Construction brings fears for Burnley wildlife haven (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Construction brings fears for Burnley wildlife haven

2:10pm Saturday 27th August 2011 in Briercliffe By Peter Magill, Chief reporter

A PLEA from beyond the grave to preserve a wildlife haven in Burnley has been turned down by council planners.

John Goodier, of Thorn Tree, off Halifax Road, Briercliffe, had campaigned against the construction of a natural pond at nearby Foulds House Farm.

But Mr Goodier died last Sunday and it was left to his daughter Holly Goodier to champion his cause before Burnley Council’s development control committee.

She told councillors that an existing pond at Thorn Tree was dependent on water from two locations adjacent to the water-course.

And Miss Goodier feared that the construction of the new pond would interrupt the flow and leave Thorn Tree’s pond barren.

“The simple pleasure of watching the newts, frogs and toads, which use the pond, would be lost,” she added.

Coun Cosima Towneley said it appeared that the Environment Agency assessment had only concentrated on the new pond and not considered a more wide-ranging ecological impact.

“The fact is that once the damage is done and the watercourse is changed, then there is nothing you can do to bring it back,” she added.

But planning head Sue Graham said the agency’s studies had considered the ecology of the area and could not foresee any difficulties.

Councillors approved the proposals, lodged on behalf of Andrew Pevitt, on condition that the pond did not interfere with any watercourse connected with it.

Coun Frank Cant added: “I would be prepared to put my faith in what the Environment Agency has said.”

Mr Goodier was a junior mayor of Burnley 55 years ago, and was presented with a special award in 1990 by the borough for his work in regenerating the 16th century Foulds House.