HEDGEROWS in Sandbanks have been branded an "eyesore" after they were ‘cut back to stumps’. 

BCP Council has cut the hedges lining Banks Road as part of a regeneration project called ‘hard pruning’.

A debate has arisen between residents, some of whom believe the removal of the hedges will damage wildlife and have ‘destroyed the look of the area.’

Others argue the project is important to help the plants regenerate for the summer months.

The concern has sparked a conversation about whether the tamarisk hedge is the best plant for the area.

Caroline Papp, who lives in Ashley Cross, noticed the hedges had been cut down while on a beach walk with friends.

Caroline said: “It is an absolute eyesore; I don’t understand why they needed to be cut back quite so much.

“It is terrible, they need to consider the wildlife; birds nesting in the hedges will have nowhere to go.

“It is important to have greenery in our area.”

A nearby resident who asked to remain anonymous said: “It looks horrible, I don’t know why they didn’t trim them instead of hacking it down.”

BCP Council has received several complaints that the hedges were scratching cars and blocking views to the ground floor flats.

Sandbanks resident, Sandie Smith, said: “I think it is a great decision - the plants will be fresh and revigorated for the summer."

She added: “We can’t let things go to rack and ruin; we need to be proactive.”

Councillor Andy Hadley, portfolio holder for climate response, environment and energy said: “The tamarisk hedgerows on Banks Road have been coppiced.

“This is normal practice to improve the health of the plant, prevent tangled branches and promote dense heads of foliage.

“In this instance, the safety of pedestrians and road users in the area was also a significant factor in the decision to coppice, as we had received multiple reports of the hedge impacting on the line of sight of people using the crossing point outside the Sandbanks Hotel, and the public crossing from the beach to the Tesco Express.

“The plants had very thick woody growth and now this can be maintained each winter without any impact to the public, wildlife, or road users.

“Regrowth will appear in the spring when the plant starts to produce flower heads. These are good for bees, butterflies, and any other pollinators in that area. There is no impact on wildlife.”