Protected woodland on the border of Cowes and Gurnard has been ‘absolutely obliterated’ without the consent of one of its owners.
Last week, trees and vegetation behind Princes’ Esplanade and Egypt Esplanade were torn down, causing uproar in the community.
Now, Cowes resident, Rosalind Murray, who owns the land on Egypt Esplanade up to the ‘Welcome to Gurnard sign’ has spoken of the damage done to her ground which adjoins that owned by Southern Gas Network (SGN).
Speaking of the devastation today (Monday), Ms Murray said she has had it confirmed by SGN they went well over the boundary and the company is apologetic for what happened.
The damage is already done however, she said, as they have vandalised her property and absolutely obliterated the site.
Ms Murray says she does not believe there is an issue with trespass, as had been claimed, because there was a public footpath running through her land, connecting the seafront to Battery Road.
She says the land is for everyone and she liked people using it.
The land has been in Ms Murray’s family for 36 years and during that time she and her father have protected the site and the species that live on it, to prevent any building.
She said no money in the world could compensate for what has happened and now the land is in more danger of a landslip.
The woodland has Tree Protection Orders and is a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation.
SGN is believed to have consented to work on its land. It has been contacted for comment.
The Isle of Wight Council is investigating the works, with local councillor Paul Fuller confirming the work did not have permission.
The council’s tree officer told Cllr Fuller, a SGN estate manager said the site was cleared due to trespassing and the need to make it safe.
Work has since stopped but speaking on Friday, Cllr Fuller said SGN should know the status of its land and permission was needed to do the work.
He said this demonstrated how irresponsible it was.
He was fully behind any enforcement action the council may take.
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