Ipswich: 1000 year old hedge cut down on Wolsey Grange site

Sproughton Parish Council claims the ancient shrubbery was removed in 2018 by Taylor Wimpey for the development of Wolsey Grange - which will see up to 750 homes built on both sides of Hadleigh Road, east of the A14, close to Chantry Park.

The hedge (on the left-hand side of the road) is believed to have. Credit: Google Maps (Image: Google Maps)

The authority says the hedgerow - which was located in Poplar Lane - has been "pursuing a complaint" to both the chief executive and Planning Enforcement department of Babergh District Council.

Helen Davies, chair of the parish council, said: "‘We are very disappointed at the lack of action by Babergh.

"Developers should not be able to run roughshod over agreed planning applications. This species rich hedge would have housed birds, insects & other creatures.

"We would hope that with the increased awareness of our increasing lack of biodiversity in the UK, Babergh would see this as an important issue to address.

Helen Davies, chair of Sproughton Parish Council. Credit: Helen Davies (Image: Helen Davies)

"This type of problem is something we are seeing more and more of."

However, Taylor Wimpey has responded to the accusations by saying all works have been carried out "with the approved permissions and following consultation with Babergh Mid Suffolk District Council."

A spokesman added: "The hedge removal took place along Poplar Lane to allow for road widening under the Section 278 agreement.

"This hedge will be replanted in due course as the housing on this phase of the development moves forward."

A spokesman for Babergh District Council spokesman said:

"Ensuring that homes are built in the right place at the right time in our district is one of our biggest priorities. We work hard at the planning stage to make sure the communities these homes are built in are consulted effectively, and that the developers working on these sites communicate their programme of work clearly as they are built.

The hedge (which used to be on the left-hand side) was removed in 2018. Credit: Google Maps (Image: Google Maps)

"As the planning authority, we are in frequent contact with Taylor Wimpey, as we are with all housebuilders working in our district. The Wolsey Grange development was planned to be as sympathetic as possible to the landscape. In their plans, Taylor Wimpey have committed to mitigating measures where any established arboriculture had to be removed.

"The council has given extensive consideration to the concerns raised by the parish council about this hedgerow. We also responded fully to the Environmental Law Society, who wrote to us on the parish council’s behalf, setting out the steps the council will take with the housebuilder (including potential enforcement action) to see the hedge replaced."