People living near Pontrhydfendigaid were horrified after 11 mature trees were felled on local land.

They claim that the trees were cut down at Ffair Rhos in April, without a licence.

Following complaints, Natural Resources Wales has launched an investigation and referred the issue to police.

One angry resident claimed that a licence was required because the trees were cut down during bird nesting season.

The resident said that NRW had been alerted to the incident, but said that local residents were upset at the tree felling and labelled it “countryside vandalism”.

He said: “Eleven mature trees were chopped down without a licence from NRW, in nesting season, so a breach of the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act. People are very angry.

“It has been reported to National Resources Wales who are investigating, and to the police.

“In order to cut trees lawfully, the owner would have needed a felling licence. I do not believe they had one.

“They were cut on 13 April in bird nesting season so is in breach of the WCA. It may also be an offence if there were bats.

“A 100m-long strip with 11 mature beech trees, all gone.”

Dyfed-Powys Police said it has received a report of tree felling, and is awaiting more information to establish whether an offence has occurred.

See this week’s south papers for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now