"Outraged by the stupidity of this?" No.
I've been at Nottingham for 4 years, and I love (and many people will agree) that the university is so green. The campus has such a nice environment, and I'm certain the university prides itself on this. If they chop down 3 trees, what'll stop them from chopping down more in the future? :P
Anyway, I'm certain they'll alter the design and build it anyway. It will be in their interest to develop this new building.