Readers have criticised the manager of a Barrow hotel after the council was alerted that he had cut down protected trees without authorisation.

Brian Conroy of the Abbey House Hotel, was reported by Paul Littlewood of Barrow, who works at the Woodland Trust, for cutting down the trees that Mr Conroy claims were afflicted with ash dieback and a danger to the public because of upcoming storms.

Mr Conroy was visited by Gordon Robson, who works in planning enforcement at the council, who said that the hotel had issued an 'unreserved apology', and that he is 'satisfied that the hotel acted in good faith'.

READ MORE: Hotel boss defends decision to chop down trees without permission

A planning application for the felling of 'up to 37' trees at the hotel has now been submitted, but readers are not happy with the leniency of the comments fromMr Robson.

Bob Pointing commented: "It was done at the start of the bird nesting season. 

"It is very debatable whether the trees suffering from the worst dieback were felled. 

"I believe this contractor (who obviously knew very little about trees) felled the wrong ones. 

"Arboricultural vandalism -nothing less! Barrow Council should prosecute the Hotel - they have the powers."

Tony Smeaton agreed: "Those trees have been 'under attack' for many decades. 

"I seem to remember that it is recorded that previous owners (and would-be owners) tried to get them down for development purposes.

"They were felled knowing that it would not be approved. This is a malicious act and needs punishing.

"If you agree then ensure you boycott Abbey House."

Nosensenononsense had a similar opinion: "To suggest that there's 'good faith' is pure assumption.

"The contractors should've known the situation, as it is they who are ultimately responsible.

"Has anyone presented a report from a recognised arboriculturalist?

"Mr Conroy, a hotel manager, obviously thinks he has a skillset re trees, tree disease, and meteorology then.

"Not a word from the hotel re mitigation eg the replanting of the area with an appropriate species, sort of shows how 'sorry' they are.

"Just another chancer ignoring the process knowing he's liable to get away with it. (it's only thanks to a member of the public this has even come to light)."