Widflower garden on private land in Uppingham is wrongly cut down by Rutland County Council contractors

A wildflower garden was wrongly cut down by council contractors in what has been described as an act of “environmental hooliganism”.

Alan and Lynne Costello took great pride in their efforts to create a wildlife haven alongside their bungalow in Uppingham.

It falls within the boundary of their property but was strimmed down by contractors who were carrying out work for Rutland County Council in the town last week.

The contractors misread their map and cut down the wildflowers by mistake, despite a sign hanging above the plot in Firs Avenue stating “excuse the weeds, we’re feeding the bees”

Lynne said: “I was absolutely devastated. People have told us how wonderful it looked and we were so pleased with how it was developing. It was such a shock to see it all gone.”

Among the flowers planted were poppies, daisies, daffodils and buttercups, some of which were just about to bloom. A hedgehog had also set up home among the flowers.

Lynne added: “I just don’t know how they could think it was part of the verge. If they were in doubt, they could have just knocked on the door to ask.”

Alan contacted the council last week to complain about “the act of environmental hooliganism”.

He said: “What annoys me is that this wild garden was part of our property so the contractors should not have been on it anyway, but after mowing it they just left the cut grass where it was.”

Uppingham county councillor Christine Wise (Lib Dem), who is the council’s portfolio holder for the environment, has visited the couple to apologise.

The council explained that contractors are given maps of which areas they need to cut which are accessed on a handheld console.

A spokesperson said: “The area outside the property was correctly mapped as private land and was not on our cutting schedules. During the first cut of the season they cut the area correctly but for whatever reason this time, a mistake was made.

“We have be in touch with the contractors and are putting them in touch directly with the resident to see how this mistake can be rectified. We will also be working with them to ensure their operatives are following the correct instructions and this does not happen again.”