Far Ings bitterns/ marsh harriers at risk?

Thanks for clarification Matthew - apologies for oversight - Jim

Hi Jim

LWT submitted a detailed response objecting to the application - available on the planning portal.

Regards

Matthew

The planning application for 19 holiday lodges to be built adjacent to Far Ings SSSI has been withdrawn by the applicant.

This has been confirmed by North Lincolnshire Council.

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust raised a petition calling for the controversial scheme to be refused, but it is not believed to have been one of more than 800 individuals/ organisations that submitted a formal planning objection.

Nor, it is understood, were objections submitted by either Natural England or the RSPB.

Although withdrawal of the application has given Far Ings - and its rare birds - breathing space, it is yet possible that a revised scheme might be submitted at a later date.
 

There has been a serious setback to this application.

The Environment Agency has lodged an objection, stating that the scheme poses "an unacceptable risk to life from flooding". 

It says: "Areas behind flood defences are at particular risk from rapid onset of fast-flowing and deep water flooding, with little or no warning if defences are overtopped or breached. 

"The site has a hazard classification of 'danger to all’, indicating peril to all types of people, including emergency services, under present day conditions as well as when allowance is made for climate change."

There have also been numerous objections from naturalists including Lincs Bird Club members.

A planning decision  is not expected to be made by North Lincolnshire Council until  later this year.

The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust has this week issued the following statement:


Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust are calling for a planning application on the site of the former Humber Bridge Hotel to be rejected over concerns that the proposed development would have a damaging impact on the rare wildlife and habitats that are found on their adjacent Far Ings National Nature Reserve.

The Trust own the 160-acre nature reserve on the south side of the Humber which is home to some of the UK’s rarest and most special wildlife. As such, the site, and the adjacent Humber Estuary have been given the highest level of protection possible under UK law.

But now, proposals for 19 new lodges threaten to impact on the wildlife that calls the nature reserve home. The location is right in the heart of the reserve.

If the development went ahead, it would increase the disturbance to numerous species for which the site has been designated. Many of these nest or are found in very close proximity to the proposed development. For example, bittern, marsh harrier, bearded tit, Cetti’s warbler, kingfisher and barn owl all breed and the area is frequently used by badger, otter and water vole. All of these species are protected by law.

Chief Executive Paul Learoyd says: “The Trust is not against sensible development in the right place but Far Ings is one of the most important sites in the country for its wildlife.

"The application has been put forward with no acknowledgement of the value of the sites and the impact that the development could have. We therefore feel we have no other option than to oppose these plans.”

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News report in yesterday's Grimsby Telegraph