Tree felling at seaside resort sparks anger

Trees have been felled as the gardens are restored, said the local council

The felling of trees, including palms, in a Torquay seafront public garden has created anger among some local people.

The palms stood in the Italian Gardens, which look out over Torre Abbey Sands.

Facebook comments included that the trees were "synonymous" with Torbay and one person said they were "disgusted" at the felling.

Torbay Council said the trees “showed significant signs of decline" and council contractors were restoring the gardens to celebrate their 100th anniversary next year.

An image of the restoration shows trees replacing the felled trees

The gardens have been popular with locals and visitors alike since they were first planted in 1924.

One person commented on Facebook: "Disgusted that they cut down those palm trees!"

Another person commented: "Trees are special for all sorts of reasons! Those palms are synonymous with Torbay."

Another added: "Absolutely beyond words for the total destruction. How can they justify doing this?"

The council said 40 trees had been felled but more would be planted in the restoration.

An image of the planned restoration shows trees replacing the felled trees.

'Significantly degraded'

A council spokesman added the trees had "significantly degraded" over the last 20 years, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

Public consultation in 2019 identified the Italian Gardens as a priority for restoration, but the scheme had been delayed ever since.

Councillor Adam Billings, Cabinet member for Pride in Place at Torbay Council, told BBC News that the felling was done in "not the best way" and "it came as a surprise to me".

"But, actually what the council was seeking to do is what the community wanted," he said.

The garden will be transformed over the winter and into the spring.