News / Yew Tree Farm
Avon Wildlife Trust ‘deeply shocked, angry and upset’ at Yew Tree Farm damage
The charity that protects and connects wildlife sites across the Bristol area has said that they are “deeply shocked, angry and upset at the recent news coming out of Yew Tree Farm”.
Less than 24 hours after Avon Wildlife Trust called for any clearance work to be paused at the farm in Bedminster Down until further dormice surveys could be carried out, contractors came to the farm to cut back and remove sections of an ancient hedgerow, removing some sections and damaging species-rich grassland close to where the dormice had been recorded.
“Piece by piece, (dormice) habitat is slowly removed, degraded, fragmented and removed,” George Cook of Avon Wildlife Trust wrote in a blog. “The species and habitats that we all love and try to protect are being destroyed in front of our eyes.”
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The blog added: “Yew Tree Farm is a designated Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI). These sites should be among the places where wildlife is most protected.
“Where the quality of habitat is high, with enough food and shelter and legal protection to ensure creatures are safe.
“This hedgerow at Yew Tree Farm was designated, it was home to legally protected dormice, had been promised to be protected by local councillors.
“Last year, this hedge was even the site of the discovery of a potentially new species of grass fly unknown to science.
“And yet it still wasn’t enough. If this hedgerow wasn’t safe, what hope is there for any hedgerow anywhere?”
Avon Wildlife Trust’s blog added: “It has been reported those responsible are working with the council to help manage other land within the nearby Colliters Brook SNCI.
“We urge the council to investigate this incident to ensure any further damage to SNCIs at the farm, or elsewhere, does not continue…
“In September 2023, Avon Wildlife Trust first objected to Bristol City Council’s plans to expand South Bristol Cemetery & Crematorium into Yew Tree Farm, the last working farm in the Bristol boundary and Site of Nature Conservation Interest.
“We asked the council to live up to their ecological emergency declaration and their commitment to ‘put nature at the heart of decision-making’ and protect this vital habitat in the city.
“When the council voted to go ahead with the crematorium expansion we said: ‘If we cannot protect this SNCI then what is stopping development on others across the city? It’s a slippery slope and there isn’t much slope left.’
“We continue to ask the council to take their ecological emergency seriously and to do more to protect nature and wildlife, especially on those sites that hold a clear designation like SNCI.
“It is heartening to see the community and local people come together to support the farm and its wildlife.
“People do care and there are plenty of wildlife champions out there who will stand up to defend nature. We want to say thank you.”
Yew Tree Farm’s Catherine Withers has called what has happened a “horrific ecocide” – photo: Danica Priest
Avon Wildlife Trust’s blog also pointed their members to a petition “calling to stop the destruction” of Yew Tree Farm which has now been signed by almost 4,000 people.
The petition started by environmental campaigner and Green Party candidate for Filwood ward, Danica Priest, says that “the desecration witnessed is an affront to nature”.
“Join us in demanding an immediate stop to the wanton destruction of Yew Tree Farm before more irreparable harm befalls this natural treasure.”
Among the actions that the petition calls for are for Redrow and Barratt to end their option on Yew Tree Farm; for Bristol City Council to halt all work on the crematorium expansion until full ecological surveys are carried out; and for Newcombe Estates to remove the new gate and new wire fence, and replant the hedgerow.
Find the petition at www.change.org/p/stop-the-destruction-of-yew-tree-farm
Main photo: Mia Vines Booth
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