Brendan Joyce, CEO Norfolk Wildlife Trust
The article by Mark Cocker in Saturday's EDP reinforces our own
strong concern regarding the proposal of the Norwich Rugby Club and the UEA
Sportspark to construct pitches and car parking spaces along with a two storey
function building, in the Yare Valley between UEA and Colney Lane.
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| Male Migrant Hawker at UEA, photo by Michael Sankey |
We are concerned that the scale of this
development will lead to further degradation of local wildlife habitats along
the Yare Valley, whilst at the same time lessening its value as a quiet haven
for local walkers. This area of the valley is already well used by local people
and any further loss of semi-natural green space should be avoided,
particularly as there will be even more recreational pressure once new housing
is built at Cringleford.
Whilst the proposers
state that it will be possible to mitigate for the majority of impacts on
protected species, they downplay the impact the development will have on the
broader value of the valley as a wildlife corridor. The Yare Valley in
Norwich is recognised as a key green corridor in the Greater Norwich Green
Infrastructure Strategy and the proposed development will further weaken the
integrity of this corridor. The area on the UEA side of the river is protected
by County Wildlife Site designations and managed for the benefit of wildlife
whilst at the same time allowing access to the general public. However, the
south side of the river has suffered from piecemeal loss over the last 20
years, as the area between the river and Colney Lane has increasingly been
developed for sports facilities.
The current proposals
will be a further step in destroying the naturalness of this area and should
not go ahead in their present form.
Useful links:
- Blog post by Professor Tim O'Riordan on Mark Avery's blog
- Planning application on South Norfolk Council website
- Link to the petition website
Mr. Joyce: it was good to read your blog but will you now actively encourage your Trust members to sign the petition eg via e-newsletters, your local groups etc? This is surely what's needed. Wildlife Trusts such as yours have a huge role to play in encouraging their thousands of members to take an active part in conservation. We're familiar with the idea of 'people science' where people help with wildlife surveys etc. and with members working as volunteers on reserves etc. Now we surely need to encourage members to become politically active by signing petitions like this, writing to their MPs and even turning out at rallies like the successful Hen Harrier day events elsewhere in the country.
ReplyDeleteWildlife is under such pressure only by engaging with the political process do we stand any chance of getting our voices heard and our causes debated.
It's time wildlife trusts like yours played their part.
Best wishes,
Nick Martin