Tree cutting in Red Squirrel habitat

[Het]

I live on the outskirts of a small village next to the Village recreation ground. This area although moderately used has been left to its own devices for a number of years. There are now a small group of Red Squirrels living and nesting - as far as I can tell- in this area, I know because I have a small feeding station set up behind my house on the edge of the small woodland area. This summer a group of locals have decided the rec ground needs an overhaul and have been tidying up and painting. My neighbour now informs me that one of them has told him that they are intending to chop down a number of trees, for cosmetic reasons rather than anything else. When he protested at this he was basically told that they would do what they wanted to do.I haven't yet been able to speak to any of the people involved in the tree chopping to find out exactly what is planned, and whether its just some pruning or some major chopping down. Obviously my concern is that they chop down trees that the squirrels are using, perhaps for nesting.Before I do speak to anyone I would like to have my facts straight as to whether they are allowed to do something which would affect the squirrels habitat which this may well do.
So does anyone have any knowledge of these matters......I would be grateful for any experience anyone may have had in a similar situation. It may well be Chinese whispers but I would like to be prepared.........

[demicav]

Red squirrels are protected by law from being injured, kept or killed. It's also illegal to interfere with a drey ( nest site ). How ever the law does not protect trees that are visited by the squirrels ( unless there's a nest in there I presume ). I think it's terrible but I'm not surprised by it. The biggest threat to red squirrels MAN.

[eeyore]

best bet as regards stopping them is to go to the owners of the rec (council I would guess) if you advance a rational argument why not and possibly mention the potential for bad press then they will pull the plug and the local residents group cant (or at least shouldnt) do any work against the owners wishes

They shouldnt be doing tree work at this time of year anyway - apart from required H+S works no tree work ought to be done in the nesting season and it is also better for the trees to do such work when the sap is down (ie in the autumn / winter)

[seamusagleann]

i don't really know but it used to be if a tree is over a certain diametre a felling license is required ,but i do know for certain that if a tree is found to be a bat roost it is illeagal to fell it ,even if it is deemed a danger ,so why can't it apply to red squirrels ?