Sandy residents warned about woodland damage
Some residents of Sandy Water Park have been vandalising woodland on the edge of the lake to improve views from their homes.
Trees and shrubs on the northern side of the Carmarthenshire Council owned Millennium Coastal Park lake and environs attraction have been cut down and thrown into the water.
MCP manager Rory Dickinson said: “This has been happening for several years. One of the residents has been caught red-handed and spoken to.
“These are selfish and unwarranted acts that also endangers wildlife. They are being perpetrated by a few residents who have received letters informing them that their actions will no longer be tolerated.
“Twelve letters have been hand delivered to residents of homes nearest the damage.
“In the clear the vandalism has been carried out in an effort to improve the views from the rear of properties. The trees were there before the homes and helped screen the building of the homes and the backs of the properties from park users.
“Incredibly, as a result of this vandalism by a small number of the residents, my rangers have been accused of failing to tidy up the debris that is now polluting the lake by the residents themselves.
“On each occasion the vandalism has occurred I have received complaints. The most recent was from Llanelli’s MP Nia Griffith saying residents had complained to her about the wanton destruction of the trees and shrubs and the indiscriminate dumping of waste into the lake.
“My staff or other council workers have cleared the felled material – an extremely hazardous and costly operation when working on a sloping bank and in six feet of water.”
Mr Dickinson said the ongoing problem had now reached a point where the pruning and felling of any plants in Sandy Water Park or any other part of the Millennium Coastal Park, without consent, would not be tolerated. “Enforcement officers who can use covert measures to determine the culprits, have been informed of the problems. Anybody caught damaging or destroying any trees shrubs and plants will be prosecuted and charged with the removal of any felled material.
“The Park has not been created for just those few people who are lucky enough to live next to the lake but for all members of the public. The park attracts up to a million visitors a year.
“We will help where we can. If anyone who has a justified reason for having plants in the MCP trimmed or cut down they must contact a member of the MCP staff with their case. It will then give it proper consideration and if agreed my staff will then carry out the necessary work and dispose of any material in a safe manner.”
Llanelli area environment enforcement officer Paul Morris said the felling of trees and shrubbery and discarding them was not only vandalism but fly tipping,the maximum penalty for which is five years imprisonment and or a £50,000 fine.
Trees and shrubs on the northern side of the Carmarthenshire Council owned Millennium Coastal Park lake and environs attraction have been cut down and thrown into the water.
MCP manager Rory Dickinson said: “This has been happening for several years. One of the residents has been caught red-handed and spoken to.
“These are selfish and unwarranted acts that also endangers wildlife. They are being perpetrated by a few residents who have received letters informing them that their actions will no longer be tolerated.
“Twelve letters have been hand delivered to residents of homes nearest the damage.
“In the clear the vandalism has been carried out in an effort to improve the views from the rear of properties. The trees were there before the homes and helped screen the building of the homes and the backs of the properties from park users.
“Incredibly, as a result of this vandalism by a small number of the residents, my rangers have been accused of failing to tidy up the debris that is now polluting the lake by the residents themselves.
“On each occasion the vandalism has occurred I have received complaints. The most recent was from Llanelli’s MP Nia Griffith saying residents had complained to her about the wanton destruction of the trees and shrubs and the indiscriminate dumping of waste into the lake.
“My staff or other council workers have cleared the felled material – an extremely hazardous and costly operation when working on a sloping bank and in six feet of water.”
Mr Dickinson said the ongoing problem had now reached a point where the pruning and felling of any plants in Sandy Water Park or any other part of the Millennium Coastal Park, without consent, would not be tolerated. “Enforcement officers who can use covert measures to determine the culprits, have been informed of the problems. Anybody caught damaging or destroying any trees shrubs and plants will be prosecuted and charged with the removal of any felled material.
“The Park has not been created for just those few people who are lucky enough to live next to the lake but for all members of the public. The park attracts up to a million visitors a year.
“We will help where we can. If anyone who has a justified reason for having plants in the MCP trimmed or cut down they must contact a member of the MCP staff with their case. It will then give it proper consideration and if agreed my staff will then carry out the necessary work and dispose of any material in a safe manner.”
Llanelli area environment enforcement officer Paul Morris said the felling of trees and shrubbery and discarding them was not only vandalism but fly tipping,the maximum penalty for which is five years imprisonment and or a £50,000 fine.
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