“Ancient hedgerows” under threat in Denbigh

Environmental campaigners fear ‘ancient hedgerows’ could be lost due to plans for more than 100 homes in Denbigh. 

Castle Green Homes, formerly Macbryde, based in St Asaph, wants to develop land next to Ysgol Pendref. 

The developer has put in an application for 110 units, ranging from one-bedroom apartments to four-bedroom detached homes, including 22 affordable dwellings. 

The development is expected to come before Denbighshire County Council’s planning committee next month.
But a group of residents and environmental campaigners fear the development could mean ancient hedgerows could be lost. The group says hedgerow in the area has already been damaged. 

Heidi Ridder Jones, 43, said she feared for the local environment. 

“We know for a fact it is grade-three A land, so it is considered the best and most versatile land for growing crops, and according to planning policy Wales, it should not be built on, unless there are extreme, extenuating circumstances,” she said. 
“We have ancient hedgerows. Some have been removed. They started removing them yesterday. We know for a fact the hedgerow is at least 150 years old. My mum went to work yesterday and came back to find a digger, and they (the workmen) said they were taking down the hedgerows.  
“It is ancient hedgerow and also forms part of the old parish boundary of Denbigh, and it contains birds that are on the British red list for endangered species. All three things give the hedges protected status. There are hundreds of birds living there, house sparrows, starlings, and we have red kite that hunt above the field. We have barn owls, which roost in the trees opposite.” 

She added: “Now we know that there is, either being built or given planning permission, 600 houses coming to Denbigh alone, so if this housing estate gets planning permission, it pushes it up to over 700 houses. Traffic can’t cope in one small town.” 

Castle Green Home’s chief executive Gwyn Jones said: “We always act in accordance with the law. We have worked with Denbighshire council throughout the process and have cut back one small section to allow access into the site. We are not removing the whole hedgerow.” 

A spokesperson for Denbighshire County Council said: “We have been informed of the situation and have made enquires. No breach of planning rules has occurred. We will continue to monitor the situation and remain in contact with the landowners.”

By Richard Evans – Local Democracy Reporter