EXCLUSIVE Natural England blasted as woke eco-lunatics after refusing to clear foul overgrown grass on sandy beach

‘Eco-zealots’ are ruining a centuries old beach by refusing to clear overgrown grass from the historically golden sand shore, a councillor has warned.

And Natural England, the country’s advisory body for the natural environment, are putting ‘plants before people’ as they continue to reject plans to clear vegetation from Hoylake beach in the Wirral, Cllr Andrew Gardner said.

Patches of long grass have sprouted up across the beach after Wirral Council stopped using weed killer glyphosate in 2019 and paused beach management a year later.

The overgrown grassland has enraged residents who claim the beach is now ‘unusable.’

Others have described the previously golden sand beach as a ‘dog’s toilet’ and a ‘bog’.

Cllr Gardner, a Conservative councillor for Hoylake and Meols, told MailOnline: ‘It’s a foul waste. It’s very unpleasant. You can’t walk through it, or enjoy it.

‘It is important to remember the beach was designed as an amenity area for the town. There isn’t another park or anywhere else you can go. The beach was the park.

‘There’s some slight pathways where you can perhaps walk along if you’re feeling brave but you certainly couldn’t go and have a family day down there.’

Eco-zealots’ are ruining a centuries old beach by refusing to clear overgrown grass from the historically golden sand shore, a councillor has warned

And Natural England, the country’s advisory body for the natural environment, are putting ‘plants before people’ as they continue to reject plans to clear vegetation from Hoylake beach in the Wirral, according to Councilor Andrew Gardner (pictured)

In January, Wirral Council put forward plans to clear three hectares of grassland and create an amenity beach.

The plans outlined how the council could manage the beach and was viewed as a compromise after a heated six-year debate on the beach’s future in the quiet seaside town.

But Natural England said that grassland could only be cleared to improve Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) ‘operational access’ and ‘vegetation clearance for functional amenity’ would not be included.

They added improved access to the beach could increase recreation and thus disturbance to overwintering birds.

Hoylake Beach is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), due to the presence of rare species, meaning it is legally protected from actions which could damage the wildlife.

Some environmental experts have praised the continued growth of vegetation.

Wildlife expert Chris Packham said the beach was of ‘international conservation importance’ and more than 150 plant species, 19 of which were at risk of extinction, were found on the beach.

Meanwhile, botanist Joshua Styles said the area had ‘globally significant wildlife’ and that he discovered 236 plant species, including 24 rare ones of national significance.

Hoylake Beach is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) meaning it is legally protected from actions which could damage the wildlife

Wildlife campaigner Chris Packham said the beach was of ‘international conservation importance’ and more than 150 plant species, 19 of which were at risk of extinction, were found on the beach

But Cllr Gardner said: ‘Natural England has been abominable. They are atrocious.

‘Theyre about plants, not about people. They have no interest in the people of Hoylake whatsoever. Its just eco-lunacy for the sake of some really poor quality vegetation that has grown there that stops people using it.

‘Whatever has grown there weve now got to keep according to Natural England. That isnt democracy, that isnt consultation, thats a heist.’

David Renwick, Regional Director for the North at Natural England, told MailOnline they do not recognise Cllr Gardner’s ‘characterisations’.

‘Our officials have worked hard to understand different perspectives in a matter that has understandably generated strong feelings locally and we will continue to work with Wirral Borough Council on this.’

‘Natural England’s role by law is to ensure species and habitats are protected, but protecting nature and development can and must go hand in hand.

‘Hoylake Beach protected saltmarsh habitat is vital for both local wildlife and preventing coastal erosion, which is why we have not agreed to the full amount of clearance.’

Natural England added that they have agreed to limited vegetation clearance to ensure essential access needs for RNLI lifesaving operations.

Many residents want a return to a golden sand beach and the latest consultation with Wirral residents last year revealed that around two-thirds supported plans for the amenity beach, which was rejected by Natural England.

Natural England said that grassland could only be cleared to improve Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) ‘operational access’ and ‘vegetation clearance for functional amenity’ would not be included

Natural England said improved access to the beach could increase recreation and thus disturbance to overwintering birds

Only 24.1 per cent wanted the beach to stay completely natural, according to a 2022 public feedback exercise. While 41.8 per cent wanted a ‘balance between a natural beach and maintained beach’ and 34.1 per cent wanted it to ‘look managed and maintained.’

The fierce debate, which has been described as a ‘civil war’, has spilled onto social media and following Natural England’s rejection of the latest council plans, angry locals said it is ‘time for the nuclear option now’ and a ‘campaign for clearing the whole beach.’

While last year a £20,000 fine warning was issued after plants were reportedly dug up illegally.

But the town is not mired by division, according to Cllr Gardner.

‘Theres some people who think the grass is great and they are very noisy but I would say somewhere between 80 per cent and 90 per cent of people want their beach back.

‘That is not a divided town.’

Since 2019, Wirral Council has spent at least £244,000 on developing future plans.

And Wirral Green Party slammed the council for ‘wasting hundreds of thousands of pounds of public money.’

‘This decision underscores a massive waste of time and resources for the council.

‘The pursuit of an unviable plan has consumed two years and enough money to run nine public libraries.’

The Green Group on Wirral Council told MailOnline: ‘The legal position regarding Hoylake beach is very clear. Unlike the Tories, Green councillors have consistently maintained that any intervention on the beach must respect the law. The recent advice from Natural England fully supports this long-held position.’

A Wirral Council spokesperson said: ‘We have received the notice and advice from Natural England and we now need to take some time to consider it and develop a formal response.’

A RNLI spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘We continue to operate a 24/7 lifesaving service.

They added: ‘We continue to work with Wirral Council and other stakeholders to ensure our views are represented’