Wildlife trust warns of threat to nature reserve

CHESHIRE Wildlife Trust has expressed alarm over a threat to Moore Nature Reserve arising from Warrington’s Local Plan Preferred Development Option.
Part of the reserve has been suggested as a potential site for future development as part of the proposals for Port Warrington – and inland port on the Manchester Ship Canal.
The Trust’s evidence and planning manager, Rachel Giles, said: “We believe developing this site would be highly damaging to local biodiversity, the local community and would be environmentally unsustainable.
“We have submitted a response which outlines the harm a development on the nature reserve would cause to species such as dragonflies, bees, butterflies, breeding and wintering birds.
“We believe that the nature reserve should be protected from development.”
Moore Nature Reserve has areas of woodland, meadows, five large lakes and wetlands and is home to a diverse range of plants, animals, birds and mammals.
Situated between the Ship Canal and the River Mersey, the site has been managed as a nature reserve since 1991, following a period as a sand quarry. The site is managed by wardens employed by FCC Environment who operate the nearby landfill site. With its networks of pathways, bird hides and benches, the reserve has become a popular community location.
“Moore Nature Reserve is not only a haven for species but a great asset to the community. There is a bank of evidence of how visiting green spaces and getting outside helps people deal with stress and improve mental health.”
Charlotte Harris, chief executive officer at the Trust, said: “This site has become a go-to place for people in the community appreciating this benefit
“Owners of the land, Peel Holdings have it licenced as a landfill site, meaning that the nature reserve has to stay in existence until 2021, but then its future becomes vulnerable. We are urging Warrington Council to take heed our advice and the voice of the community on this issue.”
Peel Holdings have submitted part of the 200 acre reserve as part of the plans for Port Warrington.
The nature reserve is an important education resource for every age group from toddlers through to university students. More than 650 children have taken part in Cheshire Wildlife Trust’s education work at Moore Nature Reserve this year.
Another area of concern is the potential allocation of land in south Warrington as part of the “Garden City Suburb”
The area includes three designated Local Wildlife Sites and a number of important wildlife habitats including one of the highest densities of farm ponds in the Cheshire region.
The Trust is urging people to write to their MP expressing their concerns, even though the public consultation period has closed.