I AM as annoyed as Mr Tavener that four good trees were hacked down by developers on the Willow Lane School site, so I can answer his question (Citizen Letters, last week).

What happened is inexcusable. When Jackson's applied for permission to build on the site they stated that they were not going to cut any trees down.

When the City Council advertised the application they said the decision would be made by the planning committee. Green councillors on the planning committee were ready to argue that the protection of the trees should be a condition of consent.

However, in the meantime an employee of the city council went ahead and granted permission, allowing the trees to be cut down, without consulting the committee. I have made a formal complaint about the way the council has handled the matter and am awaiting a response.

Until we get a majority of councillors who care about trees it seems we are stuck with a situation where trees get cut down unnecessarily.

It looks like the council is no better when it comes to planting new trees either. How can it need five council meetings to decide whether or not to plant trees in Greaves Park after a public consultation has already been carried out?

Rest assured the Greens will be doing everything we can to protect mature trees and get new ones planted in suitable locations. But please forgive us if we don't always achieve it when we only have seven out of 60 seats on the city council.

County Cllr Jonathan Sear, Lancaster Green Party.