The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Spare a thought for the villagers of Laceby, near Grimsby, who are trying to halt a scheme for 150 new homes on arable fields and a hedgerow which provide nesting sites for various birds, including skylarks, partridges and yellowhammers.

Rather than acknowledging their concerns, the "independent" ecological consultancy has essentially dismissed the site as being of negligible importance - even though the photographs in its report suggest otherwise.

The appraisal is so threadbare and casual that it fails even to include a species list.

http://planninganddevelopment.nelincs.gov.uk/online-applications/files/48B3B09F6D55D59F2420D08826DC0740/pdf/DM_1015_14_FUL-PRELIMINARY_ECOLOGICAL_APPRAISAL-987842.pdf

Talk about putting the boot in!

What does the North East Lincolnshire Council planning case officer have to say on the matter? Has he rigorously examined the ecological appraisal? Has he, heck!

In a report recommending approval of the development proposal, he writes: "There are no habitats nor plants of local or national importance, nor is the nature of the proposals and extent of the development likely to generate any significant impact on valuable . . . ecological receptors.

Birds as "ecological receptors"!

What would have the poet Shelley made of that? "Hail to thee, blithe ecological receptor."

No wonder Lincolnshire's wildlife is in retreat!

If this is example is typical of what else is happening in the county, it is being betrayed by inadequate ecological surveys and insensitive council planning officers.

I'd like to read it but the link says 'document unavailable'

John

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Lincolnshire Birds https://www.flickr.com/photos/120340949 ... 8078912016
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Contact: recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk

That's odd - the document was available earlier this afternoon.

For some reason, it seems to have been taken down - I will try to track down an alternative link.

This might be a route.

It's the 14th document down the page - Preliminary Ecological Appraisal


http://planninganddevelopment.nelincs.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=NC5J45LJLO900

The skylarks and yellowhammers can carry on singing - the housing application was refused at this morning's meeting of North East Lincolnshire Council's planning committee.

Let's hope that's it Jim. You should remain vigilant. Developers have a habit of appealing against planning refusals and Councils of not having the financial resources to oppose the appeals.
Sorry to sound a sceptical note but Eric Pickles is lurking in the background as well.

John

There's a scenario of this kind playing out at Hemswell regarding a Wind Turbine Farm.
The appeal is happening

Thanks John and Steve for those for comments.

The planning system is supposed to enhance opportunities for wildlife/biodiversity, but I have never seen any evidence of this happening.

The trouble is that council planning officers are unlikely to be interested in the welfare of birds. Nor do they show much imagination on matters ecological.

That's a shame. Imposing firm, enforceable conditions that nesting boxes should be installed (where appropriate) at various locations on new housing estates could help declining species such as house sparrows and swifts.

In my view, this an area where the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust should be much more vigorous. Likewise, the RSPB which should use its clout to lobby planning departments at local authorities.

LBC does a great job recording species - but should it, too, consider developing a campaigning role?

In 50 years' time, there might not be many birds left!

I agree, how about members being co ordinated for a particular Saturday outside travel agents suggesting that maltese holidays are vetoed until the annual slaughter is stopped. It would get into local press which may make people think before they go there.

The Bird Club was formed in 1979 and the 4 main objectives are listed on the LBC Website. None of these relate to campaigning about planning or any other issues. Surely this is a political matter that should be confined to the Ballot box or by members joining organisations such as Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth or the RSPB. I believe the LBC role is to provide accurate ornithological data and not become embroiled in planning or similar issues as a body. What individual members want to do is entirely up to them.

I think you are being very ambitious with 50 years I would suggest more like 10

As expected, the applicant appealed to the planning inspectorate - but the appeal has been dismissed