Firms in charge of a 760-home development on the edge of Bridport have been blasted for making a “devastating” error which has seen an ancient hedgerow mistakenly knocked down.

The scheme, located at Vearse Farm just off West Road and to be known as Foundry Lea, has been controversial with locals for some time and gained planning permission in August.

But developers behind the project - Barratt Homes and Vistry Group – have been forced to publicly apologise after a “communication failure” led to the removal of an extended hedgerow - which they did not even own.

The vegetation was not located on proposed development land and was instead planted on land belonging to Sir Philip Colfox, who said in a statement he was “deeply saddened” by what had happened.

In a statement released today (Tuesday), the developers say they have “apologised directly” to Sir Philip for the mistake, adding that Dorset Council and Bridport Town Council have also been alerted.

The news has been met with concern from residents and local councillors, including Bridport town councillor Sarah Carney.

Cllr Carney said: “They said it was an accident and that they are sorry – but this is the first time they have broken soil since planning permission was granted and they do not even know what is their land. It does not bode well for the future.

“The loss of a decades old hedgerow is absolutely devastating and irreplaceable, and really quite upsetting.”

Leader of Bridport Town Council, Cllr Dave Rickard, said he was “deeply disappointed” to hear that the foliage had been wrongfully removed and would be seeking “further clarity” on the matter.

“The developers have accepted responsibility for what they advise was an internal failure. They have committed to an investigation to find out exactly what happened and how to avoid a repeat, and we agree that this is an absolute minimum level of action,” he added.

“The loss of mature trees and hedgerow on this scale, irreparably damages wildlife habitats and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for a long time, and it is unclear how this damage can be rectified. 

“We will be meeting with the developers to obtain further clarity on this, along with absolute reassurances for the future that our environment and our community will be fully respected as the development progresses.”

A spokesperson on behalf of Barratt Homes and Vistry Group said it will be ensuring “additional ecological and arboricultural enhancements” at the site as it aims to make it more wildlife-friendly.

“We are sorry for the unplanned removal of some of the hedging at our Foundry Lea development due to a breakdown in communications between the consortium, its environmental consultant, and the groundworks team.

“We will replace the removed elements as quickly as possible and aim to have this completed over the dormant season. 

“Both consortium partners take nature conservation extremely seriously and we will make changes to ensure this issue does not happen again.”

Sir Philip Colfox added: “I am deeply saddened by what has happened but most grateful to Barratt and Vistry for so quickly admitting the blunder and offering their fulsome apologies and promise to put everything right.

“I have always been concerned by the potential damage done to wildlife, nature, the trees and also to the screening of the land and the setting of the entrance to Bridport so I will be asking the developers to make full and proper reparations in a comprehensive way and we trust out of this we will see a lasting improvement to the wildlife in this part of the Symondsbury Parish.”