Message from Rob. Lidstone-Scott |
Dear All, Whilst speaking to Rob. last evening on another matter, he asked if I could pass this following message around for members to write to the Environment Agency in support of the scheme, if they feel able to do so. The Trust is in favour of the scheme but there has been some opposition from some other sources so Rob has been asked to drum up some support. Best wishes Jennie Redpath. |
THE PYES HALL PROJECTThe Environment Agency (E.A.) has determined that there is a need for flood defence construction in several bits of the inner Humber in order to protect homes, industry and farmland. These hard defences will result in the eventual loss of mudflat and saltmarsh habitat within the Humber Special Area of Conservation (S.A.C.) as sea level rise meets the hard defences and squeezes out the shore in between. Under the European Habitats Directive, the essential defences within the Humber cannot continue unless new marsh/mudflats are created outside the S.A.C. The E.A. proposes to flood about 350 acres of farmland adjacent to the Donna Nook N.N.R. A new sea bank would be built, a breach made in the old bank, and the newly enclosed area opened to tidal flooding; new mudflat and saltmarsh should develop. In addition, the proposal would be to create some raised areas suitable for little terns to breed and the area between the newly built sea wall and the much older lower wall beyond might develop into dune slack area and managed for a rich grassland flora. A further area outside the new sea wall, and nearer to the current Stonebridge car park, might be created as a lagoon system to attract birds. The E.A. cannot do essential flood defences in the Humber if they don't provide some compensation habitat. This scheme will take prime agricultural land, but the result will be to protect even more land further up the estuary. The local area will have no reduction in its flood defence. New habitat.Sea level rise may soon cause the loss of regional little tern sites so creating more here will be a big plus. If individual Trust members are in favour of this scheme, the E.A. would welcome letters of support. You can send to: john.pygott@environment-agency.gov.uk or John Pygott, Rob Lidstone-Scott - L.W.T. Coastal Warden |