THE 'insensitive' removal of trees on an approach road to Callington, planted to remember people who died in the first world war, has outraged members of the Royal British Legion and town councillors.

The five pollarded memorial trees on Launceston Road were taken out to widen a road as part of highway improvements during the construction of a new housing development at Bowling Green.

Chairman of the Callington and District Royal British Legion David Jones told town councillors at a meeting on Tuesday that people were very upset, as they were unaware the trees were going to be taken down.

'The trees were first planted there in about 1920 in remembrance of people who died from this town and district during the Great War,' he said. 'Five have been cut down to widen the road for another new housing estate that has suddenly arrived in Callington.'

District and town councillor Andrew Long said he had contacted Caradon's planning department about the issue.

'I have complained about the gross insensitiveness of what they have done,' he said.

'There seems to be an incredible lack of knowledge about this which I find deeply concerning.'

It was also claimed the county's highways department, which was carrying out the road improvements, were unaware of the sensitive nature of the trees.

Town councillors were aware the trees had to be taken out but had requested it be done as sensitively as possible, with a dedication plaque put in their place and a ceremony carried out at the same time as the trees were felled.

The removal of the trees was part of a Section 106 legal agreement between the district council and the developers when planning permission for the 31 homes was granted in 2007. It also included planting new trees on the other side of the pavement.

A spokesperson for the district council said the town council would have been fully consulted on the planning application and the 106 agreement. It was recommended the trees be removed as they were obscuring the junction at South Hill Road.