Weston Otmoor: an eco-town ecological disaster
Show Stopper
The short-list of 15 proposed eco-town developments has been issued today by the Department for Communities and Local Government following an assessment of around 30 sites in an initial screening. This screening was aimed at removing proposals with potential ‘show-stoppers’, and yet this proposal has somehow remained on the list.
Some of the important meadows are owned and managed by BBOWT as our Woodsides Meadow Nature Reserve, and yet to-date we have had no formal consultation on the proposals. The grassland habitats found at this site are extremely rare and important in a national context supporting a range of important plant species, including orchids, as well as breeding snipe and curlew. Despite the fact that it benefits from legal protection, it may now be under threat from large-scale housing development that is being promoted on its ‘eco’ credentials.
Philippa Lyons, Chief Executive of BBOWT said ‘Whilst we are not opposed to the concept of eco-towns, the current plans for this development take in not only our own nature reserve, but also another area of nationally protected grassland and ancient woodland. If the scheme goes ahead and those sites are included it sends out an extremely damaging message about what the Government considers to be ‘sustainable’ development.
Furthermore, we find it outrageous that a developer can come forward with a proposal covering land BBOWT owns and has been protecting for wildlife for nearly twenty years, yet we have not even been consulted. How anyone can call this an ‘eco’ town is completely beyond belief'.
Please visit http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/WestonOtmoor/ and sign the e-petition to the Prime Minister to remove the Weston Otmoor Eco-Town proposal from the shortlist, and encorage as many people as possible to do the same.
Threatened Sites and Plants
- The designated site affected by this proposed Eco-town is known as Wendlebury Meads and Mansmoor Closes SSSI. It is comprised of over 70ha of traditionally managed botanically rich hay meadows. The site is protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. BBOWT bought 4ha in 1989 to try and ensure its future protection. The reserve is known as Woodsides Meadow Nature Reserve, and is considered to be one of the jewels in the BBOWT crown.
- Some of the important botanical species found on-site include; sneezewort, common spotted orchid, green winged orchid, Devil’s bit scabious, common milkwort, cowslip and saw-wort. Snipe and curlew are also known to breed at the SSSI and skylark are a common sight in the meadows.