HOUSEBUILDING firm Lovell is again under fire from Skipton residents who allege that heavy machinery has 'ploughed up' a well-used path in the town's Aireville Park.

And residents are also angry that two trees in the park next to Lovell's new homes development off Granville Street will also have to be cut down as they are too close to the site.

The firm has submitted a planning application to Craven District Council to remove the trees and plant two replacements elsewhere in the park.

Now residents say that a path in Aireville Park running alongside the site has been badly churned up by bulldozers.

Claire Nash, of Hall Croft, said: "I was horrified when I saw how bad the path was - it's deeply rutted and very muddy. It's used every day by walkers.

"Yet again Lovell have shown blatant disregard for residents and the environment in which they are working. There appears to be no genuine enforcement on what they do. They just carry on regardless."

As reported in the Herald last week, residents expressed their 'astonishment' after the council announced that Lovell would be building around 100 new homes at Horse Close in Skipton.

Lovell has repeatedly said it is always willing to meet local people to discuss their concerns and has apologised for problems in the past.

Ms Nash added: "There have been endless problems with the Granville Street site.We shall be glad to get rid of them at our end of town, but Horse Close residents beware."

A council spokesperson said: “The council has received a proposal to remove two trees adjacent to the residential development site at Granville Street. The proposal indicates that replacement planting will be provided. The acceptability of this is currently being considered.

“Lovell have undertaken some exploratory works in relation to drainage works required as part of the planning permission which needs to link up with existing drainage in Aireville Park. The area that has been affected by the vehicle used for the works is at the bottom end of an informal path which runs through the trees adjacent to the development site.

"Lovell are going to level and cover with top soil as a reinstatement of the area today. It is worth noting that as part of the 106 agreement for the development a formal path will be put in place once the work is complete that will link the site to the play area in Aireville Park.”

Lovell regional director Simon Medler said: “In line with planning regulations, Lovell has applied for permission to remove two trees and is waiting to hear the outcome of this application. As part of the application, we have said that we will plant two replacement trees in a more suitable location in the park.

“We are looking into the situation with the path and will, of course, make good any damage found to have been caused.”