Mature trees in a town centre have been chopped down to make way for a £2 million landscaping scheme.

Five trees, thought to be chestnuts, at The Paddock in Chatham – opposite the Pentagon shopping centre and near the Waterfront Bus Station – have been reduced to stumps and sawdust.

The council said they were felled because they were in poor condition and will be replaced by the end of the year.

The work signals the start of creating a "garden area" with seating, a water feature and flowering plant beds.

But the decision to hack down the established trees has angered a conservationist and former councillor who believe the trees could have been saved from the axe.

Bryan Fowler, who takes an active view on community and environmental issues in Medway, fears the trees could have been cleared to make space for the water feature and the area could be paved.

He said: "The council has said they want it to be a vibrant space and low maintenance and that to me means concreting it.

"Some of the trees may be in poor condition and some may be diseased, but that happens to humans when they get older and you don't go round killing people."

Mr Fowler, who lives in the town, said the trees were probably about 80 years old and were a "stunning" feature in the town in the spring when in blossom.

Chris Nickless, who stood on the authority as an independent member for many years, took photographs of the chopped trunks on a trip to the town with his wife Mairie last week.

He said:"A notice refers to five trees in poor condition being replaced but the five stumps left show no sign of the trees in question being in poor condition.

"The stumps look hideous – if the trees had to go they should have been removed altogether.

"On the island, there are the remains of two other trees felled some time ago – they still bear their red crosses and look equally unsightly."

Janet Davies, head of regeneration at Medway Council, said: "The first stage of the improvement works at The Paddock in Chatham has begun. This involves the removal of five trees that are in poor condition due to ill health and disease.

"The trees will be replaced later this year, as part of the wider improvement works, with trees that have been carefully selected to be more resilient to improve the longevity of trees in The Paddock.

"A key part of The Paddock’s design focuses on new areas of planting to increase biodiversity and improving accessibility."

The aim is to create a wildlife-friendly peaceful green space away from loud and busy areas.

The changes are expected to be completed in 2023 and the project is being funded by the government’s Future High Streets Fund.

As well as lawns and planted areas, proposals include a central open space for "events, markets and food stalls" which would also include a water feature.

The council received £9,497,720 of funding from the government's Future High Streets Fund for a number of projects, including The Paddock.

According to the Kent Gardens Trust, The Paddock was built on marshland which was reclaimed in the 16th century.

Previously, concerns were raised over how the water feature might contribute to anti-social behaviour and how it would be maintained, but the refreshed plans include a function to turn off the fountain and drain it completely so it can be used for events.

Further street lighting, measures to discourage skateboarders, and benches made from reclaimed timber from Chatham Waterfront would also be introduced.