CONCERNS have been raised in Ashton Keynes after a footpath was closed and diggers were moved in to excavate land next to a County Wildlife Site.

A former gravel pit in the village, known as Lake 82, was purchased last year by Alvin Lindley.

A ditch was then dug alongside a footpath running parallel to the site.

Parish councillor Dave Wingrove said the excavation of the ditch has had villagers “up in arms”, citing concerns about a disruption to water flow and draining adjacent scrubland, which he suggested is a natural wetland area.

“In the process of excavation, it would appear that a considerable area of the scrubland itself has been destroyed,” said Cllr Wingrove.

“The parish council is concerned that these developments could potentially breach planning regulations and may possibly be a breach of law.

“As a matter of urgency, the parish council is working with the local authority and other relevant organisations to determine what actions can be taken to rectify any environmental damage that may have been caused by the developer’s actions.”

Mr Lindley said to his knowledge there has been no damage to scrubland while the work was carried out and explained that the ditch that was dug for agricultural reasons, to facilitate the grazing of livestock.

He said: “The land to the north of Lake 82 is not natural wetland, it sits well above the floodplain.

“The wetness and boggy areas are due to poor way in which the land was in-filled on reclamation.

“The land is actually not scrub, it is quite poor grassland which is starting to be overrun with creeping thistle.”

Planning permission was not sought for this work, however Mr Lindley said, as the land owner, he is totally within his rights to have carried it out.

“This is all about farming,” he said. “You are allowed to work on normal-sized ditches. There is nothing else going on here.

“Despite comments and concerns no planning application has or at this moment in time anticipated, although that should not and does not rule out the possibility in the future.”

Wiltshire Council said they are investigating whether there has been any breach of planning control.