I am Secretary for a local Woodland Conservation group. Next to one side of our wood is open fields. Plans have been put on to turn one of these fields into a 500 car car park. Locally we are very opposed to the whole plans for it especially as they are thinking of routing path through our woods which will involve remving 30+ trees.
We also have tree sparrows just outside the woods that live in a tree which is in a hedge bordering the field to be turned into a car park.
Also we have lapwings who nest in the field.
We not that both these birds are RSPB Red Status birds.
Can we use this as a legitimite opposition to the plans (one of many). We are very concerned about the tree sparrows in particular. They go between 3 trees and although the trees will remain in place they will be greatly affected by the work. We feel this is unacceptable and are concerned.
Any help/opinions wold be useful please.
Thanks
Michelle
This could really do with being posted in the Wildlife Protection section...www.rspb.org.uk/.../3070.aspx
However, your best bet is probably to try and get in touch with your local RSPB development officer or whatever they are called as they will be able to offer more specific advice relevent to your area, If you contact your local RSPB office they should be able to point you in the right direction :-)
Millie & Fly the Border Collies
Michelle, I would agree with KatTai's suggestion. The thing to remember is these are not RSPB red status birds but are nationally 'red status'.
The Cotswold Water park sightings website
My Flicker page
is there an application in yet? Harm to countryside is a material consideration - so yes there is a legitimate objection to this in planning law
I would suggest you contact CPRE as they have done an excellent job opposing some similar schemes in my neck of the woods.
Thanks - I will contact the local office & see what they say. They have done an ecological report for the area and have mentioned the Tree Sparrows in it but no more than that. They have said they are a 'notable species'. No mention of the lapwings at all but it was Feb when they did it. We do also have lots of bats. They have mentioned these & suggested that further investigation takes place by a bat expert but no signs of roosting sites. This is rubbish as we have bat boxes up throughout the woods! They use the field the car park is going in to fly across to come in to roost.
PCG said: I am Secretary for a local Woodland Conservation group. Next to one side of our wood is open fields. Plans have been put on to turn one of these fields into a 500 car car park. Locally we are very opposed to the whole plans for it especially as they are thinking of routing path through our woods which will involve remving 30+ trees. We also have tree sparrows just outside the woods that live in a tree which is in a hedge bordering the field to be turned into a car park. Also we have lapwings who nest in the field. We not that both these birds are RSPB Red Status birds. Can we use this as a legitimite opposition to the plans (one of many). We are very concerned about the tree sparrows in particular. They go between 3 trees and although the trees will remain in place they will be greatly affected by the work. We feel this is unacceptable and are concerned. Any help/opinions wold be useful please. Thanks Michelle
Hi Michelle and welcome to the RSPB Forum. Enjoy yourself here
You have come to the right place to talk about the issues close to your heart about the subject of birds.
I can see your problem as you have described on here. Is there an 'written' agreement to cut down the trees? Are they broadleaved? Has that been legilised at all? Get in touch with the Tree Preservation people if you think this would stop the work.
I know form my work experience in the Water board that there is always a big deal when it comes to removing any trees in an area! One reason they are removed is that they are deemed unsafe to the public and need to be removed for that reason alone. Of course other reasons creep in too.
Of course the RSPB moderators can give you hints and tips as what to do. Get in touch with the BTO people too as they are always concerned about rare birds? It is a serious issue you have going on here.
It needs to have all parties involved doing the right thing for the environment and the wildlife that lives there.
Let us know what you decide to do?
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Hi Michelle
I also meant to mention that the Tree Preservation people are in Scotland
Your 'working' office might be the same people but under a different namesake
Is there a planning application in? If so there will be a deadline for any responses and objections. You should have a look at your planning area core strategy or local plan as this will outline what is and what is not acceptable in planning terms for your area. You will be able to view the application online or go in to the planning office to see it. In particular look at the design and access statement and the ecology report, there might be an arboricultural report as well. As your society own the trees the applicant must serve you with a notice of intent.
Have you contacted your local councillor? They should be able to advise and possibly support you in this, as should your MP. The parish council, if you have one might be able to support an objection to the application. You might also have a word with the borough/town councils arboricultural officer as they will certainly have an opinion. There is a lot of interest in the upcoming localism bill which might affect applications such as this.
If this is speculation or pre application consultation then you obviously have more time but the more local people you can get onside the better.
Good luck