RESIDENTS have expressed their concern after hedgerows providing habitats for protected wildlife were cut down.

Numerous people campaigned against the removal of a hedgerow at the Beehive Business Park in Ulverston which provides habitats for a variety of birds.

The hedgerow was removed to make room for a new M&S Food Hall and Aldi to be built on the Beehive Site.

Ulverston resident Pat Appleton called the plans "very sad".

She said: “You have to wonder why the planning committee could not plant a new hedgerow before beginning the development.

“It seems very evident that profit comes first which has a damaging impact on wildlife.

“However, it’s good to know the developers are taking note of what people are saying and will be doing some landscaping in the future.”

Ulverston councillor Andrew Butcher, who sits on South Lakeland District Council, said the cutting of the hedgerow would have more benefits in the long-term.

He said: “The hedge had to be taken down for the expansion of the site.

“We didn’t remove any birds or eggs and in the long-term there will be more flora and fauna because of it.

“We did consider the fact that we had to lose a small section of habitat but gain even more in the future.

“This will mean a wider habitat for them all.”

A spokesman from Beehive developers Rawdon Property Group said: “As part of the development at the Beehive Business Park we will be planting new indigenous hedgerows around the site perimeter and within the site which will provide habitats for birds and wildlife in the future.”

Beehive Business Park should see the first phase completed as early as 2020.