'Our posh area has been destroyed', residents shout as hedges are 'ruthlessly torn down' by council, creating 'eyesore'

RESIDENTS are furious after council workers 'ruthlessly' cut down hedges in an upmarket area, leaving an 'eyesore'.

Into the overgrown hedge Sandbankson the verge of Pool Port, Dorsethas been ruthlessly cut back to the stump.

Residents of the sandbanks say the hedges have not only been shortened, but 'cut off'Credit: BNPS

What the hedges looked like before they were prunedCredit: BNPS

One local described it as an 'eyesore' that went well beyond a 'hard plum'Credit: BNPS

Officials say they have taken action to improve the safety of pedestrians crossing the road.

They had also received complaints that the overgrown foliage was scratching some of the flashy cars parked in the parking lot millionaires row.

But while affluent residents had called for better maintenance of the hedges, some said workers had gone too far and “destroyed the area”.

They accused BournemouthChristchurch and Poole (BCP) Council to be 'heavy-handed' by 'cutting down' the hedges rather than just pruning them back.

It was even claimed that they had acted to improve the views of residents of exclusive flats, although this was denied.

'ABSOLUTE EYEDOING'

Caroline Papp, 52, a career coach who lives in nearby Ashley Cross and regularly runs in Sandbanks, said: “It's an absolute eyesore; I don't understand why so many cuts had to be made.

“It's terrible, they have to take nature into account; birds nesting in the hedges has nowhere to go.

“It is important that there is greenery in our environment.

“I know you have to cut the hedges back every year so they don't block the path, but this goes way beyond a hard pruning.

“They destroyed those hedges and I suspect it's a cost-cutting exercise because it was cheaper to do it that way.”

We cannot let things be destroyed; we have to be proactive

Sandbank resident Sandie Smith supports the measure

A Sandbanks resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “It looks awful, I don't know why they haven't shortened them instead of breaking them down.”

However, other local residents praised the council for a “great and proactive decision”.

Sandie Smith said: “I think it's a great decision plants will be fresh and revitalized for the summer.

“We can't let things get ruined; we have to be proactive.”

Stephen Allen said: “The hedges were completely overgrown as they had not been pruned since the last century pandemicwhen they should be done every year.

“They had become a safety risk because there is a zebra crossing and when you drive onto the road, suddenly people come out from behind the hedge and you have to make an emergency stop.

'It was an accident waiting to happen.

“The council has completely cut it back and it looks ugly at the moment, but it will grow back.

“I know they're strapped for cash, but they need to do a better job of maintaining this sandbar area.”

A spokesperson for the BCP Council said coppicing will not harm wildlife and will see regrowth in the woodlands spring when plants begin to produce flower heads.

He stressed that improving residents' views was “not part of their considerations” and instead acted as a “safety measure”.

'NO IMPACT ON WILDLIFE'

Councilor Andy Hadley, portfolio holder at BCP Council for Climate Response, Environment and energy said: 'The tamarisk hedges on Banks Road have been cut down.

“This is a normal practice to… health of the plant, prevent tangled branches and promote dense leaf heads.

“In this case, the safety of pedestrians and road users in the area was also an important factor in the decision to hedge, as we had received several reports that the hedge was impacting the line of sight of people using the crossing point outside the Sandbanks. , and the public crossing from the beach to the Tesco Emphatic.

“The plants had very thick woody growth and now this can be maintained individually winter without any impact on the public, nature or road users.

“Regrowth will appear in the spring when the plant begins to produce flower heads.

“These are good for bees, butterflies and other pollinators in that area.

“There is no impact on nature.”

Zandbanken, which consists of approximately 800 households, has several well-known residents, including former football administrators Harry Redknapp And Graeme Soness and the computer magnate Sir Peter Ogden.

It comes after residents living near frontman Duran Duran Simon LeBon are furious about the “endless” construction work happens at his home.

In July last year, residents were left furious after their municipality submitted a proposal large fencing of 1.8 meters outside their homes.

Meanwhile, an older retired teacher cgrew older in her own home by 'hateful' council bosses determined to sell a car park to developers.