I LIVE opposite the new housing scheme in Earle Street, Newton-le-Willows.

Work has now begun. Unfortunately a beautiful silver birch tree is to be destroyed, despite my best efforts.

Initially when the housing scheme was implemented, this particular tree was to be retained. With the woodlands officer for St Helens Council also keen to save it, I thought that this was the end of the matter.

However, updated plans emerged and this tree – a dominant feature of the landscape - is now to be removed.

It has been there for quite some time – we have lived opposite it for more than 18 years – and as anyone who resides in the area knows, Earle Street is a pleasant green place with lots of mature trees.

All of its character is slowly disappearing and I have watched daily since the work began as trees large and small have been hacked down, fed through a tree shredder and turned into sawdust. Seeing this beautiful tree as it puts on its autumn coat is heartbreaking as its death sentence draws closer.

Why Persimmon, who are building the houses, decided to change their minds about its retention in order to lay drainage is beyond me; could they not have kept to the original plans and saved this tree?

Yvonne Mattocks, address supplied