SLEEPLESS nights, noise pollution and wildlife concerns have left residents at their wits’ end after the view of a petrol station was exposed when trees were cut down alongside the River Kennet in Marlborough.

Residents of Stoneking Court believe the trees, in a conservation area, should not have been cut down to stumps in February because council planners only gave permission to Daniel Dean to fell eight and pollard 13 trees at Bridge Garage on London Road.

Wiltshire Council is investigating whether a planning breach has taken place.

One homeowner has even been driven to consider moving house after being kept up by the noise from cars and jet washes from the Bridge petrol station and on-site car wash.

Ruth Bordiss, of Stoneking Court, said: “It is more than an emotive subject, I am looking for somewhere else to live now because of this. As we sit out in our garden now we see the rubbish and hear the noise coming from that area. The trees used to protect the river from pollution but now it all goes into the river.

“There used to be ducks and more hawks breeding there, that has all gone now. It is an intrusion into our lives because there is now constant light and sound pollution. There is also the noise of the hoover all day. This has gone on for months now, it is ridiculous that we have to go to these lengths to get the people who we voted in to do something about this.”

Homeowners complained to Marlborough Town Council, which has requested Wiltshire Council to investigate further.

However, officers warned the town’s planning committee that trees in a conservation area are not protected in the same way as those under tree protection orders and that residents have no legal right of a view.

Sharon Hastings, of London Road, said: “We don’t want any money or compensation, we just want the trees to be replaced and a fence to be put up.

“It is disgusting the way that the wildlife has been so affected by this.”

Shelley Parker, of Marlborough Town Council, said: “The town council can’t do anything about enforcement but we have referred it to Wiltshire Council. The owner has been amenable to putting some sort of fence up.” A Wiltshire Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of the concerns raised and this is now an enforcement case and we are investigating accordingly”