Highcliffe woodland site clearance sparks council probe

AN INVESTIGATION has been launched by the council and Dorset Police over the clearance of land in a Highcliffe woodland.

Residents contacted BCP Council and councillors after an excavator was seen clearing an area at Jesmond Wood last week.

Brentland Ltd has submitted plans to build 17 houses with a new vehicular access on the site.

A local authority tree officer suggested that the applicant could peg out the site to check the impact the proposed properties would have on trees as this was a key issue in the planning application.

However, a BCP Council spokesperson said at no stage was it suggested that site clearance should take place to do the pegging.

“This has happened as the result of the actions by the developer and not at the council’s request,” the spokesperson said.