Wildwood destroyed by your local Conservatives

4.10.40pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 30th Apr 2010

A Conservative block vote has forced through a new housing scheme on irreplaceable ancient woodland in south east Maidstone.

The now complete destruction of beautiful wildwood, which formerly supported rare and legally protected wildlife, has left local residents and Lib Dem councillors shocked and angry.

Local Lib Dem Planning spokesman Tony Harwood stated:

"Ancient woodland is our richest wildlife habitat, the UK's equivalent of rainforest, and is literally irreplaceable. Other councils the length and breadth of Great Britain are committed to absolute protection of their wildwood heritage. Maidstone under the Conservatives has earned the grim distinction of being probably the only local authority in the UK to promote its destruction. It is made clear, once again, that Maidstone Tories have no empathy with or understanding of the countryside."