Tram inquiry hears 'wildlife harm' claim
WILDLIFE in Rushcliffe may never recover if a plan to build a new tram line through a popular area of green space is approved, a public inquiry has heard.
Environmentalists fear that residents and the environment would both be short-changed by a proposed land swap to accommodate an extension to the city's tram network.
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The Nottingham tram
Notts Wildlife Trust say a proposed new haven for wildlife on farmland near Silverdale would be a poor substitute for an existing 'green' walkway along the former Great Central Railway embankment in Wilford.
Nottingham city and Notts county councils want to use the embankment as part of its Phase Two tram extension to Clifton.
They plan to offer Rushcliffe Borough Council a low-lying piece of agricultural land south of Silverdale and next to Fairham Brook, a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC), in exchange.
But Dr Matthew Cowley, acting head of policy and planning at Notts Wildlife Trust, told the public inquiry the plans would damage ecology in the area.
He said: "Habitats to be created on the exchange land do not have the same ecological value in the short or long term.
"It could take 15 to 20 years to create habitats on this arable land, but it would be hard to create the same quality of environment as that lost (at the embankment) even in the long-term."
Dr Cowley, a director at Nottingham-based East Midlands Environmental Consultants Ltd, said the plans went against UK compulsory purchase laws.
Representatives from campaign group Environment Not Trams also gave evidence at the inquiry.
Group chairman Gordon Wheeler estimated it would take people living near the embankment around 20 minutes to walk to the new site along a public pathway to be created alongside the tram route.
"The footpath will create a long, unattractive walk along the tram line to get to the new site," he said.
"The existing corridor is a peaceful, natural haven for wildlife – not a tram route with trams hurtling by at up to 50mph. It would no longer be peaceful or enjoyable."
The two-day inquiry ended yesterday.
Earlier, witnesses speaking on behalf of the councils said the new site would be a suitable replacement in terms of recreation and nature conservation.
Planning inspector Robert Barker carried out a site visit to both locations. A decision is expected early next year.
bryan.henesey@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk
2 Comments
by Steve Barber, Chair BACIT
Sunday, October 12 2008, 4:14PM
“Most of these people certainly were not in their current homes in Compton Acres Adrian, when the railway was operational. Those houses have only been built for 20 years, replacing a piece of open green land.”
by Adrian, Derbys
Thursday, October 09 2008, 12:11PM
“Why are we giving these people a voice, people come before animals and wildlife. The proposed route is along a former railway line, where were these people when this line was operational, they were not even listened too then.
Nottingham needs its infrastructure overhauling, both vehicular and public transport systems need improving to allow the city to expand and attract new businesses.
When Nottingham falls behind other cities, what are these people going to do about those put out of work, pay their mortgages, provide them with food, or even pay their bills! no is the answer.
Profits from a vibrant city can provide new environments for wildlife, even creating specialist wildlife habitats and protecting them from development for the long term future.
Ironically it is the hypocrisy of many of these people who claim to care for the environment which irritates me, they oppose a more environmentally transport solution, and try to find excuses to oppose it.
Do they all want us walking everywhere and not using any form of transport, do they want to wreck the continued expansion of a city, and do they want to deliberately put people out of work.”