Thanks Barry W-S . I can assure you the Judas tree was in no way strangling other trees - have a look - its the 43rd photo down in the left column in the link below.
http://www.connaughtpark.co.uk/calender%20pics%2010/6.may/galla1/index.html
I wrote to Darran Solley who informed me it was he who " took the difficult decision to remove it" , Well I can tell you that it was not a difficult decision but just a very ignorant one and is totally in keeping with the poor standard of decision making from Mr.Solleys office that has seen so many good trees & shrubs & hedges destroyed over the last few years . These plants could have been rejuvenated with some skillful attention from knowledgeable gardeners at much less expense than grubbing out and replanting with all that entails with establishing new plantings - watering , weeding and endless maintenance until new plantings are able to look after themselves. But I forget , Mr.Solleys ideas of new planting are just to turf these areas that have been so degraded.
I just hope some of the enthusiasm for the park that I have read on this forum filters through to Mr.Solleys office and he receives some much needed guidance. N