What’s new?
30 July 2007
Roswell Pits Nature Reserve, Cambridgeshire
A response from the local Wildlife Trust
One of the former clay pits at Roswell Lakes (that used by the sailing club) has recently been bought by a new owner. The new owner has ambitions to create moorings and possibly a full-scale marina within this lake.
Much of the Roswell Pits area has been selected as a County Wildlife Site because of the richness of its wildlife. Part of it is also a Wildlife Trust nature reserve. The area contains a rich variety of habitats on the north-eastern edge of Ely, with reedbeds, lakes, species-rich grassland and woodland, hedgerows, shrubs and old trees. Birds such as marsh harrier and cetti’s warbler breed and bittern have been regularly recorded in the area. The lakes contain a wide variety of aquatic plants with several species of dragonflies and damselflies recorded. Some of the meadows and the land around the lakes support a variety of wild plants and orchids can occasionally be found. Butterflies and many other nectar feeding insects will be seen visiting these flowers. Other species of interest include unusual plants such as the greater horsetail, a member of a very primitive family that has been around since before the time of the dinosaurs. Further links with the past include the clay slopes around Roswell Lakes, part of which have been designated as a geological Site of Special Scientific Interest because of the Kimmeridge clay that supports a rich fossil fauna.
Towards the end of 2006, the owner sought the advice of the Wildlife Trust regarding management of trees and shrubs, along the south-eastern edge of the lake where he wanted to create an access track. The landowner was within his rights to undertake this management and cleared the minimum number of trees, before the bird breeding season, in line with our advice. At the same time the landowner sought the advice of Natural England regarding management work to the geological SSSI, which is along the northern slopes of the pit. The extent and timing of some of this work has led to significant local concern. Natural England has issued consents for some of this work which has now been completed and any new works will require a new consent.
At a meeting with the Wildlife Trust in March 2007, the landowner lead the Trust to believe that he would be submitting a planning application in late spring/early summer regarding his plan to create moorings and facilities at the pits. This would have given the Trust and local people an opportunity to register our views and influence what happens at the pit. However, as yet no planning application has been forthcoming, though we understand that one might now be submitted in late summer or the autumn. The owner has commenced preparatory work for his development and has suggested that the works form permitted development and so do not require planning permission. As such he has submitted an application for a Certificate of Lawfulness. The Wildlife Trust believes that this is unacceptable and has challenged the application for a Certificate of Lawfulness.
The Wildlife Trust believes that the owner should formally and publicly declare his long term plans for the lake and as this involves a significant number of moorings that this should be viewed as a marina development. The landowner should therefore prepare a formal planning application and as a marina development in an environmentally sensitive location this should be accompanied by a full Environmental Impact Assessment.
The Wildlife Trust will strongly oppose such a development if it is likely to have significant adverse impacts on local wildlife. Such a development would also impact significantly on local amenity and the rural feel of the area and limit other positive uses of the area.
The Wildlife Trust believes that an alternative positive use for the area should be promoted. The Roswell area should be promoted as a “green lung” for Ely, a place where wildlife can thrive and where local people can have free access to rich habitats and a more rural environment. As a rapidly growing town, it is essential that existing and future residents have access on their doorstep to a high quality environment for informal recreation. The Roswell area is already rich in wildlife habitats, yet these could be enhanced further through sensitive stewardship. Opportunities for improved public access, in areas where this doesn’t excessively disturb the local wildlife, could also be provided. The Wildlife Trust will work with the local councils, local people and other landowners to help realise this alternative positive “Ely Wildspace” vision.
Martin Baker
Conservation manager
July 2007