Persimmon Homes removed a hedge to build an access road for a new housing development near Station Road.
Persimmon Homes removed a hedge to build an access road for a new housing development near Station Road.
Castle Cary Hedge Removed for Housing Plan Despite Resident Concerns
The council and Persimmon say the hedge removal aligns with past permission. They did this before bird nesting season started.
Rules protect countryside hedges. The Hedgerow Regulations say you need permission to remove them. Removal is not allowed from March to August, protecting nesting birds.
Persimmon needs written approval before building. The council must approve the look, layout, and scale of the building.
A resident, Robert Brown, complained to the council about the hedge removal. He thinks they are wrong and calls their response incorrect.
He says the removal breaks planning rules. It is not part of the recent application.
Persimmon got permission in 2016. They plan up to 165 homes on Station Road, with land set aside for a primary school.
In 2019, Persimmon detailed home design. They reduced the homes to 162 following talks with planners.
Persimmon says they had permission. The hedge work will not speed up applications. They say the work was done legally, and access is now easier to the site. It happened before bird nesting season and is separate from the planning application.
The council says Persimmon didn’t give notice, but the outline permit covers this work. So, they won’t take any action. The council says the plan has consent and the access point needs clear sight lines. The removed hedge site provided that.
The application is still reviewed. The council will decide when done.
The council and Persimmon say the hedge removal aligns with past permission. They did this before bird nesting season started.
Rules protect countryside hedges. The Hedgerow Regulations say you need permission to remove them. Removal is not allowed from March to August, protecting nesting birds.
Persimmon needs written approval before building. The council must approve the look, layout, and scale of the building.
A resident, Robert Brown, complained to the council about the hedge removal. He thinks they are wrong and calls their response incorrect.
He says the removal breaks planning rules. It is not part of the recent application.
Persimmon got permission in 2016. They plan up to 165 homes on Station Road, with land set aside for a primary school.
In 2019, Persimmon detailed home design. They reduced the homes to 162 following talks with planners.
Persimmon says they had permission. The hedge work will not speed up applications. They say the work was done legally, and access is now easier to the site. It happened before bird nesting season and is separate from the planning application.
The council says Persimmon didn’t give notice, but the outline permit covers this work. So, they won’t take any action. The council says the plan has consent and the access point needs clear sight lines. The removed hedge site provided that.
The application is still reviewed. The council will decide when done.