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Wildlife pond advice please - Significant Project

Yawningdog
23/02/2020 23:37

Hi

I have a major planning application for a rural house that is going to an appeal hearing. The proposal is extremely exciting in ecological terms and involves cutting edge research with 5 x universities. This includes a soil inoculation project and an extensive Ecosystem recovery model. The project is receiving a lot of positive attention. 

Part of the Ecosystem model involves creating a 475 sqm wildlife pond with varying depths up to 1.8m, and a bog garden. 

The wildlife pond extends up to the edge of the new house, a single storey thatched building. 

The local council planning department are arguing on a policy point but have also been making some ridiculous accusations. One of their accusations states that the wildlife pond will not attract wildlife as it will be close to the house. 

Personally I know that this is incorrect as I already have a pond by my present house which is thriving. 

What do you think? Do you believe that a wildlife pond will suffer if it is near a house? There will be no external lighting on the pond, and no terrace. 

I must add that the house is extremely rural with no other houses nearby. 

Many thanks. 

  • 24/02/2020 16:33
    Welcome Yawningdog, sounds like typical local planning with policy overruling common sense, I hope you manage to overcome their obstacles. We have pond in the garden about 30 ft from the house with a path around one side and a bog garden on the opposite side, it has proved to be the single most effective addition to the garden for wildlife. We have a native hedge along the back boundary with bungalows on the other side so not as isolated as you but in 15 yrs since the pond went in we have had 42 different species of birds, newts, dragonfly, damselflies and all the usual pond life. Fox, hedgehogs & Muntjac deer. We have feeders about 10/15ft from the patio doors and can get a flock of finches up to 30/40 strong. Your local council obviously have no idea of wildlife behaviour, good luck.


    Tony

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/wherryman/

  • 24/02/2020 17:02 in reply to tony
    That sounds wonderful, thanks Tony. Guy
  • 16/03/2020 15:20
    If this is a rural area with no other houses around, I’m sure the abundance of wildlife visiting will be clear to see. It may take time for them to come but with time the project should be a treasure.

    I am no specialist in any areas but if the end results will be helping the wildlife then I don’t see a problem.

    I have a small wildlife garden and I can walk 15 steps from my back door to the start of my garden. I have frogs, slowworms. A nesting hedgehog and visiting hogs, All sorts of birds. They don’t seem bothered to be close to my building. I have a staffy dog who is 2 and an 8 year old cat and the wildlife have not been harmed or deterred.

    I hope you can get this resolved GOOD LUCK Two hearts
  • 17/03/2020 10:29 in reply to PaulaM1121963759
    Thanks Paula, I really appreciate your comments. Have a lovely Spring! Guy
  • 17/03/2020 21:21

    If you fancy a quick play with Google maps have a search for the National Trust of Jersey Wetlands Centre. Just to the South of it you  will see a building - this is a private house and the wildlife are not in the slightest bit worried by it and yes the water cones right up to their boundary.
    Good luck I hope your council stop being awkward

    CinJ

    Cin J

  • 18/03/2020 23:42 in reply to Germain
    Thanks Cin, I will have a look at that. Guy