News / Yew Tree Farm
‘Wanton vindictive destruction’ at Yew Tree Farm
There has been a furious reaction across Bristol after an ancient hedgerow at our city’s last working farm was cut by contractors.
The hedgerow was trimmed just hours after Avon Wildlife Trust had made a dramatic intervention in the longrunning saga of Yew Tree Farm, saying that no more clearance should take place as it would destroy the habitat of rare dormice which have been found on the land in Bedminster Down.
For some people, however, the cutting is a form of coppicing and perfectly acceptable to carry out, despite entire sections of the hedgerow being removed within a designated Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI).
is needed now More than ever
Environmental campaigner Danica Priest first drew attention to the most recent activity at Yew Tree Farm on Tuesday, posting photos on X / Twitter of work that had started on drainage infrastructure, claiming that it was being done without planning permission.
Cabinet member Ellie King replied saying that Priest was “spreading fear and misinformation”.
King added: “The only work that is permitted ahead of the LEMP (landscape & ecological management plan) is some soil sampling and scrub management ahead of bird nesting season. This is necessary as the scrub has been allowed to encroach upon the grassland.”
On Thursday, Priest – who is standing to be a Green Party councillor in Filwood in May’s local elections – filmed as the hedgerow was cut while the public footpath remained open.
Yew Tree Farm’s Catherine Withers told Bristol24/7 that she was “absolutely devastated yet again”.
She said: “The wanton vindictive destruction of precious protected habitat sickens me to my core.
“The people who did this have been reported to the police as we believe a wildlife crime has taken place.
“We told those doing the damage that the meadow has protected dormice on site. They ignored us.
“The police did attend earlier in the day as they were intimidating us and damaging our property. We have now informed the wildlife officers.
“These are the same people who Ellie King has allowed to tenant the land after the crematorium expansion.
“I am calling on the Labour administration to immediately remove any partnership with those responsible for this horrific ecoside.”
Yew Tree Farm’s Catherine Withers has called what has happened a “horrific ecocide” – photo: Danica Priest
In November 2023, the neighbouring South Bristol Cemetery & Crematorium was granted permission to expand onto land previously used by the farm.
Councillors voted in favour of the application to create new burial and memorial plots on a wildlife-rich meadow used for grazing.
Withers’ family has farmed the land for 57 years but she remains unsure if Yew Tree Farm can remain sustainable if more of the farmland is encroached upon.
The scene at Yew Tree Farm off Bridgwater Road on Thursday morning – photo: Yew Tree Farm
Priest tweeted: “This was once a beautiful wildlife habitat full of life and protected species. Now I’m watching it being demolished brutally while my government sits back and does nothing. I’m in tears. I don’t know what to do anymore.”
Bristol Tree Forum secretary, Vassili Papastavrou, said: “The head of ‘planning’ will say that the biodiversity loss can be offset somewhere else. That is what has been said by her before. It is an endless merry-go-round for developers.”
Green Party councillor Ani Stafford-Townsend addeed: “This is outrageous wanton vindictive damage.”
Bristol City Council has been asked for comment.
Main photo: Danica Priest
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