A Maidstone borough councillor has reported his own authority to the Local Government Ombudsman in a row over trees.

Last November, Tony Harwood (Lib Dem) requested a survey of woodland in the grounds of Invicta Park Barracks.

It came amid fears there would be felling after the site was earmarked for 1,300 homes in the council’s Local Plan Review, which he felt would ruin the natural landscape.

He was promised a site visit with the view of identifying any trees that might merit protection under Tree Preservation Order (TPO) legislation.

But when he asked again after receiving no update for several months he was told that seeking TPOs “would be both unnecessary and inappropriate.”

Instead, officers said a document would be prepared to assess the value of the trees and landscape - but not until after the 1,300 housing allocation had been confirmed.

Cllr Harwood said: “Maidstone Council routinely imposes TPOs on private landowners, businesses and householders, but in this case refuses to act to protect beautiful veteran trees and historic woodland – despite a real and present threat from their own development plans.”

Invicta Barracks occupies the former Park House estate, once owned by Henry VIII and visited by poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson.

Cllr Harwood has not yet heard back from the Ombudsman.

Maidstone council has not responded to a request for comment