CONTRACTORS have been condemned for tearing up a piece of land that is a haven for wildlife.

Residents say they were horrified when a JCB earth-mover uprooted mature trees, ploughed through shrubs and flattened undergrowth that is a home to birds, rare butterflies and moths.

The site, next to Campbells Garage, off Kingsdown Road, Kingsdown, near Deal, was given to the borough council as a gift more than 50 years ago and is subject to a covenant that maintains it as open land.

It has since been designated a Site of Nature Conservation Interest following a survey by Kent Wildlife Trust and the county council.

Nigel Blundell, from Wellington Parade, said a team from Oatmor-Harris contractors arrived on the site to lay a drain for a house that is being renovated nearby.

“Instead of cutting a narrow trench through the land the JCB flattened it, despite pleas by neighbours. I pointed out that the land was a haven for wildlife but the driver said they had authority to clear it.

“Trees that had struggled to reach maturity were ripped up in moments.”

Denis Atherton, who holds the covenant for the land, could not believe it when he saw the JCB on the land. He said: "I was horrified when I saw the damage it was doing. It was demolishing everything in its path.”

Mr Atherton alerted the district council, which sent someone to the site and the contractors were told to stop work and leave.

A council spokesman said: “We asked private contractors to stop working on land in Kingsdown Road as we have no record of permission being given for them to do this.

“The granting of an easement to use the land will be considered as and when an appropriate application is made. We will also be looking into requiring sympathetic restoration of the area of land.”

The East Kent Mercury contacted Oatmor-Harris Excavations in Deal but the company did not wish to make any comment.