Councillor hits out at removal of hedgerows

DEVELOPER IS ACCUSED OF 'ENVIROMENTAL VANDALISM'

- By STUART ARNOLD Local democracy reporter

A HOUSEBUILDER has been accused of “environmental vandalism” in its efforts to clear the way for a controversial new development.

Taylor Wimpey won an appeal in November last year over plans for 114 new homes in an extension of the existing Silverdale Gardens development at Cat Flatt Lane between Redcar and Marske.

The plans had been turned down, but the firm succeeded in an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate with Redcar and Cleveland Council declining to defend the previous decision by councillors after being advised it was likely to lose and be hit with a large legal bill as a consequence.

Taylor Wimpey said it had removed a total of 310 metres of hedgerow in line with its planning permission, but local councillor Dr Tristan Learoyd claimed more than a mile’s worth of greenery had been cut down.

An existing property on Rowan Garth secured by Taylor Wimpey to create access to the construction site is being demolished and fencing has gone up around the perimeter.