Mulberry trees

One, Suzanne Nicholas, told the council she was 'disgusted' by the plans. She added: 'I am concerned that whoever designed the "makeover" does not have sufficient expertise in gardening to recognise the value of the mulberry trees already standing at the entrance.

'As you know, mulberries are very slow to grow and these fruiting trees must be a reasonable age.

'It would be a strange paradox that they should be felled as part of a plan to beautify the entrance to the gardens and I think a more proper response would be to work with nature.'

Another resident, who did not want to be named, said: 'How can they get rid of these mature mulberry trees when the whole point of the park is that is that it is treelined and [this is] meant to bring it back to its old glory days? 'To simply chop down two trees because the fruit stains the new granite laid down is shameful and a disgrace to anyone who values nature.'

Council bosses said there were also concerns that the roots from the trees will affect the wiring of the illuminated pillars, and that if the trees were kept it would have to re-design the entrance, delaying the project by two weeks as well as costing an extra Pounds 1,500 to Pounds 2,000.

Dave Paul, a tree officer for the council, said the trees might not survive being rehomed elsewhere.