Belvoir Castle has won planning approval to remove to remove 578m of hedgerow.

But the move has attracted some criticism for both the castle and South Kesteven District Council, the planning authority.

In her application to SKDC, Emma Manners, the Duchess of Rutland, who gave her address as Terrace Hills Farm, Belvoir Castle, said: "The fields adjacent are too small for modern farm machinery."

She continued: "In removing the hedgerows the fields can be farmed more efficiently. Mitigation can be provided by tree and hedge planting elsewhere on the estate."

The hedgerows are on land west of Woolsthorpe Lane, Stenwith.

A council report noted opposition to the application from the Woodland Trust who believed the hedgerows may be classed as 'important.'

But Heritage Lincolnshire said the hedgerows did not meet the classification of 'important' under the regulations.

The report also said SKDC received 15 letters of representation following public notification of the application.

Objections included damage to the environment, wildlife, the diversity of wildlife, and the visual impact of the hedges' removal.

Planning staff said though the hedges may be more than 30 years old, they do not mark parish or other borders' or pre-date enclosures so are not classed as 'important' and can be thus removed as under legislation.

However, they did impose a condition that removal takes place outside the nesting season.

The decision has been criticised by Grantham Green Party campaigner Anne Gayfer, who was 'dismayed' by the decision, saying she believed the estate has removed 12km of hedgerow in the past ten or so years.

She also noted the site was near to the Muston Meadows Nature reserve, which contains more than 30 different species of grasses and more than 100 flowering plant species.

Coun Ashley Baxter (Ind- Market and West Deeping) of South Kesteven District Council told Nub News: "To remove the habitat of wild creatures in such a manner is disgusting and the council is complicit in the destruction. The Council's commitment to trees and hedges doesn't extend far beyond a few photo-opportunities."

South Kesteven District Council declined to comment on the hedgerow decision.

However, following a similar case involving a recent application concerning the removal of holly bushes, as also raised by Coun Baxter, the council issued a statement.

It said: "Each planning application is determined on its merits using relevant criteria in accordance with national planning policy. SKDC benefits from expert advice on both conservation and tree issues to inform such decisions."

SKDC further told Nub News: "The council has a strong record on environmental matters including a partnership with Wyndham Park Forum to plant 75 trees in a D-Day commemorative orchard; launching rewilding pilot projects in each of its four towns; declaring a climate emergency and publishing its carbon footprint baseline with options for carbon reduction."

Nub News also sought comment from Belvoir Castle.