Carlton Miniott, Thirsk: residents left devastated by destruction of thriving natural habitat - what now?
There are serious questions to answer on behalf of Avant Homes after a treasured wildlife habitat, once described by local residents as a wildlife sanctuary, was razed to the ground by clearance operatives on a site that has been earmarked for 61 homes to be built by the developer.
The land in question is owned by Guisborough-based CJ Leonard & Sons Limited, who did not respond to requests for an explanation as to why the site near Ripon Way in Carlton Miniott, Thirsk, was cleared without warning last week, despite the fears of those who live nearby being well documented.
It is not good enough for Avant Homes to lazily distance itself from the destruction of this thriving habitat. It was abuzz with birds, insects, mammals, plants and trees. Now it is nothing but bleak emptiness. The developer plans to put three-score houses on the land; the landowner has not cleared the space on a whim.
There were more than 450 signatures in opposition to this plan. The community wanted this space protected. A further 150 objections have been submitted to North Yorkshire Council.
This is a planning development that has been at loggerheads with local people for some six years. It is little wonder that as the battle has become protracted, this clearance of a much-loved natural asset comes as villagers were on the cusp of bringing about a fully-fledged ecological survey.
This newspaper’s loyalty to the Sheffield Trees campaign is well-documented: it is prepared, also, to focus its ability to apply forensic journalistic scrutiny upon Carlton Miniott.
When a half-century-old habitat that is home to deer, owls, fledgling oaks and more, is bludgeoned at the altar of profits, The Yorkshire Post will be spurred into paying more attention than some might appreciate. The gloves are off.