Councillor calls for law change to ‘protect our hedgerows and wildlife’ as housing development sees netting then hedge removal

Housing developers at the site of a controversial housing development of more than 360 homes in Llay have come under criticism for the removal of a boundary hedgerow.

Anwyl Homes and Bellway are at the Gresford Road site doing preparation works at the Gresford Road site, which once complete will see 362 homes built on the land.

A picture tweeted by Bec on Friday afternoon showed that the hawthorn hedgerow on the Straight Mile had been covered in netting – with many since criticising the impact this would have on birds and local wildlife.

Netting has been placed along a hedgerow to prevent birds from nesting to make way for the new housing development in Llay. Huge decline of British wildlife and this is acceptable! Please take It away. It is so sad. @wrexham @IoloWilliams2 pic.twitter.com/QH3fG4D0yv

— Bec (@mumpuldump1) April 4, 2019

The picture received hundreds engagements on Twitter, with many calling for the netting to be removed by the developers. Others also shared a nationwide petition to stop the use of netting to help protect wildlife.

However later that the day the section of hedgerow along the Straight Mile had been cut down and replaced with metal fencing.

So sad and angry. Just visited the site where the netting was yesterday on a beautiful hawthorn hedge and this was what I saw. The hedge has been ripped out. We need to stop this destruction. I am devastated.@IoloWilliams2 @wrexham @wrexhamcbc @NetsNot @AnwylConstruct pic.twitter.com/qbLkgnK625

— Bec (@mumpuldump1) April 5, 2019

Concerns about the loss of hedgerow at the Gresford Road site were raised by Llay councillors Rob Walsh and Bryan Apsley at a planning meeting in August 2018.

Speaking at last year’s meeting Cllr Walsh pointed out that the hedgerows – which are in excess of over 200 years old – were originally meant to be kept as part of the outline planning permission.

He also raised concerns about the impact the removal could have on local wildlife.

Cllr Apsley also moved a recommendation that the plans should be refused on grounds of highway safety, lack of information on plans for the Crown junction and preservation of the hedgerows.

However the plans were later approved by a majority of planning committee members.

The planning document approved by councillors includes detail from the head of environment and planning about the removal of the hedgerow, stating: “The landscaping scheme makes provision for structured tree planting within the site as well as around the site boundaries, the provision of hedgerows and areas of wildflower meadow within the centre POS.

“Brick walls are to be used to enclose the corners boundaries of corner plots.

“Other than for a short section along the Gresford Road frontage, the hedges enclosing the existing highway boundaries will be removed. The wall enclosing the southern section of the Gresford Road frontage is also to be removed.

“The outline planning permission does not impose any requirements for the existing means of boundary enclosure along the two road frontages of the site to be retained. The alterations proposed are necessary in order to provide visibility splays for the proposed site accesses and to facilitate an acceptable form of development on the site as a whole.

“The submitted plans make provision for a landscaped buffer along the Straight Mile enclosed by 1.2m high Cheshire railings.

“Tree planting will take place within the buffer and hedgerows provided to the frontages of dwelling facing out onto the Straight Mile.

“There will also be a landscaped buffer along the Gresford Road frontage, albeit more limited in depth than the one proposed for the Straight Mile, along with hedge planting to enclose private driveways and individual accesses.

“The south-western corner of the site will remain undeveloped as it will form part of an area of public open space. The area of open space immediately behind the Gresford Road boundary will be enhanced with species rich grassland and tree planting.

“The approach taken to landscaping will enhance street scenes within the site, ensures that open spaces contribute significantly to the visual amenity of the development and whilst providing for appropriate enclosure of the external boundaries of the site.”

Today Cllr Rob Walsh told us, “I raised the issue about protecting the hedgerows last year at Planning Committee, but the verdict was that ripping them out was acceptable, something I strongly disagree with.

“I have been unhappy from the word go that this development has started when there are conditions still to be discharged, yet more concerned that hedgerows have started to be ripped out and also covered in nets.

“I phoned the RSPB a few days ago and they said their actions would only be criminal if evidence could be provided that there were nesting birds present. We have no evidence to suggest that there are any birds` nests present, but I personally believe that no development no matter how much money it will make the developers should consider ripping down or covering hedges. Especially at this time of year, when the law of averages states that it is likely there will be birds nesting. Finding them would not necessarily be easy. I sincerely hope the law is changed sooner rather later to protect our hedgerows and wildlife.”