A PETITION has been launched to save greenbelt land in Wrexham which is said to be being cleared illegally.
The land, off Bowers Road in Acrefair, is allegedly being cleared without planning permission - and local residents have launched a campaign to save it.
Over the last month about three acres of woodland has been "destroyed" - including protected trees and wildlife habitats during bird nesting season - using diggers.
And an online petition which has been launched calling on the Welsh Government to save the land currently has over 500 signatures.
A local resident, wishing to remain anonymous, told the Leader: "They're coming here on weekends with the machinery and just flattening the woodland - this is destroying greenbelt land and they're doing it without even having planning permission to do so.
"When local residents confront them, they get verbally abused - so much so that the police have had to be called on more than one occasion.
"They've cleared land to create a makeshift access road which is very dangerous - especially with the recent heavy rain. There's a major risk health and safety risk as well as the damage to greenbelt land.
"I understand it's a difficult time with Covid-19 to prosecute people for this, but Wrexham Council at the very least should have implemented measures blocking their access to the site."
Another site, just a matter of a hundred yards up the road at the former clayworks, was also cleared in September 2018 - again without planning permission.
Those responsible were ordered by Wrexham Council to replant the trees - something which is said not to have happened.
A Wrexham Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of concerns regarding tree damage and access issues in this area. We are taking all necessary action available to us.”
The petition is available to sign at https://www.change.org/p/welsh-government-save-bowers-road
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