manager to confirm he had asked them to stop work immediately."

She said the council will now fully investigate before deciding on a course of action.