The owners of the Osprey restaurant in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, have admitted they 'made a mistake' after cutting down around 80 trees to extend the car park. The Birk family, who recently purchased the site, said the decision to clear the wooded area was 'wrong' and that they are now replanting young trees and bringing in a landscape architect.
Local residents expressed fury over the felling, which included an oak tree over 100 years old. In a Facebook statement, the family apologised unreservedly, noting that while there were no tree preservation orders and the site is not in a conservation area, this was 'not an excuse for the insensitive call'.
South Lanarkshire Council confirmed the trees were not protected but noted that felling permission may be required from Scottish Forestry in some cases. Scottish Forestry said no permission had been granted and has opened an investigation.
The Birk family, who also run the award-winning Malletsheugh restaurant in Newton Mearns, said they hope to repair community relations and work with local conservation groups. East Kilbride MSP Collette Stevenson has sought clarification from the council and the owners on who authorised the works and why.
