A POLICE investigation is underway after several trees were mysteriously chopped down on council-owned land.

Between six and nine trees have been felled on two occasions, next to Jan’s Conference Centre, in Higher Audley Street, Blackburn.

Lancashire Police said they had launched a criminal damage investigation after being informed by Blackburn with Darwen Council on February 9.

According to the council, the site is subject to negotiations between itself and the conference centre owner, Labour councillor Yusuf Jan-Virmani, who wants to buy the land and chop down the trees to make way for extra car parking spaces.

Coun Jan-Virmani, a businessman and former mayor in 2005/2006, said he had ‘no idea’ who felled them, and his fence had also been damaged.

The trees did not have special protected status, he added. He said: “It’s not my problem. I have no idea. Let the council and police find out.”

Coun Jan-Virmani said he had already spent £1,800 surveying the trees as part of the expansion plans.

He added: “The council has not given me permission to chop the trees down. But they have allowed me to take over the land.

“As far as we are concerned, we have spent money on the drawings the council wanted. We are negotiating with the council, but it’s not me who chopped the trees down.”

Coun Faryad Hussain, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s executive member for the environment, said: "The matter has been reported to the police and investigations are continuing.”

Lancashire Police confirmed it was aware of the incident and said it was in the early stages of an investigation.

Coun Jan-Virmani was first elected as a councillor in 1994, representing Little Harwood. He was then elected in the Audley ward in 2002.

A successful businessman, his portfolio includes Jan’s Conference Centre, as well as a petrol station in Accrington Road.

He has also served on a number of council committees, and is a member of Audley Community Association.