RESIDENTS were shocked when an area of land was cleared without warning, prompting fears that birds and animals have been driven away.

The land, near Poole Quay, adjoins the Quay Thistle Hotel, but had been left overgrown for many years, according to neighbours.

One resident, Mary Letherbarrow, said she had first heard cutting going on Friday June 7, but did not take any notice.

“On Monday, it started again. Three of us walked over there and spoke to the gardeners, who were very polite. We asked how far they were going and they said ‘We think we’ve got to take the lot out’.

“The manager wasn’t approachable. We asked if they could compromise by leaving some vegetation around the edges. He told me that the police had advised him to trim it but he’d decided to take the lot down.”

She added: “It now looks like something out of World War Two. A lot of people are totally dismayed – they opened their windows to hear birdsong. We have lived here for seven years and it’s been wild all that time. Some of the birds are still fledging.”

Poole Town ward Cllr Chris Wilson said: “I advised the manager to tell the workforce to stop if they found nests or eggs. It needed to be cut back but not totally devastated. We need to preserve our wildlife, not destroy it.”

Thistle Hotels spokesman Chris King said: “Following discussions with the police, we established that the land was being used for drug taking, prostitution and general dumping.

“Given the seriousness of the on-going criminality, we felt we had a duty to clear the land, making it safer for residents, visitors and the wider community. “We take our responsibilities to the community very seriously. Our hotel is part of the community. We would be delighted to discuss next steps with councillors, residents and the wider community.”

Andy Dearing, planning enforcement manager for Borough of Poole, said: “Officers from the council have investigated and found no evidence of damaged nests or setts. “Colleagues from environmental and consumer protection services are working with the owner to discuss some sympathetic replanting.”