A rural crime officer was called to woodland, just off Dover’s Vale View Road, after digging began in the area – potentially destroying the habitats of many animals.

Vale View residents Paul and Glenys Jeff, who are both qualified social workers, were appalled to see the work going on and decided to intervene.

Mrs Jeff said: “On Monday (last week) a heavy duty digging vehicle was brought up the private road and proceeded to destroy large areas of dense vegetation, bushes and young trees.”

Mrs Jeff said this could have destroyed the habitat of many wild animals, including badgers, bats, foxes, birds, frogs, newts and bees.

Mrs Jeff and her daughter, Becky Meredith, made an attempt to stand in the way of the digger, but decided this was too dangerous.

She added: “I stood in front of the trees and bushes for a period of time in the morning and the driver continued to churn up the habitats.

“We want to stop further destruction of the wildlife environment, and will do everything in our power to stop further harm being caused.”

The police responded to this incident and said: “Kent Police was called at 1.48pm on July 14 to reports of concern for a plot of land in Vale View Road, Dover. A rural crime officer attended the scene and spoke to the land owner about some recent work to clear shrubbery and foliage.

“It was agreed the landowner would contact the local planning authority prior to any further work being carried out.”