RESIDENTS near Chard have hit out after the “neglectful destruction” of a valuable wildlife habitat and point of natural beauty.

Knapp Lane in Chaffcombe used to feature a hedge archway which was home to animals during nesting season and provided safe passage for them across the road.

However, it was cut down to around one metre high by the land owners at Cricket St Thomas Golf Club.

Valerie Godsmark, neighbour and chairman of the Chard and Ilminster branch of Somerset Wildlife Trust, said: “This hedge had been a feature of the local landscape as together with the hedge on the opposite side of the road it formed an arched, woody habitat and wildlife corridor offering food and shelter to a wide variety of species.

“It is my opinion the methods used and the timing were inappropriate and insensitive for this particular and distinctive hedgerow feature.

“Birds were already starting to nest in the area and dormice are known to occupy adjacent land and would therefore value this habitat.”

Tony Yates, another resident, said: “The work has been undertaken with a total disregard for the environment. The site owner was fully aware that the hedges provided valuable wildlife habitat including an important corridor for hazel dormice.

“Dormice populations have seen steady decline since 2000 and wilful and neglectful destruction of habitats such as that witnessed in Knapps Lane only serves to make the long term survival of the Dormouse in the UK more precarious.”

Government guidelines prevent people from carrying out work which may harm nesting birds or destroy their nests, with the main nesting period as March 1 to August 31.

A spokesman for SSDC has said there is some flexibility in this date.

Dr Yates added: “While legislation does allow for the cutting and removal of hedges beyond March 1, there is surely a moral responsibility on hedging contractors and clients to assess, record and confirm that works carried out will not disturb actively nesting birds and other wildlife?

“Given a little imagination and forethought this hedge line could easily have been managed using more sustainable methods and not left visitors with the resultant eyesore.”

Cricket St Thomas Golf Club has been contacted for a comment, but has not yet provided a response.