A LYDNEY resident claims his privacy has been comprimised after a section of hedge between his house and a new development was ripped out by workmen, despite a planning condition that it be retained.

Forest planning officers are investigating after a complaint was made about works at Holms Farm near the Templeway estate.

Outline permission was granted for the creation of 29 dwellings at the site in 2021.

Residents had previously objected to the scheme over vehicular access, traffic and privacy due to the site’s proximity to existing bungalows.

In 2020, it was noted that the resident’s bungalow in Temple Close was closer to the development than the council’s guideline of 21 metres.

A condition was imposed to secure the retention of a hedgerow and trees between the house and the site, in order to “safeguard living conditions”.

But the resident says on Wednesday, February 22, workman who were clearing the site ripped a large portion of the hedge out with a digger.

He said they would’ve taken the whole hedge out had he not been there to stop them, and that trees that should’ve been retained were also removed.

A spokesperson for the council said: “Forest of Dean District Council is aware of the matter regarding a planning dispute at Holms Farm, Lydney and the case is currently under investigation.

"As the investigation is ongoing, we will not be making any further comment at this time.”