ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners have criticised a developer for putting netting on a hedgerow near Caersws to stop birds nesting in it, before a scheme for the site is approved.

Residents raised their concerns with the Montgomeryshire branch of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales (CPRW) that netting had appeared on hedges at the entrance to a field where a new crematorium could soon be built.

But Miss A Barrett, from the company behind the plans, said the move is to prevent birds nesting on locations that couold be affected should permission be granted – and said it did not amount to pre-empting the outcome of the planning process.

Powys Crematorium Limited wants to build a crematorium at a 13.66 hectare site at Ael Y Bryn between Caersws and Aberhafesp.

A spokesman for the Montgomeryshire CPRW branch, said: “The netting is hazardous to wildlife.

“Since the application has not yet been granted, it is felt that this  unnecessary action is jumping the gun, and appears to predetermine a decision.

“Given that this is also in the Registered Historic Landscape of the Caersws basin the action would seem to be totally unwarranted.

“Furthermore, the area is a sanctuary for rare curlews, red kites and buzzards, often seen and heard in the fields.

“It is of concern that the fitting of the netting on the hedgerow would seem to indicate that the developer treats the local wild birds, such as chaffinch, robin, blue tits, coal tits, sparrow and blackbird, with total disregard and as an inconvenience to a development.”

No date has yet been confirmed for when the plans will be brought in front of Powys County Council’s planning committee.

But Miss Barrett said: “We have been advised that netting should be applied around the potential areas of access to the site, to prevent birds nesting in hedgerows that may need to be removed.

“In line with this approach and subject to planning permission, we have been working with Land-Studio UK to identify the best species for planting new hedgerows as part of the green burial design.”

Miss Barrett added that these would sourced from nearby nurseries.

The company had asked Montgomery Wildlife Trust for advice on the types of native windflowers that could be planted in the remembrance gardens and natural green burial ground.

Cllr Gareth Pugh (Conservative) is registered as the only company director for Powys Crematorium Limited on the Companies House website.

As a member of the council's planning committee, he will not be taking part in the process, which has been called in to be determined by councillors.

Although hedgerow netting is not a breach of planning regulations in Wales, this practice has been outlawed in England on many building sites.