'Our posh area has been ruined,' cry residents as hedges are 'ruthlessly slashed down' by council leaving 'eyesore' | O6PG09T | 2024-01-31 06:08:01
The overgrown hedgerow in Sandbanks, on the edge of
RESIDENTS are furious after council staff "ruthlessly slashed down" hedges in a complicated space leaving an "eyesore".
The overgrown hedgerow in Sandbanks, on the edge of Poole Harbour, Dorset, has been ruthlessly reduce to the stump.
Officers stated they acted to improve the security of pedestrians crossing the street.
That they had also acquired complaints that the overgrown foliage was scratching a few of the flash automobiles parked on the millionaire's row.
But while well-heeled residents had referred to as for the hedges to be better maintained some stated the workmen have gone too far and "devastated the world".
They accused Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council of being "heavy handed" by "hacking down" the hedges as an alternative of simply trimming them back.
There were even claims that that they had acted to improve the views of residents in exclusive flats, although this was denied.
'ABSOLUTE EYESORE'
Caroline Papp, 52, a profession coach who lives in nearby Ashley Cross and ceaselessly walks in Sandbanks, stated: "It's an absolute eyesore; I don't perceive why they wanted to be reduce fairly so much.
"It is horrible, they need to contemplate the wildlife; birds nesting within the hedges could have nowhere to go.
"It is very important have greenery in our area.
"I know it's worthwhile to reduce the hedges every year to not block the path but this is far beyond a hard prune.
"They've devastated those hedges and I think it is a cost-cutting train as it was cheaper to do it that approach."
A Sandbanks resident, who requested to remain nameless, stated: "It seems horrible, I don't know why they didn't trim them as an alternative of hacking it down."
Nevertheless, other locals praised the council for a "nice and proactive choice".
Sandie Smith stated: "I feel it's a great choice – the plants will probably be recent and reinvigorated for the summer.
"We will't let issues go to rack and spoil; we have to be proactive."
Stephen Allen stated: "The hedges have been utterly overgrown as that they had not been reduce since earlier than the pandemic, when they should be achieved every year.
"That they had develop into a safety hazard as there is a zebra crossing and once you drove down the street individuals would all of a sudden seem from behind the hedge and you would need to do an emergency stop.
"It was an accident waiting to occur.
"The council have utterly chopped it again and it seems ugly in the intervening time but it is going to grow again.
"I do know they are cash-strapped however they should do a greater job maintaining this space of Sandbanks."
A spokesman for BCP Council stated coppicing would not harm wildlife and regrowth will appear in the spring when crops begin to produce flower heads.
He insisted enhancing residents' views was "not part of their consideration" they usually as an alternative acted as a "safety" measure.
'NO IMPACT ON WILDLIFE'
Councillor Andy Hadley, portfolio holder at BCP Council for climate response, setting and energy stated: "The tamarisk hedgerows on Banks Street have been coppiced.
"That is normal apply to enhance the health of the plant, forestall tangled branches and promote dense heads of foliage.
"On this instance, the security of pedestrians and street customers in the space was additionally a big issue within the determination to coppice, as we had acquired multiple reviews of the hedge impacting on the road of sight of individuals utilizing the crossing point outdoors the Sandbanks Lodge, and the public crossing from the seashore to the Tesco Categorical.
"The crops had very thick woody progress and now this can be maintained every winter with none influence to the general public, wildlife, or street users.
"Regrowth will appear in the spring when the plant begins to supply flower heads.
"These are good for bees, butterflies, and another pollinators in that area.
"There isn't a influence on wildlife."
Sandbanks, which is made up of about 800 households, has a number of well-known residents together with former football managers Harry Redknapp and Graeme Souness and the computer magnate Sir Peter Ogden.
It comes after residents dwelling close to Duran Duran frontman Simon Le Bon are furious over the "endless" building work happening at his house.
In July final yr, residents have been left fuming after their council put up a huge 1.8m fence outdoors their houses.
Meanwhile, an aged retired faculty instructor has found herself caged into her own home by "spiteful" council bosses hell-bent on promoting off a carpark to builders.
More >> https://ift.tt/3FzmuGi Source: MAG NEWS
