An angry businessman has destroyed a wildflower bed in a dispute with green-fingered neighbours who installed a community planter outside his home.
Video footage appears to show the wind turbine company’s director, Mike Hodgson, 54, removing the colourful grasses and flowers less than 24 hours after volunteers had carefully planted the raised bed.
Mr Hodgson and his partner, who have been accused of “terrorising” locals with anti-social behaviour, allegedly took “power tools and crowbars” to destroy the flower bed next to their luxury home.
The villagers then staged a sit-in to protect the flowerbed during the turf war in the heart of the rural village.
Mr Hodgson and his partner Shirin Poostchi, 55, were filmed on Wednesday as they climbed onto the ground and pulled out plants that had been placed there.
Video footage appears to show the wind turbine company’s director, Mike Hodgson, 54, removing the colourful grasses and flowers less than 24 hours after the raised bed had been planted.
The villagers staged a sit-in to try to protect the bed, but Mr Hodgson simply jumped over them.
The bed was planted in preparation for Britain in Bloom and in partnership with the village Conservation Group and the Community Council’s Biodiversity Project.
Locals said there had been an ongoing planning dispute with the wind turbine company boss, Mr Hodgson, after he moved to the rural village of Gwaenysgor in north Wales about 10 years ago.
Neighbour Andy Clarke, 58, said: ‘We installed a herb garden next to his house – it’s not on his land, it’s next to it.
“The public had to sit on the bed to prevent it from being destroyed. The police were called, but no one was warned or arrested.”
Mr Clarke, creative director at a design agency, said the flowers had been planted with the support of the community council in what he described as a “quiet, rural village where the average age of residents must be over 60”.
He said: ‘We planted this to brighten things up and as part of the village’s preparation for Britain in Bloom and in partnership with the village’s Conservation Group and the Community Council’s Biodiversity Project.
We expected it to last a long time but it didn’t even last a day.
Posting a video of the incident on social media, Mr Clarke added: “Seeing our friends and neighbours terrified and threatened by (Mr Hodgson) will haunt my sleep.”
During the video, a man can be heard saying in front of Hodgson: “This is how CEOs behave. I’m happy to put this on your LinkedIn account later today. This will look great on your LinkedIn profile.”
Mr Clarke said villagers had previously contacted local Conservative Senedd member Mark Isherwood and police over alleged “anti-social behaviour” issues with Mr Hodgson, but to no avail.
Allegations made by residents include verbal abuse and inconsiderate parking.
Mr Hodgson said he did not wish to comment on the dispute, saying: “To be honest, it’s not something we want to deal with.”
Ms Poostchi added: “We are trying to get on with our work day.”
North Wales Police has been contacted for comment.
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