TREE Preservation Orders at North Site in Malvern are "too little, too late", according to the leader of a campaigning residents' group.

More than 20 trees will be retained when the former defence base is developed for housing, but Chris Richards said the move was a "knee-jerk" reaction by Malvern Hills District Council.

Mr Richards formed a residents' group in December after trees screening the site from his home on Leigh Sinton Road were cut down. He believes these should have been protected and, if necessary, removed when construction work was complete.

"I'm glad they've done something but it should have been done months ago when this started," he said. "These sort of issues should be top of the priorities for an area of outstanding natural beauty."

Mr Richards believes retaining the Leigh Sinton Road trees would have protected residents' quality of life during the development.

"It's an awful sight now they've started demolition, we're faced with dust, noise and piles of rubbish."

MHDC development plans and conservation manager Paul Hill said the council did not seek to retain the trees because they were "not compatible with residential development."

However, he said the council had worked with Persimmon Homes and the Forestry Authority to ensure certain prominent and mature trees were maintained.

"Various forms of tree management have and will be used to ensure that these natural assets are incorporated into redevelopment proposals," he said.

Persimmon's land manager Steve Roberts confirmed an agreement had been reached with MHDC.

"Persimmon Homes has agreed the trees that will remain as part of the scheme with the tree officer and Malvern Hills Council. The trees will be protected during redevelopment," he said.