PLANS to raze 54 metres of hedgerow at Glenmore Farm in Westbury have been refused by Wiltshire Council.

The council's planners objected to the application by Equestrian Blueprint of Corsham on behalf of Mr and Mrs Pike, of The Ham.

Refusing the application, the council said: "The hedgerow is considered to be of significant wildlife value as well as a visual amenity

to the local area.

"No ecological assessment has been carried out or submitted by the applicant in support of the application."

Heywood Parish Council had also objected to the scheme after voicing concerns over the impact the hedgerow's removal would have on the wildlife living in it.

The parish council said the applicants had given no explanation for why they wished to remove the hedgerow or what would replace it.

Rachel Stroud, of Warminster Road, Westbury, had accused the council of failing to allow comment on the plans following technical problems with its website.

Ms Stroud said: “The application plans had been denied to the public since the application went in.

“The site is now allowing access but the closing date for comments was February 19."