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29 August 2007
Trust works to protect Roswell Pits in Ely
The Wildlife Trust takes positive action to protect the whole site and its existing wildlife
The local Wildlife Trust is calling for the whole Roswell area to be promoted as a 'green space' for Ely, a place where wildlife can thrive and where local people can have free access to rich habitats and a more rural environment. The Trust is calling for East Cambridgeshire District Council to take the lead in developing a positive vision for this part of Ely, bringing together local people, conservation groups, government agencies and the various landowners.
"Two years ago the Trust worked with the District Council to develop and support a proposal for the creation of a country park for local people and wildlife, in this part of Ely” explained Martin Baker, Wildlife Trust conservation manager for Cambridgeshire, “But sadly, recent activities by the new landowner of the largest lake at Roswell Pits have become a major set back to achieving that vision.”
The Trust, which cares for a neighbouring part of the Roswell Pits area as a nature reserve, is dismayed by the apparent attempt of the new landowner to circumvent the usual planning process and to develop the site without proper public scrutiny.
"We have been doing our utmost to try and ensure that any developments by the new landowner do not go ahead without proper scrutiny of the plans, using our contacts with government agencies, local councils and other conservation organisations,” said Mr Baker. “We are also working closely with the Local Campaign for the Protection of Rural Ely group (LCPRE) which was established to protect this much valued local asset.”
While the landowner has submitted an application for a Certificate of Lawfulness, claiming that his planned activities do not require planning permission, the Wildlife Trust strongly disagrees with this claim and has written to East Cambridgeshire District Council expressing this view.
Mr Baker added, “The continuing failure of the landowner to submit a planning application is unacceptable. The Trust has had three meetings with the landowner and it seems clear that his long-term plans for the site are to develop a boating facility for a significant numbers of boats across much of the lake. This number of boats and the service facilities associated with them would undoubtedly constitute a marina development.”
"We believe it is time for Mr Tyrell to stop all activities and transport of equipment onto Roswell Pits and to submit a proper planning application covering the conversion of the pit to a marina, including a full Environmental Impact Assessment.”
As a rapidly growing city, it is essential that Ely’s residents have access on their doorstep to a high quality environment for informal recreation. This area is already rich in wildlife habitats, and there are opportunities to improve public access, in ways which do not excessively disturb the local wildlife. The Wildlife Trust is working with the LCPRE to develop an alternative 'Ely Wildspace' vision and is committed to continue to work with the local councils, government agencies, local people and other landowners to make this happen.
"We urge local people who support this idea and are concerned about current developments at Roswell to lend their support to the LCPRE, and also write directly to their local councillor to ask them to ensure the activities of the landowner are stopped and subjected to proper public scrutiny through the planning process” says Mr Baker. To do this please visit elywildspace.org.uk.