Some 20 trees have been felled on a patch of wasteland near the River Medway.

The small plot at the bottom of Wharf Road, Tovil, is adjacent to the Tovil Footbridge.

The trees came down on January 4, sparking speculation that the site is finally to be re-developed.

The land has long been in the ownership of the house-builder Croudace, but the company has said it sold its interest on to a firm called Interesting Developments Ltd last year.

A nearby resident said: “It’s very disappointing. We’re quite shocked.”

Not all the trees have gone – some near the rear of the site have been left.

The action has generated reaction on social media.

Alex Palmer said: “It was a lot of fairly senior trees they felled!”

Carol Wanless said: “It breaks my heart every time I see trees cut down...

“They take hundreds of years to grow, so how will planting a new tree ever compensate for the death of a splendid old tree?”

Jayne Harkin said: “Joni Mitchell was on the right lines then, when she wrote her song, Big Yellow Taxi..

“They took all the trees and put ‘em in a tree museum

“And they charged the people a dollar and a half to see them...

“That was back in 1970 and it is still happening! So sad!”

Interesting Developments Ltd – which has a registered office in Star Hill, Rochester – could not be reached for comment.