AN angry Greenock pensioner has complained to Inverclyde Council after trees were chopped on a privately owned area of land across from his home.

Jim Gallacher said he was 'annoyed' to see two Sycamore trees cut back on a private plot of land in Eldon Street, next to the Co-op store.

Bosses at Inverclyde Council confirmed that planning permission was granted to prune the two trees but officials today acknowledged that they appear to have been cut back 'more severely' than was originally permitted.

Now they will now carry out a site assessment to investigate further.

Jim, 80, who lives in Eldon Street, told the Telegraph: "Myself and a few neighbours are annoyed about it as the trees have been decimated.

"It's wrong as you could see that they were healthy trees.

"It's pruning like you've never seen before.

"This is a conservation area and I think the trees are about 200 years old.

"People are getting away with al sorts with the planning department."

Jim said he has formally complained to the local authority.

A spokesman for Inverclyde Council said they are going to carry out a site assessment on the trees.

He said: "Eldon Street is in a conservation area so planning permission was needed before any work could be done on the trees.

"This was granted, subject to conditions, on 18 June 2019.

"The trees appear to have been cut back more severely than was agreed.

"We will carry out on site assessment to check the condition of the trees.

"However, these trees aren’t native to Scotland, they have outgrown this site and they are also likely to survive this pruning.”