AN INVESTIGATION is under way into the destruction of Newport woodland.

Linda Kilby alerted officials after watching a substantial number of trees being felled "at an alarming rate" behind her home in Church Crescent, Bassaleg.

"Machinery ripped out trees that have matured for nearly a quarter of a century, providing what was probably the last extensive wildlife habitat in the urban sprawl," she told the Argus.

She feared the land was being prepared for residential development.

A planning application was not required for the work as none of the trees were protected.

A spokesman for Newport-based Newbridge Construction, which owns the land and commissioned the felling, said: "Initially the work was for safety reasons but the land is also regularly trespassed on, particularly by children. It's also by a railway line and is prone to wind damage, too.

"We understood we did not need a felling order because there are no protected trees on the site. But we will have to wait to see if the Forestry Commission will take action."

He added the firm had "medium-term plans" to develop the land.

A spokesman for the Forestry Commission confirmed they had investigated following the felling of more than 100 tonnes of timber.

"We are currently preparing a report which will be sent to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). They will carry out their own investigation based on our report.

"A file will then be passed to the Crown Prosecution Service who will decide whether it is in the public interest to prosecute."

A successful prosecution could result in a fine and also an order for the area to be restocked.

The spokesman confirmed the extent of the felling would have had an impact on the environment and wildlife.

Mrs Kilby said the trees were a mixture but included well-established silver birch and a number of oak saplings.

She said wildlife was disturbed by the cutting down of the trees. "One thing that was noticeable here was the birdsong and there were also foxes in the wood."

Residents are also concerned about the rapid growth of development in the Bassaleg area over recent years.

Councillor David Williams said: "The village has grown enormously over the last 30 years but there has been no additional infrastructure."