Burnley copse that was cleared of trees after sale is back on the market

The copse, at the junction of Accrington Road and Wilfield Street, forms part of a parcel of land that was sold at auction in October for £27,000. The land had previously been owned by Lancashire County Council.

Angry neighbours living in a row of houses close to the site expressed their dismay and upset at the felling of the trees by the new landowner.

They claimed that while it may be legal was 'not ethically right' as the site was a long established haven for wildlife, birds and hedgehogs.

At the time of the sale last year a spokesman for Burnley Borough, the local planning authority, confirmed it had not received any applications to develop the land. It also confirmed the trees weren't covered by any protection orders.

The land, which is at the junction with Westway, will now go up for sale with Pugh and Co property vendors and auctioneers at offers around £25,000 which is £2,000 less than it sold for last year.

The agent said that the land could be suitable for development and/or car parking subject to obtaining the necessary consents.

Purchasers will also be required to erect fencing and plant trees along the Wilfield Street boundary to screen the land from residents.