A DEVELOPER’S start on its new housing build has caused outrage in Twyford.
Croudace Homes began work on the new Millgrove development by cutting down mature trees and hedgerows at its site, on the south side of the A4, west of the Wargrave Road roundabout, and east of the Riverways Farm entrance.
At the same time National Hedgerow Week (May 4 to 10) was being celebrated in Wokingham Libraries.
Residents are angry that the felling took place at such an environmentally sensitive time of year
One Twyford resident said: “Croudace has completely destroyed a large area of hedgerow, and cut down several mature trees during peak bird nesting period.
“I can’t imagine they were given permission from Wokingham Borough Council (WBC).
“While residents understand that development needs to take place, there can be no reason why Croudace needs to destroy this area immediately – and certainly not in the spring.”
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Wokingham Borough Council were approached to ask whether authorisation for the preparatory work to remove the trees and hedges had been granted.
A council representative said: “Permission for this work was not given by Wokingham Borough Council.
“The developer has planning permission, and part of that is a requirement for an Arboricultural Assessment which has been provided showing details of tree removal.
“This has not yet been formally discharged, which would have given consent to work on the trees.
“At present no enforcement notice is being proposed but the company has been asked to stop work until all relevant details have been discharged.”
Dozens of Twyford residents have been sharing their anger about what they regard as wanton destruction, online.
One said: “There’s no excuse.
“The developers and contractors should know better.
“Sadly, now it’s done, and I’m as angry as everyone else.”
Another said: “I hope the developers receive a hefty fine.”
The same person was concerned that WBC’s planning enforcement team may not do anything, and recommended that the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, and the Council for the Protection of Rural England should be contacted as well.
Croudace has been contacted several times for comment by Wokingham.Today but has not responded.
