Pat Regan: MORE WILD HABITAT AT KEW UNDER THREAT - but who cares about protected species anyway?

Major Southport employer submits planning application for huge land development – So it's, ‘BYE BYE’ for more of our wild green spaces….

More details on this link.

https://www.otsnews.co.uk/major-southport-employer-submits-planning-application-for-huge-land-development/

An unpopular stance perhaps - yet my sincere sympathy has always resided with the ongoing loss of our precious British Countryside. Wild spaces that are vital to numerous wild animals, birds, and flora etc, always take second place to business profits.

Above: legally protected species such as the Water vole, exist in and around the Kew area. The region is considered a stronghold for this rare mammal, which is the UK's fastest-declining native mammal. Conservation Status: Although they are often found in this area, they are heavily threatened by habitat loss. Research and surveys by the Lancashire Wildlife Trust have identified the area as a vital location for the remaining population.

Legal Aspects (Water Vole Law)

Protection Level: Included in Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, prohibiting acts against the animals and their habitats.

Offences: It is illegal to damage, destroy, or obstruct access to any structure or place used for shelter or protection, and to disturb them while in such a place.

Penalties: Offences can result in fines up to Level 5 on the standard scale and/or up to six months imprisonment per offence.

Development Impacts: If a project (e.g., in Arun Ecology or E3 Ecology) might impact water voles, surveys are necessary to avoid prosecution.

Licensing: If impacts cannot be avoided, a licence from NatureScot or Natural Resources Wales may be required for mitigation, such as displacing them before work starts.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/water-voles-advice-for-making-planning-decisions

Big business and cash – hungry councils are expert at getting their own way, which has resulted in the British countryside being decimated everywhere…

With more land – eating plans afoot at Kew, let’s spare a thought for the local countryside/wildlife habitat that Southport has already lost.

Here below are a few of the many pages about the wildlife – rich countryside that Southport people have seen vanish into history …

THE RAPE OF SOUTHPORT’S OLD COUNTRYSIDE

https://pat-regan.blogspot.com/2012/04/rape-of-southports-old-countryside.html

Blowick Moss: RIP our old Southport countryside

https://pat-regan.blogspot.com/2018/11/blowick-moss-rip-our-old-southport.html

George Drive Woods: The consequences of disloyalty, send in the developers!

https://www.otsnews.co.uk/consequences-disloyalty-send-developers/#google_vignette

SAVE SOUTHPORT GREEN BELT

https://pat-regan.blogspot.com/2012/06/save-southport-greenbelt-httpssgb.html

Lest we forget - the destruction of Kitty's Wood in Ainsdale

https://pat-regan.blogspot.com/2024/04/lest-we-forget-destruction-of-kittys.html