A DEVELOPER said sorry for upsetting villagers by sending in workmen with bulldozers and chainsaws to clear a site - then carried on regardless.

But the clean-up of the five-acre site at Crossways could mean legal action against Ravine Investments for felling trees without a licence.

And the completion of clearance work has infuriated people living nearby who say the field was a haven for wildlife including adders and slowworms.

Jim Tarzey, of Pegasus Planning Group, which is working on behalf of the Bournemouth-based developer, said Ravine Investments apologised for concern or inconvenience the work may have caused for residents.

And he rebutted claims by villagers that the bank holiday weekend was picked for the work to make it harder for them to get hold of officials to call a halt.

Mr Tarzey said: "We delayed the start of the clearance until after the local elections because that's a sensitive time with people fighting for votes.

"We apologise if anyone was concerned or inconvenienced. We carried out an initial ecological assessment of the site and found no protected species."

He added: "It is private land, not common land and not meadow land. Ravine Investments has not yet bought the land but is contracted to purchase and was entitled to start clearing the site."

But Dick Preston, woodland officer for Dorset with the Forestry Commission, inspected the site and said it was possible the developer faced action for felling without a licence.

He said a licence was needed for felling more than five cubic metres in any one calendar quarter.

He estimated that one felled tree alone accounted for one cubic metre.

He added: "Even the scrubby stuff can count where stems are seven centimetres in diameter.

"There were no tree preservation orders on this site but I am measuring the wood cut down and if that exceeds the limit then it could mean prosecution."

People living at Oaklands Park which adjoins the field - part of a former RAF site and known as the hippy field after an invasion by travellers several years ago - were fuming about the work.

Monica Peacock and June Russell, who walk their dogs in the area, said they were angry and upset at the way the work was done. Mrs Russell said: "I'm flabbergasted. It's total devastation. It's not just the fact of the clearance - it's the way it was done.

"We all know the site is going to be developed, but this was no way to start."

Mrs Peacock said: "The noise has been terrible and they started the work right up close to where people live, with no warning.

"There has always been wildlife on this land - adders and slowworms and deer."

Peter and Elaine Stenning, both members of the park homes site's residents' association, said people had come to them distressed about the work.

Mrs Stenning said: "People have been upset about it and felt intimidated by the workmen. They don't know what to do.

"The timing has made people suspicious. It's not a good start for any future development - they've lost a lot of goodwill doing this."

The site has planning permission for an industrial estate.

Mr Tarzey said the developer wanted to hold a consultation including an exhibition in Crossways to explore proposals for a mixed use scheme.

The proposal could include a nursing home, pub, shops, offices and starter units.

He said the scheme would incorporate replanting and a landscape buffer with Oaklands Park.

A site manager said tree surgeons were expected to be finished by today. Trees being felled included self-seeded birch, sycamore and hawthorn.

He said: "It's the old RAF site with a bunker and concrete from the runway - not an easy site to clear."