Hunterston wetlands under threat again from new development

RSPB Scotland objects to plan to destroy wildlife site at Hunterston

October 2012. RSPB Scotland has expressed serious concern about the latest plan that could lead to the destruction of a protected, nationally important, wildlife site at Hunterston in North Ayrshire.

Vital feeding ground and habitat for wintering birds
The wildlife conservation charity has objected to North Ayrshire Council's modified Local Development Plan, which earmarks 63% of the Portencross Coast Site of Special Scientific Interest for development. If adopted by the Council in its current form, the wetland area could be built on- destroying a vital feeding ground and habitat for wintering birds.

Coal plant rejected
The site was recently threatened by proposals to build a massive coal-fired power station on the wetland area. Over 20,000 people objected to the proposals and North Ayrshire Council responded to local and national concerns by voting to oppose the coal plant themselves. The proposal became the most unpopular in Scottish planning history before the developers Ayrshire Power finally scrapped the plans in June this year.

RSPB Scotland is calling for the Plan to be amended so that development is accommodated without damaging the sandflats and mudflats that are so valuable to wildlife.

Zoe Clelland, RSPB Scotland's Senior Conservation Officer for Central Scotland, said: "It is alarming to see this important wildlife site is still ear-marked for development. North Ayrshire Council made the right decision in turning down the proposals for a coal-fired power station and it's crucial that this success is built upon rather than destroyed.

"There is potential to accommodate significant development on the existing site at Hunterston without destroying a protected wildlife site. This would help deliver sustainable development and economic growth. North Ayrshire Council should amend their plans and show that the area is open for business and encouraging of new development but not at any cost to the Ayrshire environment."

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/hunterston-wetlands.html

RSPB launches complaint against Natural England

RSPB seeks European investigation after failure to protect UK wildlife site

October 2012. The RSPB has submitted a formal complaint to the European Commission over the handling of an estate in the South Pennines where a protected area of blanket bog habitat is under threat.

Following six months of investigation, the charity believes Natural England has contravened European environmental protection legislation in its dealings with the Walshaw Moor Estate, near Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire. The site is home to an important area of blanket bog - a globally rare and threatened habitat of delicate mosses which supports scarce breeding wading birds such as dunlin and golden plover. Walshaw Moor is so vital for these species and habitats that it is protected by the highest European environmental designations.

Burning and draining of the bog
The management of the estate - including burning and draining of the bog - has caused Natural England to raise serious concerns in recent years. However, in March this year, without a clear explanation, Natural England suddenly dropped legal proceedings against the estate, including a prosecution on 43 grounds of alleged damage.

Mike Clarke, RSPB chief executive, said: "The decision to lodge this complaint has not been taken lightly, but this is a vitally important issue which centres on the Government's statutory duty to protect our natural environment.

No adequate explanation
"Natural England - the Government's wildlife watchdog - has dropped its prosecution without giving an adequate explanation and without securing restoration of this habitat. It has also entered into a management arrangement which we consider has fundamental flaws. This combination of actions is probably unlawful and will do little, if anything, to realise the Coalition Government's stated ambition to restore biodiversity.

Continued:  http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/rspb-complaint.html

Appeal to save Oxon wildlife site launched

BBOWT needs to raise £99750 in 6 weeks
June 2012. The Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) launches a public appeal to raise £99,750 in just six weeks to purchase a riverside meadow near Bampton in west Oxfordshire. If BBOWT does not reach its target in time, this rare opportunity to purchase the land known as Upper Common could be gone forever. 

Upper Common is an 11-hectare site on the edge of BBOWT's Chimney Meadows Nature Reserve. The willow-lined riverbanks and flower-filled hay meadows at Chimney are a refuge for some of England's most threatened species, including the water vole. Awash with glorious displays of wildflowers in the summer, the meadows attract butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies that flit through the nodding heads of brightly coloured wildflowers. Tragically, meadows like this are now a rare site with only 3% of traditional hay meadows remaining in England and Wales.

Neil Clennell, Head of Conservation and Education (Oxfordshire) for BBOWT, says: "With the right management we could transform Upper Common into a colourful meadow, teaming with life once again. Using green hay cut from the nature reserve we can spread wildflower seed onto prepared ground where species like knapweed, fairy flax and delicate quaking grass can flourish.

"With greater control over the water levels it will be possible to keep areas of the reserve wetter for longer, creating new wetland habitats for threatened wading birds such as curlew and snipe. There are already signs of water voles and otters on Upper Common and with a bit of work we could provide safer habitat, helping these much-loved creatures to survive. Opportunities to buy land like this are exceedingly rare. If someone else purchases this land, the vital restoration work needed on the meadow and waterways is unlikely to happen."

It's not just wildlife that will benefit if BBOWT is successful. The public will be able to enjoy a stroll through the new meadow on a circular walk taking in the delights of the nature reserve and the Thames path.

If you would like to help us secure this vital site for wildlife, you can donate to BBOWT's Chimney Meadows appeal at www.justgiving.com/chimneymeadows. Alternatively, please call BBOWT's Supporters' Office on 01865 788300.

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/bbowt-appeal.html