A 140-year-old oak was among dozens of 'healthy trees' felled in what a North Down MLA has described as a “wildlife crime”.
Alex Easton spoke of his shock following the incident at Grey Point Fort near Helen’s Bay.
The Independent Unionist said he was alerted to the mass razing by members of the public.
He told Belfast Live: “It’s destructive to wildlife. I think there’s red squirrels there.
“They have cut down maybe a couple of dozen trees - oak, birch. The oak tree would have been at least 140-year-of age and they were all healthy trees.
“I do not know why they’ve been cut down especially when we are meant to be planting trees."
“I was deeply shocked and saddened,” he added.
“What is even more disturbing, [is] there seems to have been no consultation or warning and a complete lack of regard for the site and protected animal species living at this site.
“I intend to raise this issue at the NI Assembly and have already submitted NI Assembly question and also written to the DAERA minister to express my disappointment and to ask for a full explanation as to why this has happened.
“At a time where we are meant to be tackling climate change and trying to increase out tree population this complete act of vandalism has occurred and what makes it more concerning is that it’s a government agency seems to be doing nothing about it, this matter is also being reported to the PSNI as a wildlife crime.”
A DAERA spokesperson said: "The works in question have been undertaken as a result of a survey highlighting a number of safety issues in the area of Crawfordsburn Country Park.
“As part of works to the area, the opportunity was taken to reduce the potential access, reducing potential for anti-social behaviour and associated unauthorised access and inappropriate use of this area of the park.
“Potential disturbance to wildlife in the area has now also been reduced.
“All the works were completed for validated safety reasons, which were undertaken by a qualified contractually appointed expert.”
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