Residents demand reinstatement of "ripped out" Devon hedgebank in Northam

The removal of 24 metres of a picturesque Devon hedgebank in the so-called “green lung of Northam” has been described as “a travesty.”

The hedge at Bidna Lane was replaced by a 1.8 metre high grey plastic garden wall and gate with pillars at a property called River View.

It was installed last year without planning permission.

Seeking retrospective consent from Torridge District Council, applicant Ashley Clements proposed mitigation measures including building a small 0.6 metre hedge in front of it.

But the plan was refused after councillors called the wall and gate an “eyesore”.

Local resident Veronica Leat pleaded with the council to use its “considerable powers” to demand removal of the “huge and glaringly ugly” structure and reinstatement of the bank with wooden gates to the access.

She said the location is a traditional Devon lane, teaming with wild flowers and wildlife and is something to be treasured.

“This is not suburbia,” she said.

“It’s now marred with this horribly inappropriate and insensitive development. Many people walk down to the river from there, there are not many vehicles using it, we call it the green lung of Northam, a peaceful and green space.”

Fourteen people and Northam Parish Council submitted letters to Torridge Council opposing the application.

Another resident, Keith Goodrid, said despite the proposed mitigation measures, which included replacing grey cladding with natural timber and tree planting, there would still be 10 metres of the wall, including the gate, completely exposed.

In addition to the bank that has been “ripped out,” he said another 23 metres had been stripped of vegetation.

He claimed building a tiny replacement hedgebank so close to the wall on a concrete passing bay was “a poor attempt” at hiding the structure and was likely to fail as growth would be inhibited as it would be in shade much of the time.

“It will look totally out of place with the hedge banks around it,” he said. 

“The only sensible solution to re-establish the character of this part of lane will be to demolish the wall and replace it with a full size Devon hedgebank and a gate sympathetic to this location.”

Planning officers had recommended approval of the development with the mitigation measures proposed, which would result in a 32 per cent increase in hedgerow across the site from what now existed.

The benefits of the proposal, although slight, outweigh long-term harm, they said.

But Cllr Chris Leather (Ind, Northam) said this was “an open and shut case” and asked the committee to refuse it.

“It’s a travesty what’s happened in Bidna Lane. That fence, concrete apron in front and the gate is an eyesore.

Cllr Whittaker (Con, Northam) said no one should ever be allowed to rip out a Devon hedgerow and erect a large and rather ugly gate: “We should cherish our countryside as it’s vanishing.”

The councillors rejected their officers’ advice and turned the application down.