Tree felling at a popular nature spot has been suspended after concerns from neighbours about nesting birds.
But work by National Grid’s contractors will continue at Bradley Quarry Reserve, off Upper Quarry Road, Bradley, once the nesting season is over.
The company began clearing trees around pylons and below power lines last week as part of maintenance work.
But work was suspended on May 22 until September following complaints from neighbours – and a request from Kirklees Council, the landowner, to postpone the work.
Residents say the removal of trees has been excessive and the company had failed to consider wildlife in the wood, particularly as it is nesting season.
Bradley Quarry Reserve is home to jays, woodpeckers, pheasants, finches and wagtails as well as mammals including foxes.
Neighbour Liz Wilkinson said: “It looks like a crater and we’re bothered about the wildlife.
“There’s been no thought put in. It’s a real mess.
“We understand they have to be cut down to some extent but this is disgraceful and beyond what they need to do.”
A spokesman for National Grid said: “Our contractors are managing the heights and growth of trees, shrubs and any other vegetation to ensure that there is enough clearance between the top of the trees and the pylon cables off Upper Quarry Road, Bradley.
“The work had to be undertaken so that trees do not interfere with the pylon cables ensuring that there is no loss of electricity supply.
“Kirklees Council gave permission for these works to be done and their representative visited the site on May 22 to carry out checks as a result of residents’ concerns.
“The representative was satisfied that the works had been carried out to the standards expected.
“National Grid always takes environmental concerns seriously when undertaking any works.”
The 19th century quarry was sold to the Huddersfield Corporation – taken over by Kirklees Council in 1974 – for use as a landfill tip.
However it was never used as a tip and, after some work in the 1980s, it became a nature reserve.
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