Natural England (NE) has called for more information about the impact of a holiday park development in Robinson Road, Brightlingsea, on the local population of curlews after questioning information supplied by the developer.
NE – the government’s advising body on the natural environment – has said that if it goes ahead, the park might have to close for three months in the winter to prevent disturbance to the protected species.
In November, Tendring District Council (TDC) approved the Lower Farm development – which includes holiday lodges, retirement homes, houses and leisure facilities. However, an email from Natural England – received just hours before the planning meeting – questioned a survey by the park’s developers about the number of curlews using the site and suggested that there were more than it stated.
Although councillors approved the developent unanimously, they did so on the proviso that NE should be consulted and, depending on its findings, would look again at the proposal. The original information about bird numbers was supplied to NE by the Brightlingsea Nature Network (BNN).
Calling for an assessment of the development and how it might affect the special proection area in the Colne estuary the NE said: “As submitted, the application could have potential significant effects on internationally designated Essex coastal sites. Natural England requires further information in order to determine the significance of these impacts and the scope for mitigation.”
In a letter to TDC, NE added: “With regard to the use of the site for tourist accommodation, we note that the lodges will not be open all year round. We recommend that a closed period during the winter months, ie beginning December to end February, could be conditioned to avoid recreational disturbance issues during the most sensitive winter months.”
The BNN has said that since the planning meeting, the British Naturalists Association, Essex Wildlife Trust and Dr Simon Cox of the British Trust for Ornithology have come forward with more information on the value of Lower Farm and Brightlingsea Creek to wildlife.
“We are very grateful to Natural England for consulting their ornithology specialists who have advised the site could be used by Curlew during high tide or adverse weather,” said the BNN. “We’re delighted that Brightlingsea is being recognised as the special place it is for wildlife.”
A spokeman for TDC said that “no decision making is taking place until Natural England’s position is clear” and that the developer, Corby-based Artemis (Brightlingsea), has been asked for more information by NE.
