A LOUGHTON residents' group is making a plea for three trees that were felled as part of the town's High Road enhancement scheme to be restored.

Loughton Residents Association is calling for new trees to be planted outside a row of shops in Centric Parade.

When plans for the enhancement scheme were being made, Lochcarron, the then owner of the properties which are leased to shops including WH Smith, Starbucks and Superdrug, gave permission for the land to be paved in keeping with the rest of the High Road on the condition that the trees were not replaced.

Lochcarron surveyor Chris Duffy said: "The trees were up against the buildings which caused a structural concern and they obscured the building which did not look good and the retailers didn't like it.

"As we understood it though, the plan was still to have trees there, just closer to the road."

But Loughton Residents Association vice-chairman David Linnell said he feared the loss of trees would make the High Road "barren".

He said: "With the work still going on it's difficult but we would like to put some pressure on the council to put in some new trees, and put some pressure on the freeholder as well.

"The loss of the trees will make a difference because there are not enough in the High Road and walking down there under the shade of trees is far nicer."

Mr Linnell said the residents' association hopes to convince Epping Forest District Council to fund the planting of trees on highway land rather than in privately-owned areas.

A council spokesman confirmed that the agreement with Lochcarron included a clause banning the replacement of the trees and said any decision to replace them would depend on the overall cost of the scheme and whether there is space in the public highway for new trees.