IN what has been described as "an act of vandalism", an area of grass with Bee Orchids and wildflowers was cut by contractors last week.

In May, the Monmouthshire Botany Recording Group found there to be at least 276 spikes of the orchid in two areas of grassland adjacent to Cornpoppy Avenue.

A follow-up survey revealed "at least 55 species of flowering plant including Birds-foot Trefoil, some Centaury and Ox-eye Daisies".

However the group’s delight turned to dismay when contractors hired by developers Robert Hitchens Ltd, cut the grass and all of the orchids.

The ground has a history of planning applications attached to it. Initially it was intended to provide a community space for shops or a doctor’s surgery, but no interest was shown. An application for nine houses was submitted in 2011 but that was turned down.

Having been left undeveloped since 2002, the plot had begun to enjoy something of a renaissance as a nature retreat for nearby residents as Common Blue butterflies and many bees were enjoying the flowers.

The Beacon contacted the developer Robert Hitchens Ltd who said that the contractors were asked to cut the piece once a month and said it was not good practice to leave the plot alone, "if the grass is allowed to grow, it takes the value out of the plot." They had taken advice from an ecologist and had been told there was no legal protection afforded to the plants.

Gwent Wildlife Trust said that plants were generally protected, as are all wild flowers, from being uprooted. However this does not extend to cutting. "The orchid is a tuber and gains its strength when the flower dies down and if cut prematurely before the energy has gone back down, the plant will weaken" a spokesman for the Trust told the Beacon.

Monmouthshire County Council said: "The land adjacent to Cornpoppy Close in Monmouth is owned by a private landowner who employs a contractor to tend to the land. We have been informed of a large number of Bee Orchids (270) on the land and their importance to pollinators. In a bid to preserve the land our Biodiversity Officer and Commercial Operations and Land Manager have been in contact several times with the developer to request that the area is not cut during the summer months and cut in Sept/October. Unfortunately our request has been ignored. We will continue to try and work with the landowner but currently there is nothing we can do to prevent it from happening."

Steph Tyler of the Monmouthshire Meadows Group said the town hosts the Nature isn’t Neat initiative, Bees for Development and Bee-friendly Monmouthshire, who urge landowners and the council to allow areas of grassland to grow for their plants and insects.