12/06/2026
If you have been to the Industrial Estate you may have noticed the wildlife along the roads - many have admired and complimented the natural hedge and Red Robin that is next to Unit 1 - this has been kept neat and tidy and over the seasons offered an attractive natural boundary that also gave shelter to wildlife - it’s likely now to be home to nests and other animals including moles appear to be residing.
Whilst the road is not busy often proven by cats sitting in the road admiring the scenery we have over many years had to manage complaints from the occupants of Unit 2 who have had many issues with day to day activities on the estate. One of these many complaints have been that the hedge obscures vision and therefore presents danger to those exiting the estate. They appear to be in the minority as others had not had any concerns but when they have escalated this to Highways and HDC this had led to many members of staff being involved to investigate and eventually decide that they request the hedge is removed, the local councillors have been unable to intervene. It’s a shame when the hedge was planted with the support of the Parish to make it more attractive and considered to be on Unit 1 land. Highways are disputing this and it’s not possible discuss this or find some common ground to save the hedge for the village. We are concerned that there may be criticism levelled at us for its removal, please understand we tried to save it and have raised the concerns regards nesting, the look whilst entering the village and our security. If you have issues please direct to your Parish or District Council or Highways. We don’t want to name people as they doing their jobs and maybe feel it would be better left alone. We live in a world where people worry about the noise people can make and they want to keep their job and not take perceived risks.
Anyway we have been told the hedge should be removed by the 19th or face consequences. Despite mention of the low height and the benefits and ongoing challenge as to who owns the land, this threat of what will happen if it’s not removed. We don’t wish having cared for it for years to see it wasted so have taken this decision.
The Red Robin is going to some good causes including a care home, some of it can go to other places in the village. The wild hedge areas we have decided to donate to the PC and Village so if the PC don’t have a home it can move to quickly it is also available to others in the village - if you want to come and reserve part of it and dig it up, we want it to go to good homes. We have been advised by Highways to take care when removing due to nesting but we are unsure how this would work as we are told legally it should not be removed in nesting season - so we are asking HW for clarification so that does not become another unnecessary issue to manage.
Let us know by popping in or email [email protected] or pop a note through the letter box
We are sending a final email to Highways on Monday and hopefully will get support from a District Councillor - we are planning to ask who will pay to reinstate it later if they acknowledge an error and also cover the nesting question.
Apologies for anyone upset by this but it’s beyond our control. It’s not a ‘save our hedge campaign’ just a bit crazy.
Let us know so it can live on elsewhere ideally in Gransdens. When we do our annual Gransden Motor Show the edge of the road may look unkempt but may provide some extra parking areas
Thanks and sorry as not what we wanted but the people in Unit 2 no doubt will be pleased
Anyway it’s a first world problem - Cheers
If you have been to the Industrial Estate you may have noticed the wildlife along the roads - many have admired and complimented the natural hedge and Red Robin that is next to Unit 1 - this has been kept neat and tidy and over the seasons offered an attractive natural boundary that also gave shelter to wildlife - it’s likely now to be home to nests and other animals including moles appear to be residing.
Whilst the road is not busy often proven by cats sitting in the road admiring the scenery we have over many years had to manage complaints from the occupants of Unit 2 who have had many issues with day to day activities on the estate. One of these many complaints have been that the hedge obscures vision and therefore presents danger to those exiting the estate. They appear to be in the minority as others had not had any concerns but when they have escalated this to Highways and HDC this had led to many members of staff being involved to investigate and eventually decide that they request the hedge is removed, the local councillors have been unable to intervene. It’s a shame when the hedge was planted with the support of the Parish to make it more attractive and considered to be on Unit 1 land. Highways are disputing this and it’s not possible discuss this or find some common ground to save the hedge for the village. We are concerned that there may be criticism levelled at us for its removal, please understand we tried to save it and have raised the concerns regards nesting, the look whilst entering the village and our security. If you have issues please direct to your Parish or District Councild or Highways. We don’t want to name people as they doing their jobs and maybe feel it would be better left alone. We live in a world where people worry about the noise people can make and they want to keep their job and not take perceived risks.
Anyway we have been told the hedge should be removed by the 19th or face consequences. Despite mention of the low height and the benefits and ongoing challenge as to who owns the land, this threat of what will happen if it’s not removed. We don’t wish having cared for it for years to see it wasted so have taken this decision. The Red Robin is going to some good causes including a care home, some of it can go to other places in the village. The wild hedge areas we have decided to donate to the PC and Village so if the PC don’t have a home it can move to quickly it is also available to others in the village if you want to come and reserve part of it and dig it up, we want it to go to good homes. We have been advised by Highways to take care when removing due to nesting but we are unsure how this would work as we are told legally it should not be removed in nesting season - so we are asking HW for clarification so that does not become another unnecessary issue to manage.
Let us know by popping in or email [email protected] or pop a note through the letter box
We are sending a final email to Highways on Monday and hopefully will get support from a District Councillor - we are planning to ask who will pay to reinstate it later if they acknowledge an error and also cover the nesting question.
Apologies for anyway upset by this but it’s beyond our control and suspect others who think it’s a bit crazy can’t stop it
Let us know so it can live on elsewhere ideally in Gransdens. When we do our annual Gransden Motor Show the edge of the road may look unkempt but may provide some extra parking areas
Thanks and sorry as not what we wanted but the people in Unit 2 no doubt will be pleased
Anyway it’s a first world problem - Cheers
Please note this post is to advise the reason for removal - all we wanted was for the boundary to look good and disguise the ugly containers and achieve some security - we don’t wish anyone to be cross or upset about people doing their job or anyone who had a valid concern about visibility or any realistic risk - but once removed if cars park there visibility may be worse - please post nicely as we don’t wish to make a bad situation worse
