MANY thanks for bringing an environmental issue to the front page of the Bury Times (April 18), concerning the destruction of the Site of Biological Importance (SBI) at Pilsworth.
This site was so designated mainly for several species of orchid and was cleared over a weekend, with the council powerless to prevent the devastation by a company owned by a Mr Lorne Entwistle.
Mr Entwistle has since come out with all sorts of nonsense to justify the removal of virtually all wildlife from the site.
He says a full assessment of wildlife has taken place. If that is the case -- which is unlikely -- he was fully aware of what he was destroying, though his quotes in the Bury Times indicate that he doesn't understand it.
The destruction would almost certainly have included disturbance of nesting birds -- an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 -- but the "evidence" was fed through a large chipper.
This quote is a cracker: "We have thinned-out trees and intend to actually promote the welfare of wildlife at the site, which was becoming overgrown and starved of oxygen".
The site is now devoid of trees and they have been "thinned" to wood-chip, not a material well-known for giving off oxygen.
He also says that it will be established in 12 months and will be an asset to the borough. The SBI was an asset to the borough -- it has now gone. Will this site be an SBI in 12 months? Not a chance. A gang-mown patch of turf and a few non-native shrubs is the likely replacement. Perhaps he will plant a few oxygen bottles just to benefit the wildlife.
Mr Entwistle is the boss of Garic Plant Hire, "praised" at the town's Environment Awards. They "intend to take full credit" for this. Perhaps that means more praise from the Environment Awards organisers, or will justice prevail and will their environmental awards be withdrawn?
Developers like this are not uncommon. So keep an eye on your own wildlife sites, wherever you may be -- and especially at weekends when council offices are closed.
MARTIN PRESCOTT,
chairman, Hollins
Conservation Group.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article