PEOPLE have expressed shock and outrage as a JCB has torn through a green space home to wildlife.

Residents who live near Surrey Road in Seaford were horrified to see the vehicle tearing through the land and expressed concern that protected species that live around the area could be affected.

Sharon Simpson, who lives near to the site, said: "The land has been left to nature and has been thriving with lots of wildlife and birds, and then all of a sudden, the landowner has just decided to come and maintain it. That has meant ripping up everything with this big shredder machine."

"The council and the police don't seem to be that bothered about that fact, or have not been able to find it in their records," Sharon said.

She said that she and other residents are "really upset" by the destruction of the habitat, which Sharon said was home to badgers, foxes, herons and many other birds.

She said: "It feels like everyone has been banging their head against a brick wall because the work has continued and no-one has done anything to stop it."

A wildlife survey mentioned on the Seaford Neighbourhood Plan noted that slow worms, a protected species, had been found on the site, but police said no offences have been committed.

​John Rigden, the owner of the land, said: "All we're doing is clearing scrubland of brambles. There's no wildlife there at all - only two foxes, which are not protected.

"The reason we are clearing the brambles is to maintain our boundaries because it is a fire hazard.

"Police also called the RSPCA out and they confirmed that I am not doing anything wrong as well.

"We're not doing anything we shouldn't be doing - it's the same machine that you'd use if you were cutting a hedge on the side of the road."

He also claimed that some residents have tried to gain illegal access onto his land.

"I've also cleared at least five bags of rubbish which appears to have been thrown over the fence, and a lot of that is bags of dog poo.

"They all seem to think it's their park, but it's privately-owned land."

Lewes District Council said: "Soon after being contacted about the clearance work, we sent planning enforcement officers and our ecologist to the area to investigate.

"The land is in private ownership and, as such, the landowner is entitled to manage the area.

"However, if a landowner wilfully destroys habitat inhabited by protected species, the police will need to consider whether a wildlife crime has been committed under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

"We will provide Sussex Police with any support they ask for in regard to this matter."

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "After discussions with the district council, no offences were identified and no police intervention was required.

"We remain in contact with residents and our partner agencies and, should partners conduct any investigations into potential offences within their own remits, police will support where possible."

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