Teenagers who spent hundreds of hours building a treehouse in the woods have seen it destroyed by chainsaws after it was considered “criminal damage”.

A group of friends started creating the den in Hermitage Lane woods, near Bartlett Way, Maidstone, on May 27.

The idea was to make a place to hang out and, while it started off small, more people wanted to get involved and eventually around 15 teenagers worked together to build it.

The treehouse was made using logs which had laid in the woodland for considerable time, but the boys became inventive, adding a tarpaulin roof, a front door and a viewing platform.

But on Friday, July 26, around 10 employees from Croudace Homes, the developer of neighbouring Hermitage Park Estate, fenced off the treehouse and began dismantling it with a chainsaw.

Maidstone council says it instructed the developer to remove the structure because it caused “serious harm which is damaging and detrimental to the protected ancient woodland” and it was “considered as criminal damage”.

One of the teenagers, who did not want to be named, said: “Everybody loved it, people would smile at us and praise us saying how good it is when they went past.

“We don’t want to be sat indoors all day playing on our Xbox, so building this was a lot better, and we went there and enjoyed it.”

Reacting to its removal, he added: “We were upset because we spent so much time doing it, it’s not like we were harming anyone or doing anyone damage.

“They got a chainsaw and were ripping it to pieces but were telling us they didn’t want to do it and were apologising. They destroyed it in front of us – the only thing we find fun, they’ve taken away.”

His mum said: “The entire community is outraged they would do this and without any dialogue with the children.

“In a world where children are always on digital products this was a creation of great pride, with children working alongside each other, immense teamwork and has seen them out in the fresh air and off of digital products.”

Likewise, Ethan Lyne, 13, was involved in the building of the den and was unhappy it had been destroyed.

His mother Mel Banham said: “We used to do it when we were young, it was a place to meet and there was nothing sinister about it.

“The den was giving them a place to be out of the way, not in town hanging around street corners.”

Since dismantling the treehouse, two signs have appeared from Croudace Homes which say: “This area is a protected ancient woodland. Several activities have taken place including cutting of protected trees, digging around tree routes, fly-tipping of furniture and suspected drug use. This has been reported to the police.”

Mel said: “My son is 13, there is no way in a million years he is smoking drugs.

“There are people that smoke drugs in those woods but those are older kids and they have nothing to do with that treehouse or the den.”

Ethan’s dad James said: “Croudace Homes has built through ancient woodland, they must have ripped down 100 trees in order to put the road through.

“But yet they’ve informed the police that the kids are causing damage to an ancient woodland for building a den in there.

“It’s hypocritical and disgraceful coming from the developers who have caused much more damage to that woodland than the kids ever have.

“I’m sure the police have better things to do than chase kids playing in the woods.”

Since the treehouse was removed, Mel says a lot of the teens have been very upset and back on their PlayStations.

The concerned parents think the children should be able to rebuild a tree house, even if it means setting a few ground rules, with James saying, “it could have been a conversation rather than a heavy-handed approach”.

John Harmer is a Maidstone-based maths teacher, who had enjoyed seeing the treehouse evolve, saying it was “more sophisticated” than those from his childhood.

When he learned it had been removed, he said: “I felt disappointment and frustration for these young people, and I was thinking now they will sit at home on their PlayStations or Xbox, and if not will roam around town.

“I certainly saw the treehouse as a positive, they were keeping out of harm’s way and learning practical skills.

“Now in the woods you wouldn’t know there was a treehouse there, it’s all gone, everything’s gone.”

The 68-year-old also thinks there should have been a discussion between the council and those making the treehouse.

One teen added: “You hear about teenagers going round with knives, while we’re just trying to build something in the woods - it’s not like we’re doing anything wrong to anyone and they’ve taken it away from us,” he added.

In response, Maidstone council said: “MBC understands the concerns raised regarding young people’s mental health and the need for outdoor play.

“However, the tree house that has been constructed in Hermitage Lane Woods has caused serious harm, which is damaging and detrimental to the protected ancient woodland, and therefore considered as criminal damage.

“The construction company has conditions that they have to adhere to as well as a duty to protect and maintain the ancient woodland, however, MBC has contacted the developer to remove the fencing and all the structures, wood and rubbish in the area.”

Croudace Homes has been contacted for a comment.