Northumberland County Council has come under fire after a tractor flattened part of a park designated as a wetland and wildlife area. The Friends of Eastwoods Park (FOEP) in Prudhoe, a charity dedicated to improving the park, claim they managed to stop the damage but a "large area" was lost.
Volunteers have said they are "devastated" by the damage caused. However, the council insists that the work was planned and completed correctly.
A statement issued by the Miners' Lamp Café and Community Hub, which is run by the FOEP, reads: "Devastated isn't the word to describe how we all feel today. After years of care, attention and money spent by our charity the Friends of Eastwoods Park to develop what was just a waterlogged area of Eastwoods Park into a wetland and wildlife area. Northumberland County Council decided to bring in a tractor and begin flattening it.
"We managed to stop them before too much damage was done, however we have now lost a large area of habitat including well established grasses and sedge which provided shelter and food for many amphibians, insects and mammals, increasing biodiversity and helping fight climate change.
"What really hurt us the most was to be told by an officer of NCC, that it's their park and their meadow! After everything we have done to make Eastwoods Park what it is.
"We are extremely saddened and upset by this whole situation. Yes, the council own Eastwoods Park - however look at how much effort our charity has made to make Eastwoods Park the jewel in the crown of Prudhoe's green spaces. We're now left with no choice but to re-evaluate what we put into Eastwoods Park in respect of time, money and heart."
The issue has also drawn the attention of Hexham MP Joe Morris, who has written to the council calling for answers. In a letter, Mr Morris said the community was "deeply disappointed" and that it would take "years to re-establish", adding the incident had been "heartbreaking".
Mr Morris also called for a formal apology from the council to acknowledge the damage caused and "rebuild trust".
Responding to the issue, a spokesman for Northumberland County Council said: "The recent work in this wetland area was planned and forms part of the agreed management plan for this well-maintained Green Flag Park. This plan includes an annual cut and collect of this area to remove the vegetation which would otherwise make the area too nutrient rich.
"This is the work which was undertaken, as it has in previous years - work that went to plan and was completed correctly. The Green Flag Award scheme recognises and rewards well managed parks and green spaces.
"The council and our partners have worked hard to achieve this prestigious award for five consecutive years , delivering a range of improvements so that Eastwoods remains a high quality park that is continually improving for the benefit of its users."
Friends of Eastwoods Park founder and project manager Russ Greig disputed the fact the cut was planned, branding it "absolute rubbish". He added: "That's totally wrong.
"I would have asked if it needed cutting. We're meant to be working together - if we're not, then we're not going to work at all.
"All the effort we have put in as a charity with our volunteers and the money and this feels like it is being thrown back in our faces. The council came in last year to cut the long grass but we had already cut it this year because it didn't grow much due to the dry weather.
"They decided to cut the wetland area which was being left. It was a total breakdown in communication.
"It has been four years we have been developing that area - we have spent a lot of money on seeds, bulbs and plants. It's been a labour of love for us.
"I know it will grow back, but it is not the point - it took years to get it to that point."
Prudhoe South councillor Gordon Stewart said he had been in discussions with the council an representatives of Eastwoods Park following the incident. He added: "We all appreciate the fantastic work done in the park over the last few years by the FOEP."