Residents were up in arms as mature trees were felled by diggers clearing a plot of land in a conservation area on the Isle of Dogs.

They say builders arrived last Saturday on the land, which lies between the Grade II-listed Watermans Arms pub and George Green’s School in Saunders Ness Road, in Island Gardens, but did not have conservation area consent.

Anna Moffatt, of nearby Grosvenor Wharf Road, said: “It’s absolutely disgraceful and heartbreaking to see all those lovely majestic trees destroyed. They cannot be replaced. They’ve made an absolute mess of the site.”

Tower Hamlets council have confirmed six mature trees were unlawfully felled and they are investigating the incident The council promises to take “appropriate action.”

Blackwall and Cubitt ward councillor Gloria Thienel says a man on site identified himself as the land owner and said he was clearing it to build houses. Tower Hamlets’ planning department say planning permission has not been granted for homes.

The Advertiser understands the land has been subject to a legal ownership dispute, but is understood to have been sold on to a new owner.

Tower Hamlets council said it is trying to verify land ownership.

It has not been possible to get a comment from the company clearing the site.