Protesters have assembled at the site of a city nature reserve to voice anger over the premature felling of trees to make way for a “huge” and “unnecessary” bridge.

The group of residents opposes plans to proceed with development of the Oxpens River Bridge which would link Osney Mead to Oxpens, the site of a planned new Oxford quarter.

Some have questioned the need for an additional bridge at the Grandpont nature reserve when there is already one "a minute’s walk away”.

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Deborah Glass Woodin, a campaigner and former councillor, said: “Why trash this very precious natural habitat?

Oxford Mail: Trees felled.Trees felled. (Image: Contribution.)

“We are protesting the present undemocratic process of felling trees to build an unnecessary bridge.”

Ms Glass Woodin believes the council is pre-empting planning permission for the development, which had not yet received the green light, by felling the trees.

She said the controversial tree felling has come before an application for the Oxpens development had been voted on.

Six trees have already been felled with 18 mature trees still earmarked for removal.

Oxford Mail: Trees in floodwater.Trees in floodwater. (Image: Contribution.)

The campaigner of 30-years said residents had been told on social media prior to the shock removal that only “crown topping and pollarding” would be taking place.

Revised plans for the Oxpens development propose 234 new apartments, 258 student rooms, approximately 500,000sq ft of labs or office space and a 250-bed hotel.

An Oxford City Council spokesman confirmed tree removal was being undertaken now to reduce “significant risk that the programme could be stalled by nesting birds”.

Oxford Mail: Oxpens River Bridge.Oxpens River Bridge. (Image: Oxford City Council)

He added: “The decision to remove the trees was not taken lightly and one of the key considerations was that funding to deliver the new asset would be put at risk, should the start date for any works be delayed beyond the coming summer.

“A range of landscape improvements are included within the new bridge proposals including additional native tree planting, bulb and plug planting and the reseeding of certain areas with perennial woodland seed mixes."

Anna Railton, who is cabinet member for Zero Carbon Oxford and Climate Justice and ward councillor for Hinksey Park, added: “No one is overjoyed with having to remove these trees before planning permission is granted.

Oxford Mail: Anna Railton.Anna Railton. (Image: Oxford City Council.)

“However, if these trees are not removed now it is not possible to deliver the new pedestrian and cycling bridge due to the restrictions of its funding.

“It is a rarity for infrastructure, especially walking and cycling infrastructure, to get funded and built before it is needed, or indeed at all.”

But protester Roo Glazebrook was not persuaded.

She said the bridge itself was “huge”, would tower over the area and change its character.

Ms Glazebrook added: “This is a little bit of countryside right in the centre of Oxford.

Oxford Mail: Marked trees.Marked trees. (Image: Contribution.)

“It’s a very special place and I’ve known it since it began in the 1970s.

“There was just wasteland and old gasworks here so the council made this lovely park.

“I enjoy coming here with my grandchildren.”