A SENIOR member of Bolton Council's commerical services department is at the centre of an investigation after protected trees were felled on his land.

The internal inquiry was ordered after the trees - which had preservation orders on them - were chopped down at the home of assistant director Alan Fisher in Shady Lane, Bromley Cross.

Mr Fisher lives in a bungalow yards from Jumbles Country Park, one of the most picturesque parts in Bolton.

The fine for chopping down trees with tree preservation orders on them could be up to £20,000.

Residents contacted the council to complain about the trees being felled.

Councillors in Bromley Cross said they could not speak on the matter until the investigation was over.

Mr Fisher has applied for planning permission to change the style of his home several times.

A new planning application to build another house on his land has been successful.

He has received outline permission to sell off part of his land for the purpose of building another house. But he has been instructed not to begin any work until the design and landscaping have been approved.

Applications that have been turned down over the past two years include demolishing the bungalow and building a house instead and building two more houses on the land.

A Bolton Council spokesman said: "We have received a complaint relating to a property on Shady Lane.

"We are looking into the matter, but until we have concluded this work we are unable to confirm whether or not any planning regulations have been broken."

Mr Fisher declined to comment.