Campaigners were left feeling upset after a city centre tree was chopped down despite efforts to save it from the chop.

Candy Cunningham originally started a petition to protect trees after the £3.2m revamp of Hay Hill was confirmed, with more than 800 people signing it.

However, Norwich City Council believes it is creating a better green space, despite one of the trees on the St Peter Mancroft Church side of Haymarket being cut down last week.

Candy said: “I feel very sad and angry – especially when comments in the petition show how much people want the trees to remain in the city.”  

Norwich Evening News: The tree was found chopped down last week The tree was found chopped down last week (Image: Candy Cunningham)

She is annoyed that the council did not share a report on the tree before the work was carried out.

However, a city council spokesman said: “An independent inspection revealed the tree that was removed was in poor health.  

“The ash tree had been declining for a number of years and was suffering from widespread tip dieback. 

“There are still 10 mature trees on Hay Hill and it has never been a requirement for any to be removed as part of the plans to improve the area.  

Norwich Evening News: The council says that no more trees will need to be removed The council says that no more trees will need to be removed (Image: Candy Cunningham)

“In addition, by removing the paving around the remaining trees and replacing it with soft planting, we will be giving them a better environment to grow in.” 

Another tree had 'fragile' tape wrapped around it – but it is hoped that it’s not going to meet the same fate.  

Candy said: “I prefer to think it has been put there by someone to remind everyone of the fragility of our relationship with the rest of the ecosystem." 

Norwich Evening News: Another tree was found with fragile tape around it Another tree was found with fragile tape around it (Image: Candy Cunningham)

Gary Champion, Green Party councillor for Sewell ward, previously believed that the tree needed to be removed but replaced.    

He said: “We must protect our established trees and native species.

"Going forward, I hope we will have established trees in our city centre.”   

Norwich Evening News: Councillor Gary Champion believed that the tree had to be removed, but hopes it will be replaced Councillor Gary Champion believed that the tree had to be removed, but hopes it will be replaced (Image: Gary Champion)