Row over clearance work at city cemeteries

A conservation group has raised concerns after trees and vegetation were cleared from two Nottingham burial grounds.

The city council said overgrowth at both the General Cemetery and Rock Cemetery had created safety risks and "prevented us from fulfilling our legal duties".

But volunteer-led environmental project Wild.NG said the clearance work carried out by the authority was too extensive and risked damaging important habitats.

Co-founder Trish Evans described the council's actions as "catastrophic ecological vandalism". However the authority insisted the work was needed to address "dangerous trees" and restore "safe public access".

Evans said the works included the removal of scrub and understory vegetation as well as the felling and removal of dead trees, which she claimed could support fungi and invertebrates.

"They're sites of rich biodiversity like no other in our city. They are spaces where nature can really thrive," she said.

Fellow co-founder Nick Humphreys said "huge areas" of brambles had also been cut back.

"These are just vital pieces of habitat for all sorts of species, from insects all the way up to birds, they're great nesting sites," he said.

He added the bramble patches were an important source of food and cover for mammals such as badgers.

The council confirmed contractors identified badger setts at General Cemetery and works were halted while the situation was assessed.

It added it recognised its legal responsibilities under the Protection of Badgers Act and will ensure the site is protected.

In a statement, the council said: "Over a number of years, large areas of both sites had become significantly overgrown, restricting access to graves and preventing required memorial safety inspections from taking place.

"In some cases, families and visitors were unable to safely reach burial plots, including war memorials.

"The works focused on reopening pathways, addressing dangerous trees and restoring safe public access so families can visit and pay their respects with dignity."

Evans said she recognised the need to manage the sites but questioned the scale of the work.

"These spaces can be managed perfectly in harmony with nature.

"Yes we want access to important gravestones and access for visitors. Of course we want it to be clean and safe, but we want it to be rich with life as well," she said.

The council said it will develop updated biodiversity surveys and site management plans "to ensure biodiversity conservation and safe public access are properly balanced in line with the council's strategy".

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