New wetland bird habit proposed for village near Grimsby

Afternoon all,

Is the area in question the land that was originally designated as Phase 2 of the Cress Marsh development? I remember seeing this area marked as such on the plans (via the NE Lincs Planning Portal) a few years ago - this is the land directly behind the Cress Marsh site as you look from the site towards Grimsby. If I remember correctly, the plan for Phase 2 showed a lagoon, scrapes and ponds. There was no hide and no access paths.   I heard a rumour that the council was not proceeding with Phase 2 of the Cress development because of some sort of dispute with the land owner  (a local farmer, not industry).
It will be interesting to see what develops on the site!

Hi Nick. Not far off Cress Marsh I think, I have walked the area in question several times with a walking group from Healing and think the land described in Jim Wrights posting is to the east of Cress Marsh about 1-2 kilometres and is around the area of the old watercress beds. These are situated east of Oldfleet Drain, which borders Cress Marsh.  Mawmbridge Drain I think has one connection off it, then joins up with other unions before running north easterly until the railway line. I don’t know where the pumping station is situated unfortunately.
The proposal is for a new reserve and my thoughts are that it could be around the old watercress farm or the adjacent area. I was told several years ago that the Humber Bank factories have licenses for water extraction on a large scale, so this could be a problem.
If you could Google Earth the location it will show my description somewhat clearer. The old watercress farm and drains are clearly seen. But have a guess as to the pumping station location.
Some of the area can be accessed on foot. From the railway crossing in Healing follow the road to the bridge over the A180, walk over and the area in question is in front of you. The track continues  and crosses the Mawmbridge Drain further east, then connects with Europark.
I hope the proposal goes ahead, the more reserves the better. Access to it though could be interesting.
Hope this helps, Nick. Or maybe pose more questions than answers. 
 

Sorry Peter, I am not sure on any of the points you mention. Is Cress marsh (between Healing and Stallingborough) the existing mitigation site, where you mean? If so, the pump that was supposed to keep the main lagoon topped up... unfortunately hasn't worked since the site was opened.
 

Agree, the Novartis suggestion is worrying, but cannot it be designed for both?
Is Mawnbridge Pumping Station anywhere near the land which was Healing Water Cress Farm? Would be an excellent choice if it is as I think it’s naturally spring fed.
Do you know if it’s still used for water extraction by the Humber Bank factories?

Good point re Novartis Ings,  Nick. See pic

Might this be an example of the Law of Unintended Consequences? Are we at risk of trying too hard, on behalf of birds, and finding a solution to a problem that doesn't exist ? 


 

Interesting.
The new area adjacent to Novartis is worrying. This is the area that was the roost area for Golden plover etc during high tide. I have spent many an hour overlooking this area from the sea wall, and seeing hundreds of waders at roost. By turning this area into a wetland/scrape type of reserve, surely it would be turning a once hospitable habitat for Plovers etc, into an area unsuitable for them?