There has been widespread anger at the destruction of two large lengths of hedgerow at the sites of the planned entrances to the Foundry Lea development . We understand that there was a mistake made by those carrying out the work.
The developers announced that the preliminary site clearance work would be “….the removal of small sections of the hedge line ..” and comply with the “Hedgerow removal” on the tree retention plan 10042-E-D approved by the Dorset Council Tree Officer.
Instead contractors working for the developers have been responsible for wanton destruction of decades-old mature trees and ancient hedgerows.
We are at a loss as to how this could have occurred when the plans for protecting and retaining these trees and hedgerows were clearly spelt out. The developers claim that they will put this destruction right is laughable. Dorset Council must launch their own investigation and take legal action against the developers to ensure that this transgression does not go unpunished. Also additional monitoring of the developers actions are put in place with these additional costs being paid for by the developers.
The hedge in question is planted on land belonging to Sir Philip Colfox, who said he was “deeply saddened” by what had happened. Perhaps he may be eligible for some sort of compensation for this. However the damage to the environment has been done.
The start of the work has brought home to residents the reality of what such a massive development will mean within the Dorset AONB . The developers have set out in their plans to preserve some of the environmental features on the site. But this will by no means cover all the hedges and trees. We hope that residents will continue to monitor the work being carried out to ensure that the developers stick to the conditions of the planning consent.
Barratt Homes and Vistry Group were “forced” to publicly apologise following the incident, which they put down to a “communication failure”, adding they will be replacing the removed elements “as soon as possible”.
(Via: http://www.advearse.org.uk/)
Developers have offered ‘reparations’ after wrongly knocking down an ancient hedgerow on the edge of Bridport when starting work on a 760-home development.
They have offered to reinstate the hedgerow, including ‘semi-mature replacement trees’ and ‘native hedgerow species’.