A SWOOP to cut down a wild scrub area beloved by butterflies and full of flowers in summer has been condemned as ‘an unnecessary destruction of natural habitat’.

The contractors apparently employed by landowners the Maristow Estate were seen cutting down the wild area near the Leg O’ Mutton car park on Monday

Local councillor Susan Woollacott, giving her own personal views rather than those of Buckland Monachorum Parish Council, said she was ‘devastated’ to see what had been done, after being alerted by a concerned witness.

She contacted the estate, who said the work would continue on Tuesday in a push to tidy up the area, which they own.

She said: ‘Maristow Estate didn’t inform the parish council at all about what they were doing, because basically it is their land.

‘It is devastating, really, when you look at what they have done. They were doing the other side today, where the BMX bike park is.

‘I did ask Maristow what their policy is on the unnecessary destruction of the natural habitat. They replied that it is just brambles, but in fact butterflies lay their eggs on the underside of bramble leaves, the ecosystem under brambles is incredible. All they have left is the trees.

‘I’m very distressed. Maristow is normally a very efficient system, but I just feel they are living in the wrong century.’

She was alerted by wildlife lover Fi Smart, who was up from Plymouth visiting the area, one of her regular haunts. She was so concerned she took photos of the work being carried out and alerted Cllr Woollacott.

‘In the summer the area is a mass of rosebay willowherb and I have found elephant hawk moth caterpillars on it,’ she said.

‘We have to stop looking at these areas of undisturbed ground as being unsightly and value them as mini nature reserves providing desperately needed space for plants and animals.

‘These are essentially small self-wilded areas that are precious and they should not be disturbed unless it is part of a managed programme to help wildlife.

She added: ‘I understand that the land is owned by Maristow Estates and when I spoke to one of the people involved in cutting back all the vegetation he said that they were doing it because it was messy and it was going to be more like a lawn.

‘I do not know if what he said about the reason for the cutting down of vegetation and the future plans was correct. I haven’t contacted the estate office myself about what they have done this or what their plans are for the area. If it is left as it is now, the undergrowth will return but it will be bad news for nature if further changes are made.’

The Maristow Estate was contacted by the Times but not available for comment.