A national gas company has explained why it cleared vegetation on the Isle of Wight coast – but failed to acknowledge it was protected and shouldn’t have been touched without permission.
Last week Islanders were shocked when work on Egypt and Princes’ Esplanade, bordering Cowes and Gurnard, ‘absolutely obliterated’ greenery opposite the Solent.
The work has since stopped after the Isle of Wight Council got involved, but it was too late for the protected woodland.
The site is a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation and has a Tree Preservation Order which means permission needed to be obtained to clear any of the site.
Local ward councillor, Paul Fuller, confirmed no permission was sought and branded those behind it ‘irresponsible’.
National gas company, SGN, which owns part of the land, has said the site was assessed by its expert ecologist before work commenced and they worked within the guidance they provided.
Work carried out for “safety reasons”
Waseem Hanif, an SGN spokesperson said they had conducted a vegetation clearance to the lower part of their site for safety reasons.
He said the site was very overgrown, concealing trip hazards, uneven terrain and hidden pits.
No trees removed
He said,
“As a responsible landowner, we have a duty of care to ensure site safety by protecting anyone walking through our land or working at the site.
“The intention for this clearance is to allow us to fully assess the lower part of our site.
“No trees have been removed and the woodland areas in our wider site have not been disturbed.”
The company did not wish to comment on the fact it cleared woodland without permission.
A wooden fence would be installed
It said once the work is completed a ‘suitable wooden fence’, in line with the local aesthetic, would be placed around the site to help identify the boundary and ‘protect woodland area’.
SGN said it is talking to the council regarding the work which has taken place but had nothing further to add to its statement.
SGN slammed for vandalising property
However, the other site landowner Rosalind Murray, who owns up to the Gurnard sign, has slammed the company for ‘vandalising her property’ which her family has owned for 36 years.
SGN has said it is in direct contact with Ms Murray about the work.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
