Gorrick Wood car park plan withdrawn

The developer has withdawn an application to extend a small car park on Nine mile Ride and provide greater access into Gorrick Wood (Bramshill Forest). The ROC had objected to the proposal because it would have resulted in substantially greater public use of an area that is important for a number of red and amber list species: Woodlark, Nightjar, Woodcock, Redstart. We do not know whether a revised proposal is planned.

This is part of a large area of woodland and heath in the Berkshire/Surrey/Hampshire border area that faces repeated development threats. Whilst recognising the need for new housing and for access to the countryside, the ROC is concerned that developments do not endanger already threatened bird species.

Renton Righelato –

Kennet Valley Park ? the real threat to a crucial Berkshire ornithological site

Those of you who attended the exhibition at Calcot Hotel on 2nd, 3rd and 4th of July will know that Prudential and the consortium will be submitting their planning application by the end of this month. The area under development threat is roughly from south of the Kennet and Avon Canal to the motorway, land and lakes east of Moatlands and limited in the west by the Reading to Basingstoke railway line. Generally the area is what we know as Burghfield Gravel Pits including Searles Lane farm area but much more land and lakes are affected right from the Bottom Lane area in the west. This application follows the main approach of the previous proposal but more detail has been fleshed out including some relating to the protection of the ?meadows? area between Reading and the Kennet and Avon canal. I spent almost two hours in meetings with the Prudential?s ecological consultants discussing their work and ideas during the exhibition. There are two things we need to understand in particular:

The planning application and its merits or otherwise

While we probably all object to this application on ornithological or wildlife grounds, there are other aspects that may deserve concern. The proposal may have merit, given the need for housing in the area, particularly for young people, but if we support this point we need to be comfortable it is not ultimately developed as an exclusive waterside development aimed at providing premium price properties. We believe the Environment Agency is opposed to the development as it lies in the flood plain and while the Pru?s team have developed counter measures (mainly removing islands in and deepening Theale Main and developing high banks to retain deep water as a reservoir in times of flood) it is expected the EA?s opposition will lead to this arriving on the Environment Secretary?s desk for a decision after a Public Appeal Hearing.
Some sources suggest West Berks Council will also oppose the development, it is largely within their boundary, on the grounds that such a large scale development is not required under the plans for the Authority. Part of the development, closest to the railway line, mainly east of Cottage Lane, is Reading Borough Council land and will constitute the first phase. Martin Salter, Reading?s MP is opposed to the development while the EA opposes it.
Concern will be expressed about basic services, some have been addressed in the short term by the developers with schools and a station being planned but the long term cost of bus and transport systems, the impact on hospitals (the Royal Berks is hardly the most expandable hospital), water supplies, local roads etc have not been fully presented yet. A particular concern is the impact on Burghfield Road where the development proposal includes no upgrading of the bridge and while the aim is to divert traffic to other routes via existing motorway junctions and connections it seems likely this shortest route into Reading will be swamped.

Ornithology and wildlife

I have had meetings with BBOWT and am in dialogue with RSPB about the area. The key ornithological concern is the regionally important Nightingale population and the RSPB supports us on this aspect. The area is a Wildlife Heritage site designated by West Berks Council but this is not sufficient designation to offer strong protection on its own. Burghfield gravel pits contains Berkshire?s largest heronry and nationally important numbers of Gadwall in winter. Our arguments will be based on the breadth and density of birdlife in the area although the developers have a thorough and detailed Environmental Impact Assessment which contains a deal of detailed data. They propose to try some relocation of species by habitat creation which will have a positive impact, if successful but this is not a proven approach.
The ?meadows? will be developed in a trust and the aim would be to create wet areas and scrapes etc with banks and ditches to border them so wildlife can be protected from the influx of people. Whether this can work is open to conjecture and the details of the management and financial funding of the trust are still unclear. A reserve centre is catered for. The ROC has been offered input to this but at present we have other concerns to address including any impact on Hosehill Lake, whether the removal of the islands for terns will be addressed, the impact on Moatlands of the road across the south east corner, the affect of housing on the Field Farm infill site on this area, the impact on Bottom lane floods etc, etc.

Summary

These comments barely scratch the surface of the issues to be addressed. While the ROC will try to stay engaged we urge those who agree with our stance to object on whatever grounds they feel are important. We believe there is a case to object on the grounds of the irreparable damage to wildlife, especially birds, in the area.
If any members or birdwatchers feel they can help us in tackling the issues through their experience or are willing to offer time for meetings and to help fight the proposal please make your name known to us as soon as possible.

Colin Wilson –

Moor Green Lakes ? proposed extension of gravel workings

CEMEX (formerly RMC) held an exhibition on 5 July as a preliminary to applying for planning permission to extract gravel from land west of Longwater Road and north of the River Blackwater at Eversley. At present, Moor Green Lakes reserve consists of the Colebrook Lakes and Grove Lake with Horseshoe Lake, the water sports centre, to the east, but work is already underway on the area called Manor Farm to the west of Moor Green Lakes which goes as far as the Longwater Road. This area is earmarked for nature conservation and reinstatement of the first section is already underway. Moor Green Lakes group is heavily involved in this.

The proposed new workings would not be deep, the gravel is in a thin seam, and the existing plant would be used to make it financially viable. Rules concerning traffic flows for lorries would remain the same as now. This means the gravel would pass on a conveyor under or over Longwater Road. Several reinstatement options were exhibited on 5 July and all of them offered a combination of wet grassland, reedbed, woodland and open water in various shapes and sizes. We have made a few preliminary observations about facilities, including paths, hides, linking of habitats with Manor Farm and a car park.

Taken together with Moor Green Lakes and Manor Farm we feel this extension of gravel workings would enhance an area becoming very attractive for birds and create a linkage of nature reserves of exciting proportions. Although local residents are likely to have many concerns about the extension of gravel digging the end result of the work is likely to be a much enhanced area for nature lovers and for peaceful recreation. Further details on the plans can be obtained from CEMEX and comments on the proposals are invited by emailing or writing to Ian Southcott, CEMEX UK Materials, CEMEX House, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 2DT or ian.southcott@cemex.co.uk.

Colin Wilson –

Climate Change meeting in Reading

The ROC has no political affiliations but we have been advised of a meeting in Reading on 29 June which may be of
interest to members and may provide an opportunity to hear views and opinions on this important subject. Please
see the attached details.

Colin Wilson –

Secretarial support needed for conservation charity

The Blackwater Valley Conservation Trust is a new charity established to assist in the development of the recreation and wildlife amenities of the Blackwater Valley which runs from Aldershot in the south to Swallowfield in the north where the river meets the Loddon.
The Trustees meet every month and need someone to act as Secretary, taking and distributing minutes, keeping records and generally assisting in the administrative tasks. The Trust is very small and is soon to be publicly launched so this is an exciting chance to be involved in its growth into an organisation assisting in the development of the valley.
The monthly meetings take place in the valley, currently at Farnborough, and sometimes at Ash near Aldershot. Computer access is important so minutes and communications can be sent by email, hence helping save costs and speed up the administration. For further details please contact Steve Bailey, Manager, Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership, Ash Lock Cottage, Government Road, Aldershot, Hants, GU11 2PS tel. 01252 331353 or speak to Colin Wilson at a meeting or on 01252 837411.

Colin Wilson –

Berkshire Rarities Committee

Until recently this has consisted of Peter Standley, Chris Heard and Derek Barker. Following Peter?s retirement as
Recorder various changes have been made to county procedures and structures and this Committee is therefore
changing. Peter?s experience and knowledge will be retained, as will the expertise of Chris Heard. However, Derek
Barker who will be the technical editor of the county bird report in future, is standing down and Ken Moore is
joining the BRC. Ken will be known to many birdwatchers in the County and we welcome his experience and skill and
welcome him to this new role.

Colin Wilson –

Bosnia Herzegovena – Raising the profile of birds and ecological issues

Trish Marcouse from Reading Urban Wildlife Group is working in Bosnia, helping them to start a birdwatching society and to record birds in the country. It is starting from virtually nothing. They have a childrens guide to birds, just published and are establishing 2 eco-schools. They badly need computers (Pentium 3 or above) and fieldguides, binoculars etc to help them. The binoculars can be of second quality as they will be better than nothing!

Ray Reedman has sought the help of the RAF to airlift items at no cost for this purpose so we are able to really help. I am personally donating a fieldguide (the old Collins Field Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe, Peterson, Mountfort and Hollom is favoured as they have a translation) but any guides with pictures would be helpful. I am also donating some old Swift binoculars. Do you think you can help also?

If you have something you think you can donate please bring it to a ROC meeting or hand it to a member of the Committee and they will get it to me. It would be good if the ROC could join the RUWG, who have given two computers already, and make Reading a recognised place for help to this project. If you want any more information please contact Colin on 01252 837411.

Colin Wilson –

Berkshire Biological Recorders Forum 2006

You are warmly welcomed to the annual Biological Recorders Day in Berkshire. This free event is open to all and aims to encourage Recorders and Recording Groups to share their experiences and exchange ideas and information with other wildlife enthusiasts.

St Mary?s Church Parish Centre
Church Road
Burghfield
Reading
RG30 3TG

SU 67097 68408

Saturday

Download application form

Berkshire Bird Records for 2004 ? last call

Work will shortly start on the 2004 Birds of Berkshire. We have a large database of records from
berksbirds.co.uk and Berks Bird Bulletin and other sources but the door
is still open for personal records to be submitted. The final date will be 31 March after which we cannot guarantee
your records will be included so please submit any you have as quickly as possible. All records should be on a
spreadsheet such as that on the following link. www.berksbirds.co.uk/submittingrecords.asp.

Colin Wilson –

Back copies of Bird Reports (March 2006)

Back copies of most of the Birds of Berkshire annual reports are currently in stock: all issues published for the years from and including 1979 except for 1985 and 1994/5 are available in return for a donation to the Birds of Berkshire Conservation Fund of at least £3/copy plus post/packing (£1 for one copy + £0.65/additional copy).

Also available: Hampshire Bird Report, 1989
Birds of Oxfordshire, 1992

If you have any old copies of The Birds of Berkshire Reports that you would like to donate to raise money for the Conservation Fund, please let us know.

To give or to get, please contact the Secretary, Renton Righelato (e mail renton.righelato@theroc.org.uk or telephone 0787 981 2564)

Renton Righelato –