A probe has been ordered in the north into the mass felling of trees on the foot of the Pentadactylos mountain in Kyrenia for the construction of a residential plot, reports said on Monday.

According to media reports in the north, ‘prime minister’ Ersan Saner ordered a probe into the felling of trees in an area of around 75 acres (303,514 square metres) on the foot of the Pentadaktylos mountain for the construction of a complex of 105 residences.

The probe followed strong reactions over the environmental destruction.

Detractors said that the land in question, that was in a military area, was given for the construction of a new hospital for the Kyrenia district but it was later announced that a complex would be constructed instead for residences for retired military officers.