Readers of Bird Forum will be aware of the long-running dispute at Church Cove, the Lizard, Cornwall, where South West Water are proposing to install a transfer pumping station (TPS) in a copse there. The purpose of this thread is to bring the situation up to date and to make a further appeal from members who care about this location to make their views known to SWW in a positive and constructive way.
Church Cove was heavily wooded with mature elms until the 1970s, when Dutch Elm disease completely changed the landscape. In an attempt to put something back into the community and to compensate for some of the trees lost, retired postman Edwin Carter and others planted a copse at the top of the cove, which has been maintained for the last 11 years. Church Cove itself is a well-known location, which is very popular with visiting birders. Its easterly aspect at the southern-most tip of mainland Britain means that it is a favoured location for migrant birds. There are very few areas of woodland on the Lizard, so that even small areas such as this are important for migrant and nesting birds. The wood is also used by badgers; bats are also present in the area and evidence suggests that they are roosting in some of the trees on the boundary of the copse. No invertebrate survey or breeding bird survey has been carried out, according to the Environmental Impact Assessment. Barn Owls are also present in the area and nested less than 100yds away in 2002.
SWW have planning permission to proceed with the construction of the TPS in the copse and now own the land in question. For the last month a protest involving local people has been taking place to show the level of feeling against this controversial proposal. An alternative site has been suggested by the local community, which would make use of open land and would increase the number of trees in the area due to the necessary screening. An overwhelming majority of Church Cove residents recently signed a petition requesting that this site be used.
Despite the intensity of local feeling, the lack of a thorough survey of the habitat about to be destroyed and numerous letters of objection sent when the proposal was under consideration, thus far SWW have remained determined to press ahead with their plans to cut down approximately 60 trees and do not appear to have given proper consideration to the alternative site that the locals would like to see used. Were this just any developer such behaviour would perhaps be expected, but the water companies have biodiversity responsibilities under the Water Act. Of course SWW has a duty to its shareholders, but it also has a duty to its customers and to the wildlife of the area. To proceed with such destructive work without a thorough understanding of what species may be affected is irresponsible.
What SWW may not be aware of is how popular this area is for visiting birdwatchers and naturalists in general. If you have been to Church Cove or just care about some of the issues raised in general please e-mail [email protected], tel. 01392 446688 or write to: Peninsula House, Rydon Lane, Exeter, EX2 7HR.
Below is set out a suggested e-mail that you can cut and paste into your own message.
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am e-mailing you to ask that South West Water reconsider their plans to install a transfer pumping station in the copse at Church Cove on the Lizard peninsula, Cornwall, and look for an alternative and less sensitive site, in keeping with the wishes of the local community. Church Cove is a much-loved site amongst birdwatchers and naturalists around the country, as well as to holiday makers in general, and the loss of this copse will have a negative impact upon the biodiversity of the area, as well as those people who come to appreciate it.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Church Cove was heavily wooded with mature elms until the 1970s, when Dutch Elm disease completely changed the landscape. In an attempt to put something back into the community and to compensate for some of the trees lost, retired postman Edwin Carter and others planted a copse at the top of the cove, which has been maintained for the last 11 years. Church Cove itself is a well-known location, which is very popular with visiting birders. Its easterly aspect at the southern-most tip of mainland Britain means that it is a favoured location for migrant birds. There are very few areas of woodland on the Lizard, so that even small areas such as this are important for migrant and nesting birds. The wood is also used by badgers; bats are also present in the area and evidence suggests that they are roosting in some of the trees on the boundary of the copse. No invertebrate survey or breeding bird survey has been carried out, according to the Environmental Impact Assessment. Barn Owls are also present in the area and nested less than 100yds away in 2002.
SWW have planning permission to proceed with the construction of the TPS in the copse and now own the land in question. For the last month a protest involving local people has been taking place to show the level of feeling against this controversial proposal. An alternative site has been suggested by the local community, which would make use of open land and would increase the number of trees in the area due to the necessary screening. An overwhelming majority of Church Cove residents recently signed a petition requesting that this site be used.
Despite the intensity of local feeling, the lack of a thorough survey of the habitat about to be destroyed and numerous letters of objection sent when the proposal was under consideration, thus far SWW have remained determined to press ahead with their plans to cut down approximately 60 trees and do not appear to have given proper consideration to the alternative site that the locals would like to see used. Were this just any developer such behaviour would perhaps be expected, but the water companies have biodiversity responsibilities under the Water Act. Of course SWW has a duty to its shareholders, but it also has a duty to its customers and to the wildlife of the area. To proceed with such destructive work without a thorough understanding of what species may be affected is irresponsible.
What SWW may not be aware of is how popular this area is for visiting birdwatchers and naturalists in general. If you have been to Church Cove or just care about some of the issues raised in general please e-mail [email protected], tel. 01392 446688 or write to: Peninsula House, Rydon Lane, Exeter, EX2 7HR.
Below is set out a suggested e-mail that you can cut and paste into your own message.
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am e-mailing you to ask that South West Water reconsider their plans to install a transfer pumping station in the copse at Church Cove on the Lizard peninsula, Cornwall, and look for an alternative and less sensitive site, in keeping with the wishes of the local community. Church Cove is a much-loved site amongst birdwatchers and naturalists around the country, as well as to holiday makers in general, and the loss of this copse will have a negative impact upon the biodiversity of the area, as well as those people who come to appreciate it.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,