A HOUSEBUILDING firm who have admitted mistakenly chopping down a huge stretch of hedgerow have opened up a burglar’s paradise, according to a frustrated local resident.

In February 2023, Barnsley Council’s planning board approved plans for a total of 113 homes to be built south of Hay Green Lane in Birdwell.

At the time, a total of 31 residents objected to the plans, citing concerns around a loss of privacy, impact on the existing hedgerows and an increase in traffic in the area.

The council approved the application subject to a number of conditions.

Avant Homes have since been building on the site but 74-year-old Kevin Kent, who has lived in the area for 20 years, says it has been a nightmare.

And that ‘nightmare’ was compounded last week when after returning from a hospital appointment, he saw that the hedgerow protecting his privacy had been completely chopped down - but it wasn’t in the plans.

The housebuilding company have admitted the mistake but Kevin says residents are understandably frustrated.

He told the Chronicle: “It’s really bad.

“They’ve taken all of our privacy away.

“The hedgerow has been up for a long, long time and it gave us that privacy in our back gardens.

“But this is really frustrating.

“What annoyed me more than anything is that it was gone in just a few hours.”

He says he’s already concerned about burglars in the area, especially with the dark nights drawing in - but the recent developments have made it even more of an issue.

“It’s now a burglar’s paradise,” he added.

“Residents have had a lot to put up with since the development started and this had just made it worse.

“People can see directly into our gardens now.

“It’s definitely worrying.”

Avant Homes have confirmed they are speaking with Barnsley Council regarding the next steps.

A spokesperson said: “As part of the planning application for our development in Birdwell, we were granted permission to remove a section of the hedgerow located adjacent to Hay Green Lane.

“This was to enable the construction of a new turning head for cars in the road layout.

“We are aware that additional sections of the hedgerow have been removed in error by our contractor.

“We are therefore in the process of discussing the issue with the council prior to implementing a replacement planting scheme.”

But Kevin doesn’t think they’ll be able to do anything to resolve the situation.

He added: “I understand they’re currently in consultation with the council.

“But even if they planted the seeds now it would take years for it to grow back.

“There’s nothing that they can do.”