PLANS to grub up a hedge that could be hundreds of years old to make way for more sports pitches in Petersfield have caused anger among residents concerned about the environment.

The hedge is on the Penns Place playing fields, owned by Petersfield Town Council, who says it wants to rip it out to “redevelop and increase the sports facility.”

The application is with South Downs National Park planners, and the proposal is part of a wider plan to provide more sports pitches, and turn the area into a ‘sports hub’ for the town.

But environmentalists in the town are up in arms over the proposal to clear the 328 meter long mature hedge.

James Howlett of Town lane in Sheet said: “I find it distressing that the ecological impact has not been considered, especially as it’s close to Tilmore Brook.

“With the constant pressure to develop land in Sheet and Petersfield and the resulting loss of green space I find this application both short sighted and wrong.”

Anne Holloway, also of Petersfield, said: “This hedge is an important wildlife corridor, next to Rotherlands Conservation Area off Pulens Lane, and is protected under the Hedgerows Act.

“It appears on the 1888 map of Petersfield and should be retained.”

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust has also voiced concerns about the hedge removal proposal.

In a letter to planners the trust’s strategy lead for planning and development Trevor Codlin said the ecological impact hadn’t been taken into consideration and the trust was opposed to the idea.

He added: “Policies in the East Hampshire District Council Joint Core Strategy include one that requires that the special characteristics of the local natural environment will be conserved and enhanced.

“It says “new development will be required to protect and enhance natutal and historic features which contribute to the distinctive character of the district’s landscapes such trees, woodlands, and hedgerows.””

“This application seeks to remove 328m of hedge, thereby destroying supporting habitat for associated species and resulting in a net loss in biodiversity which is contrary to both national and local planning policy.

“Therefore we object to the proposal.”

The proposal can be viewed on the South Downs planning website, reference SDNP/16/05694/HEDG.