Plans to fell trees in Portsmouth have sparked outrage from residents.
Dozens of people have vowed to fight proposals to axe the trees at St James Hospital in Locksway Road, Milton.
The proposals have been submitted on behalf of the NHS Property Services.
The worry is that, by cutting down the trees, it could lead to future housing development at the site.
Milton councillor Ben Dowling said residents were extremely anxious.
‘I’m concerned that every time you fell another tree in St James it’s one more step towards potential development,’ added the Lib Dem councillor.
‘It’s a large fear for residents and for myself.
‘I don’t want to see backdoor development.’
More than 60 residents registered objections on the city council’s website.
And others took more extreme action by painting a in red on one of the trees facing the axe ‘God bless this tree’.
Janice Burkinshaw, chairman of the Milton Neighbourhood Forum, said: ‘People’s feelings are running very high over this.
‘Here, in an overcrowded city with very poor air quality and increasing traffic, we need all the trees we can get.
