A ROW has developed after a piece of land in Badsey was cleared and bonfires lit, with residents claiming wildlife ‘was disturbed and uprooted.’

However, the agent, on behalf of the landowner, has stressed no wildlife was disturbed and said she is “perfectly entitled to clear her land.”

A number of residents contacted the Evesham Journal after workmen were seen clearing the land, which is thought to be around three acres and backing onto the homes in Brewers Lane. Residents say the work, which was carried out on October 31, included cutting down trees and vegetation and burning this on bonfires.

Sarah McCall, a Brewers Lane resident, said: “We have lived here for four years and the land has been left for 20 years. It was very upsetting to see it flattened, with no consideration for the wildlife there. There are hedgehogs and foxes - were checks done for protected species?

“A number of residents complained about the bonfires and the amount of smoke and ash that was in the air. The main reason for wanting this stopped is the effect on the wildlife and we noticed a definite decline in bird activity over the weekend as our feeders were hardly being touched. One lady went to the end of her garden with a flashlight and had six pairs of eyes looking back at her - I can only guess they were a fox family. Very sad indeed. It is horrible how it has been left. A group of us are happy to buy the land from the landowner, and we would let it grow again to be the home for wildlife it has been.”

Badsey Parish Council town clerk Andrea Evans said they had not been notified about a planning application for the site, and a Wychavon District Council spokesman added their Environmental Health Officers had been to the site.

The Evesham Journal has been told the land is owned by Marion Jones, but attempts to contact her directly were unsuccessful.

An agent from Timothy Lea & Griffiths, Tony Rowland, would not confirm the land owners’ identity, but added: “The land owner has every right to clear her land and chose a local farmer to do the work. He has assured her no wildlife has been disturbed.” He added no planning application had been made.