A 77-year-old retiree has expressed dismay after mature trees were abruptly cut down around a healthcare centre in Coxheath, Kent, during the middle of the no-tree and hedge-cutting season. Peter Colmer, of Bramley Gardens, described the removal as 'brutal and blatant,' noting that 10-metre trees were reduced to just two metres with no prior notice. The work took place despite restrictions designed to protect nesting wildlife from March 1 to August.
Tree Removal Sparks Outrage
Peter Colmer said the contractor had 'obliterated' the entire area, changing the character of the road. He stated: 'This decimation has completely changed the nature of the road far more than any effect from seeing innocuous solar panels.' The tree removal occurred after homeowners received a notice about plans to install solar panels on the roof of The Heathside Centre in Heath Road, Coxheath. However, a spokesperson for the Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust confirmed the tree work was not related to the solar panel installation but was carried out following advice about 'overhanging vegetation' impacting the 'public highway' and recommendations from an independent tree survey.
Concerns Over Nesting Birds and Safety
Colmer expressed frustration that the trees were cut during bird nesting season. He said: 'These large trees have been savaged right in the middle of bird nesting season and clearly nobody cares. I am surprised the contractor took on the job bearing in mind those restrictions.' He also noted that the fence previously supported by the trees is now at a 'jaunty angle' and could collapse in a gale. 'It looks like a war zone out there,' he added, also worrying about exposure to bright lights from the centre that are on 24/7.
Official Responses
A Kent County Council spokesperson confirmed the authority was not responsible for the work, stating: 'We are only responsible for the vegetation around the library, which has not been impacted by the works.' The Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust acknowledged community concerns, saying: 'The work at Heathside Centre was not related to the installation of solar panels. It was carried out following advice about overhanging vegetation affecting the public highway and recommendations from an independent tree survey. We are committed to maintaining a safe environment for patients, staff, visitors and the wider community, while continuing to balance this with our environmental responsibilities.'
Hedgerow Rules and Exemptions
According to government rules, hedgerows covered by management regulations must not be cut or trimmed from March 1 to August. The rules apply to hedgerows over 20 metres long with gaps of 20 metres or less, or shorter hedgerows that meet another at each end. Exemptions exist if the hedgerow overhangs a road or footpath with a public or private right of way, obstructs pedestrians, or poses a danger. The trust cited the overhanging vegetation as a factor, but Colmer remains unconvinced, calling the removal 'brutal.'
