Angry residents have blasted "cruel" developers who have covered one of the UK’s oldest urban hedgerows in nets to keep birds out during peak nesting season.Developers Ling Homes have netted the 100-year-old hedgerow before they rip it out to widen a road next to an exclusive gated community of 11 luxury homes.The move is thought to be because, under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is unlawful for them to cut down hedges containing nesting birds.Dudley Council have demanded the hedgerow is removed to make way for a road-widening scheme next to a newly built luxury estate in Halesowen, West Mids.The Copper Beech development on Bundle Hill consists of 11 large 3-5 bedroom detached homes costing around £400,000 each.Residents have reacted with fury after the large anti-bird nets were hauled over the 560ft long hedgerow which grows opposite the estate's gated entrance.