News / Marvin Rees
Mayor blasts council’s own staff for lack of due care and attention
Just hours after a decision was taken by council officers to allow part of an ancient hedgerow to be removed, Marvin Rees has taken the extraordinary step of publicly lambasting staff at City Hall for making that decision.
The mayor has waded into the latest goings-on at Yew Tree Farm in Bedminster Down, the last working farm in Bristol.
As Bristol24/7 reported on Wednesday morning, Yew Tree Farm farmer Catherine Withers slammed the city council for their “incompetence” after the removal of a hedgerow was deemed to be allowable because the council did not respond in time.
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But soon after 1.30pm, a statement from the mayor’s office was emailed to Bristol24/7 with an excoriating response to council colleagues.
Catherine Withers in front of the ancient hedgerow on Yew Tree Farm – photo: Martin Booth
A spokesperson for Rees said: “We’re deeply disappointed that officers have taken decisions and actions in this case without any political input or oversight nor the due care and attention we expect.
“The mayor has instructed the planning service to ensure that the appropriate level of ecological due diligence is undertaken and that officers work with the landowner to mitigate the damage of any future action.
“The mayor’s office are conducting inquiries into how this situation has arisen to seek assurances that any issues with process or procedure are fixed immediately.”
The hedgerow is located next to the access road to Yew Tree Farm, just off Bridgwater Road – photo: Martin Booth
Main photo: Bristol City Council
Read next:
- Farmer blames council ‘incompetence’ for latest threat to livelihood
- Rees: ‘The buck stops with me in Bristol’
- ‘The council should not use its privileged position to get around its own obligations’
- Thousands sign petition asking council not to build on green spaces
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