Developers who wrongly knocked down an ancient hedgerow on the edge of Bridport have revealed what they plan to do with the removed timber.

The community voiced its anger after the vegetation was destroyed in November by contractors employed by developers Barratt Homes and Vistry Group.

The controversial 760-home scheme, located at Vearse Farm just off West Road and to be known as Foundry Lea, gained planning permission in August.

Last month, developers offered 'reparations' in the aftermath of the incident, promising to reinstate the space with 'semi-mature replacement trees' and 'native hedgerow species'.

Barratt Homes and Vistry Group publicly apologised for cutting down the foliage, while Bridport Town Council and landowner Sir Philip Colfox said they were 'saddened' by its incorrect removal.

Developers have now stated that they plan on using the wood from the chopped down trees as benches, while they also plan to donate timber to those in fuel poverty locally.

“We are very sorry for the accidental removal of part of the existing hedgerow at our Foundry Lea development, and are doing all that we can to make amends," a spokesman said.

"We have a remedial and enhancement plan that is currently with the town council for approval.

"This plan includes donating some of the cut-down timber for those in fuel poverty locally, plus making wooden benches from it.

"In agreement with the mayor of Bridport we will also be volunteering at the bi-annual Street to Sea festival.”

Bridport Town Council hosted an emergency meeting with developers and stakeholders on December 5 in the aftermath of the mistake, where developers set out 'weaknesses in the processes' that led to the error.

The developers have also offered other forms of reparation, including working with authorities to train people in the skills needed to re-use the wrongly removed trees, sending staff to carry out community volunteering activities, and working with schools to design 'hedgehog houses and highways’.

Bridport Town Council leader, Cllr Dave Rickard, said last month: "We accept that the deeply saddening devastation was as a result of a series of mistakes and omissions rather than any deliberate act, but it was a poor start to their work in Bridport and it must not be allowed to happen again."