VOLUNTEERS have cleared a Bovey Tracey woodland of rubbish left by inconsiderate visitors.

The parcel of land lies off Le Molay Littry Way and was gifted to the Town Council several decades ago.

It was once an open field but nature has taken over and the plot now boasts maturing trees and other plants.

Informal paths are used by dog walkers and youngsters who create dens away from prying eyes.

A nearby resident, Simon, is a nature lover who carries out conservation work with groups such as Natural England and Wildlife Trusts.

But when the woodland strolls on his doorstep were becoming blighted by rubbish he approached the Town Council with a view to getting the site tidied up.

The result was an offer of litter-picking equipment and a promise to dispose of the waste if volunteers did the clearing.

On Saturday, October 17, a small group of willing helpers, including Mayor Cllr Sheila Brooke, were taken into the wood where they found piles of plastic bottles, broken glass, car parts, a tarpaulin and damaged furniture.

Within little more than an hour they not only had the rubbish cleared but had learned something about the site’s wildlife value and its developing ecosystems.

‘It’s an area I’ve been wandering around since I moved here 30 years ago and it’s a lovely natural habitat,’ said Simon.

‘But over the last four to five years, the rubbish has accrued and it just seems like a good time to hit it hard and get it all cleared away so nature can do its work.’

Wildlife Advisor Albert Knott was also taking part, telling his fellow volunteers why wildlife and rubbish don’t mix well.

‘The bottles we’ve been picking up, mammals can go in them and die,’ he said.

‘Birds get rubbish caught around their necks and some of the foodstuffs that might be here could be bad for the animals that eat it.

‘Once people start to drop litter, others see it as a rubbish dump and then it becomes a place where they get rid of things.’

Cllr Brooke said: ‘I’ve been a bit shocked by how much rubbish was here, we just weren’t aware. ‘It’s very disappointing that people have been abusing this lovely spot but hopefully they’ll now get the message and it’s something we’ll try to keep on top of.’

Speaking about the volunteers she added: ‘This is Bovey, this is why we love it here.

‘If there’s a problem people find a solution, we’re really grateful to them.’

The site is proposed in the current Local Development Plan for a new Primary school for the area.

There is currently an ecological assessment being undertaken around the site, which will last for up to 12 months.

The land was bequeathed to Bovey Tracey Town Council on the understanding it would be used for community benefit.

Plans for a supermarket were tabled approximately 20 years ago but dropped following public criticism.

An ongoing environmental assessment is considering the land’s true wildlife value and the results, expected next year, will help inform a decision about whether it might be suitable for a new school and sports facilities.

For more information email [email protected] or call 01626 834217.