A developer who was refused planning permission to remove part of an ancient hedgerow has now cut approximately 20m of the hedgerow down to waist height and from the remaining 200m length cut several mature trees. Home to protected bats, owls, birds, hedgehogs and other wildlife habitats. This act of vandalism must be stopped.

A planning application has now been re submitted and seeks permission to rip out an entire 15m of the butchered hedgerow to create a new road access.

see cheshire east planning application: 18/5180M

This new opening does not seem to comply with the visibility criteria needed even though the developers tried to solve this by chopping down the hedgerow. There is still a listed ash tree  in the field of vision. The  new opening is on a bend on a small road, which does not have a puplic path. The new opening could endanger lives of pedestrians and drivers will not be  able to adequately see vehicles exiting the site.

This road has known to have its dangers and cyclists are asked to dismount.

A 3m wide gate access already exists, suitable for access for a van trailer / horse box and smaller harvester.  This 3 Acre field has been serviced via this gate for many years.

We are aiming to get a true evaluation of the bats, wildlife and birds present this hedgerow and get the hedgerow protected to prevent its removal and destruction.

The ancient hedgerow at Browns lane was recorded in the Tithe Map of the area dating back to 1841 and was owned by the Earl of Stamford. This hedgerow formed part of a field which existed prior to the Enclosure Act of 1845. As such this hedgerow should be listed as imported and protected by the Hedgerow Regulations Act 1997 and the local Government Act of 1972. 

It also covered by the biodiversity action plan which seeks to hold the loss of ancient species rich hedgerows and endangered species of fauna.

This all seems to have gone on deaf ears and the sabotage of the hedgerow, trees and bat habitat has been largely ignored.

Several trees within the hedgerow are protected including an amazing ash tree home to starlings and sparrows. These Tall and ancient hedgerows give a home to twice as many species as most animals prefer older overgrown natural hedgerows.

Around three quarters of British bat species are known to roost in trees. Trees such as beech and ash are particularly suitable for bats, but any woodland or tree has potential for a bat roost – especially if it has cavities in the trunk or branches, woodpecker holes, loose bark, cracks, splits and thick ivy. These trees provide shelter and attract a diverse range of insect species for bats to feed on.

We have recorded and identified 5 species of bat within the hedgerow and tree line. We have made over 160 recordings and logged flight paths.

The hedgerow removal has been logged with the wildlife police and now we need to bring action to get this site surveyed before we lose it forever.

The hedgerow trees identified along this stretch include

Elder, hawthorn, holly, oak, ash, willow, lime large leaf, lime small leaf, and birch many of which have been cut to a 1m height.

We have identified and photographed birds that nest and forage around the site. Many on the Red List which is the highest conservation priority. These include

Barn owl, Tawny owls, Song thrush, starlings, house sparrow, tree sparrow, grey wagtails, bullfinches, dunnocks, nuthatch, mallards, buzzards and sparrow hawks, wrens, jays, gold crest, greenfinches, blackbird, blue tit, coal tit, long tailed tit, chaffinch, crows, and a heron.

I must not forget the hedgehogs which we have in abundance.

Please sign and help save ALL the protected trees, hedgerow and wildlife corridor before it's too late.