A council has stepped in to investigate the demolition of an 'unofficial nature reserve' in Sandwich .

Outraged residents called on Dover District Council to take action yesterday after bulldozers turfed up in excess of 30 trees from land adjacent to Whitefriars Meadow.

The site, positioned along the Ropewalk, falls within the town's Conservation Area and was said to be full of wildlife such as nesting birds and foxes.

There was further anger that the machinery used had accessed the site via the Guildhall car park without the relevant permission.

Nearby resident Eileen Rogers said: "They came at 7am and started ripping out trees, shrubs with JCBs and bulldozers.

"Nobody knew about it, not even Dover council or Sandwich Town Council.

"It now looks like a war zone."

The area has been subject to unsuccessful housing proposals in the past but there are no live planning applications at current.

Cllr Paul Carter of Sandwich Town Council said: "The site was an unofficial nature reserve.

"A builder wants to put houses in there but residents and council don’t."

Dover council which sent officers to the site says no formal action is being contemplated but investigations are ongoing.

A spokesman for said: "Yesterday Dover DC reacted to concerns raised by the local community about extensive site clearance works taking place on land adjacent to Whitefriars Meadow in Sandwich.

"The site, which has been the subject of previous unsuccessful Planning Applications some years ago, lies within the Conservation Area and next to a Scheduled Monument and Listed wall, and there have been reports of wild life interest.

"In addition concerns were raised about heavy plant crossing a council owned car park.

"Dover DC dispatched enforcement, tree and other officers to the site to assess the situation and commenced liaison with other specialist agencies including the Police.

"At present no formal action is contemplated by Dover DC but investigations are still ongoing in liaison with statutory agencies."

A spokesman said: "Kent Police was called to a disturbance near Fellowship Walk, Sandwich at 9.50am on Tuesday 1 September 2020.

"An officer attended and liaised with partner agency Dover District Council following a report trees had been damaged.

"Enquiries are ongoing."

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