Police called after verge stripped of vegetation
ACTIVITY on a site proposed for a controversial plan to build nine houses was reported to the police.
Hurst villagers saw about eight people working among vegetation along a strip by Broadwater Lane (the A321) as it enters Hurst from Twyford.
It’s claimed there’s been trespass, criminal damage including removing decades-old vegetation and pruning trees with Tree Protection Orders, on the strip bordering the green field proposed for the homes.
It’s also been alleged that the work was done to try and stop the planning application.
A spokesperson for the field owner, Haines Hill Estate, said: “The roadside verge along Broadwater Lane in front of Shorewood Homes’ application site is owned in part by Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) and, in part, by Haines Hill Estate.
“Without authority from either party, on January 15, two people were observed cutting down plant life and vegetation along a stretch of around 30m. Despite being told they were trespassing and asked to stop, on January 28 a larger group of people
were seen removing the remainder of the plant life.
“In doing so, branches were pruned from trees protected by Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) despite WBC’s TPO order specifically stating that ‘works to any [TPO] tree, including pruning to branches or roots, must not be carried out without written permission from the Council’.
“In light of this potential criminal damage, we understand both the police and WBC’s Enforcement Officer became involved and interviewed at least one alleged perpetrator.
“Objecting to prospective development is understandable. But it cannot be acceptable to break the law, trespassing and causing criminal damage (removing vegetation that had been there for decades; as well as pruning TPO trees) in order to try and stop a planning application.
“Rich habitat for multiple wildlife species was removed but we understand Shorewood has undertaken to re-plant this roadside with a diverse species-rich hedgerow.”
A Wokingham Borough Council spokesperson said: “We received a report of vegetation being cleared along Broadwater Lane, which our planning enforcement team investigated as a possible breach. We discovered some clearance had taken place on highway land, mainly brambles.
“We told the person responsible they shouldn’t be removing vegetation from highway land, but concluded there was no breach of planning regulations.””
Thames Valley Police said: “After consultation with the council, they are picking up the investigation.”
Wokingham Today has asked Shorewood Homes for a comment.
A protest group, Broadwater Fields Group is fighting the homes which would be outside Hurst’s development area. They have been asked to comment on the Haines Hill statement, but had not replied as we went to press.
The borough council will decide whether to give planning permission. Comments on the plan number 240583 can be made by Thursday, March 28.
The protest group has a Broadwater Fields Facebook page.