03 Nov 2024
Work to clear scrub from Bedmond Wildlife Meadow to facilitate an archaeological survey has decimated a large area of established woodland, it has been claimed.
The work is also said to have destroyed scores of saplings and young trees on the grassland part of the 12-acre meadow, which borders the whole of the western edge of the Verulam Estate.
At least half an acre of woodland now no longer exists, and in total, across the whole area of clearance probably more than 100 trees have gone. The decimated woodland comprised mainly established field maple, hawthorn and blackthorn trees which are ecologically valuable in providing food and protection for many animals, birds and insects.
Herts county council’s ecology advisory service have described this grassland as floristically rich and supporting sufficient indicator plants to meet wildlife status.
Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust also state: “This site remains one of the most ecologically valuable unimproved grassland, scrub mosaics in the St Albans area. It has been established that it is of Local Wildlife Site quality… it is unique in St Albans and of significant ecological value and importance.”
Bedmond Meadow is also the location of the locally and nationally rare lizard orchid which has legal protection – meaning it would be an offence to intentionally or recklessly destroy it.
But Cala Homes, owners of the meadow, have declared their aim is to build 78 houses on the site.
Campaigner Dr Robert Wareing, who has fought to save the meadow for years, said: “The phrase ‘a wanton act of destruction’ comes to mind! When work started earlier this week, on site I spoke to an ecologist from Ethos Environmental Planning, acting for Cala, and he reassured me that no trees were being felled. Regrettably, that now appears to have been a hollow promise. It is clearly important to remind Cala of their responsibilities given the unique site that they are seeking to develop; and that all aspects of how they progress are being looked at to ensure that correct processes are being adhered to.
“If Cala goes unchallenged, I fear just how far they will go. Certainly, this first piece of work does not appear to auger well for the future and has only served to reinforce the profound distrust which local people feel towards Cala.”
He added: “Under the Regulation 19 consultation into the draft Local PLan, I am raising the validity of the consultation carried out under Regulation 18, given the number of independent expert ecologists that have lined up over the years clearly stating that the meadow is a de facto wildlife meadow. A point not acknowledged in the Arup Green Belt Review whose reasoning for the meadow’s inclusion was both marginal and questionable.
“SADC’s imperative to deliver a Plan may be causing them to plough on regardless, without properly listening to views of residents (and councillors!) and independent experts. The last Plan failed, at least in part, because SADC failed to consult properly with neighbouring authorities.
“Failure to take account of this meadow’s wildlife status may well call into question the validity of the consultation process which could jeopardise the whole of this latest Plan.”
When the meadow was included in SADC’s draft Local Plan, Matt Dodds, planning and biodiversity manager for Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, said it made a mockery of any environmental credentials the council professes to promote.
He said: “The site itself is a species rich mosaic of habitats including species rich chalk grassland, species rich neutral grassland and scrub.
“It easily qualifies as a local wildlife site and the only reason that it is not designated as such is because the landowner permission required to designate the site has not been given.”
A spokesperson for Cala Homes said: “St Albans council is currently undergoing their Regulation 19 Consultation Period on the emerging Local Plan, within which our site on Bedmond Lane is a proposed allocation.
“We are aware of the ecological sensitivities of the site and take our responsibility to the environment and wildlife very seriously. The recent clearance works were to facilitate further surveys in support of the site’s draft allocation. An independent ecologist was present during the work, and we can reassure local residents that no trees or protected habitats were disturbed.
“Later this year, a non-intrusive archaeological investigation of the site will be undertaken. A full suite of ecology surveys will then take place from March 2025.”
