Brighton councillors 'were not aware of plans' to slash green wall

Amy Heley says neither she, nor any other elected representative in her party, were made aware of officers’ plans to partially cut down the wildlife reserve.

The council said this work was during planning for a “possible” cycle lane at Dukes Mound and “was agreed as part of our wider plans for redeveloping the Black Rock site”.

READ MORE: Brighton wildlife reserve cut down for ‘possible’ cycle lane

The authority now claims the clearing was also done to help pedestrians crossing the road - something not mentioned in its original statement.

When asked to respond to the incident, Councillor Heley, the Green chairwoman of the environment, transport and sustainability committee, said: “Neither myself nor any councillors were made aware of the plans to make any changes to the green wall this week.

“I have sought immediate reassurance about the actions that are being taken to ensure growth is restored as we understand fully the shock over how it looks now.

“I have instructed council officers working on this project to provide a detailed update.”

The living wall in Madeira Drive was planted by the Victorians and stretches across the listed terraces on Brighton seafront.

About eight Japanese spindle plants, planted in 1872, and a large fig tree were cut down, leaving the wall exposed for the first time in about 150 years.

Building Green, which helps look after the living wall, previously told The Argus they were “shocked” to discover the 150-year-old Japanese Spindle plants had been slashed without any consultation.

The organisation said the council was commissioning a report into what happened. It added the incident was a “miscommunication” relating to the creation of a new cycleway in the road.

Conservative councillor Robert Nemeth said: “It is concerning to hear that Green councillors have taken their eyes off the ball when it comes to managing this huge project, which is quite clearly overwhelming the council.

Councillor Robert Nemeth

"Pushing through such big changes so quickly has inevitably led to unintended consequences - in this instance, chopping down a key part of the local natural environment.”

The area is classified as a Local Wildlife Site meaning it was identified and selected locally using scientifically-determined criteria and surveys.

Such areas form “key components of ecological networks”.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds said: “We cannot keep trying to squeeze nature into smaller and smaller spaces or demand that wildlife fits in with our plans.

“Across the UK wildlife is vanishing at an alarming rate, and our planning system must play a vital role in not just reversing this decline but helping nature to recover.

“If the works are deemed unavoidable, for example on public health and safety grounds, we would want to see the lost habitat replaced, with new trees and hedgerows planted elsewhere nearby."  

The council has still not provided proof the wall was considered as a Local Wildlife Site while making the decision to carry out the work.

It did not confirm who made the decision to remove the Victorian plants or explain the "miscommunication" referenced by Building Green.

READ MORE: Brighton wildlife reserve cut down for ‘possible’ cycle lane

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said: "We recognise that we should have engaged with Building Green when it became clear that this vegetation needed to be cleared. Officers will now be meeting with them to apologise and consider further engagement in future.

“The cutting back of vegetation this week was not raised with councillors in the administration. It was progressed by officers as part of the planning works.

“However, councillors have asked for further information over actions that will be taken to restore growth."

The spokesman said the work was agreed as part of its wider plans for redeveloping the Black Rock, which had an "ecological management plan" in place.

The council has also been asked to provide a copy of a road safety audit in support of the decision.

The spokesman added: “A cycle lane to assist cyclists going up Dukes Mound was included in the planning consent for the Black Rock scheme. During detailed planning and design work for the transport improvements a road safety audit identified the need to cut back the overhanging vegetation for important safety reasons.

“These were to ensure a clear line of sight for pedestrians crossing Dukes Mound, as well as to ensure safety and visibility for cyclists using the new cycle lane. The pedestrian crossing issue would have required the cutting back of the vegetation, irrespective of the inclusion of a cycle lane."