A WEDDING venue has defended its decision to cut down dozens of trees.

Nearby residents raised concerns after seeing the trees chopped down around the 3D Centre, in Daubhill, and a new security fence erected without planning permission.

However, centre bosses say the measures are necessary to keep the site, which has been plagued by thefts, fly-tipping, and anti-social behaviour. They have also promised to plant new trees and other greenery as part of the project, which has cost more than £100,000.

Bolton Council confirmed that no approval was needed to cut down the trees, none of which were subject to protection orders, but that a planning application will have to be made for the fence.

Asad Khan, manager Bella Street venue, said: “We are working with the council on this. The council has no concern about the trees, more than half of them were dead anyway.

“But we will be putting a planning application in for the fence and have been given until January 19. Once the work is done we will be planting some trees for cosmetic purposes.

“But the reason we have had to do this is that we have had burglaries and other anti-social behaviour where people have climbed the trees and jumped over the old fence. There have been £50,000 worth of cars stolen. There was also a fire that some kids had started in the trees at the back of the building in September, and we have had some trees collapsing.”

Mr Khan said that workmen discovered drug paraphernalia and more than a ton of fly-tipped rubbish around the site, which is next to a playing field, while removing the trees.

He added: “This is not just for our benefit, it is for the whole community. It is about securing our boundary and tidying the area up. It needs to be presentable. There is a playing field at the back of the site, so it needs to be safe for everyone.

“When we saw the drug paraphernalia and the fly-tipping around the building, I said that this is something we should have done a long time ago.”

The venue is planning to asphalt a strip of land at the back of the building, but not any areas where trees previously stood.

Gene Watts, of Oakford Walk, complained to the council about the tree felling and new fence.

He said: “I was told that the only action that could be taken here was if a planning application is submitted and then rejected, then they would have to restore the land to how it was before. But that just seems wrong, how can you restore all of those trees?”

A council spokesman said: “We met the landowner prior to the tree removal. As the trees were not protected and on private land, approval was not required from us to remove them.

“However, planning permission is required for the fence, as it is 60cm higher than what has been previously approved. We have spoken to the owner about this and they will be submitting a planning application.”