DEVELOPERS who lit a huge bonfire as part of a land clearance project to make way for a housing development in future have been blasted by an animal rescue volunteer who fears nesting wildlife could have been killed.
Emergency services were called yesterday afternoon after a bonfire was lit on land just off Littlemoor Road, Weymouth.
READ MORE: Developer reveals reason behind huge bonfire just off Littlemoor Road
Sacha Phillips, who volunteers for rescue group Animals in Need, said the bonfire pile would 'likely' have had small animals burrow into it, including rabbits and hedgehogs, before being lit.
She said: "It's likely wildlife would have burrowed into the piles of branches, bushes and undergrowth. It's ideal for small animals to nest.
"It doesn't matter how big or small an animal is.
"I'm part of a group that protects animals across the area. The developers are supposed to stack the mound elsewhere and move it to another site, where it is burned immediately.
"The mound has been there for at least a week.
"If there were animals nesting in the bonfire, they would have been burnt, left suffering and smouldering.
"I understand the workers have a job to do, but animal welfare needs to be a priority."
The site in question is to the north of Littlemoor Road and to the west of Goulds Garden Centre.
Weymouth-based DJ Property purchased the site for development in late 2020, as it is adjacent to the Weymouth Urban Extension, a large proposed mixed-use development, that has planning consent.
The land is also included in the Local Plan for mixed use development and will be developed in the near future - part of a large, future growth project for Weymouth.
READ MORE: Plans for 500-home development north of Littlemoor approved
A spokesman from DJ Property said: "Regarding wildlife, the site was stripped for future development, and the hedgerows maintained at the correct time of year, so as not to have any detrimental effect on possible wildlife habitats.
"During this work, the site was not found to be providing wildlife habitats.
"The work is simply dealing with the waste foliage from the cutting and stripping work, slightly delayed due to weather.
"We're a family-owned, local business and we consider ourselves to be responsible developers and part of the community.
"I want to assure you that our actions are completely legitimate and in accordance with normal land management."
A spokesman from Dorset Council, said DJ Property complied with the requirements of any abatement notice served by the council.
DJ Property said a planning application has yet to be submitted for the development.
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