The dispute, between Castlereagh Borough Council, the Department of Environment (DoE) and a developer, erupted after work began to construct the hotel near Shaw's Bridge in south Belfast.

It is alleged that trees have been cut down and a public right of way closed off without permission.

Building work is currently under way on the former rugby pitches at Shaw's Bridge, near the River Lagan.

The site is bordered on one side by a right of way, known locally as Lock Keeper's Lane, which was lined with mature trees until a few days ago.

But the DoE have said that the trees were cut down "without the consent of the DoE Planning Service."

A DoE statement said: "It was a specific condition of planning approval for the development in question, that the trees were not to be felled without the prior written consent of the Planning Service - which was neither sought nor given."

A gate leading to what residents claim is the right of way, has been locked.

The building contractor has issued a public notice indicating that the path will be closed during construction work.

But some local people are enraged at what has happened.

Patrick Mitchell: Lane may not be opened up again

Alliance Councillor with Castlereagh Borough Council, Patrick Mitchell, said he could not see the lane being opened up again.

"Trees that have been there for years have been cut down and it looks as though this lane is not going to be able to be used again by pedestrians," he said.

Local resident, Chris Murphy, said he had gone away for a few days but came back to discover trees chopped down.

He claimed the path fell within the Lagan Valley Regional Park, which is deemed to be an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Chris Murphy: Discovered trees cut down

"It's not just anywhere," he said. "There are very strict conditions about development here and I couldn't believe they had permission to cut the trees down.

"Only the next day was I able to discover from Planning Service that in fact there was no permission to cut down the trees.

"The trees were to be preserved as was the right of way. I want it back as it was."

The developer, local businessman and hotelier Dilgit Rana, told the BBC that there is no statutory right of way and none of the trees cut down were under a preservation order.