A retrospective planning application for a viewing platform at Woolston Eyes nature reserve has been unanimously approved by town planners.
Woolston Parish Council dropped their objection to access paths to the viewing platform.
Their speaker Parish Councillor David Nowell focussed on access on the viewing platform and said he believed that WECG had a policy of barring disabled people from the platform.
But Brian Martin from the Woolston Eyes Conservation Group denied this and said that there were no restrictions there or anywhere on site provided members followed appropriate health and safety measures.
He said that the committee were looking at shortening the route to the platform with other measures to improve access and safety for all members.
The Eyes is one of the UK best wetland sites and has a growing and enthusiastic membership.
The viewing platform, which cost £22,000 to build,d was erected in good faith by the Woolston Eyes Conservation Group, in the belief that it did not require planning permission.
But it did – and Woolston Parish Council had objected, saying there is no provision for disabled users.
Woolston Eyes is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is a nationally important site for migrating birds.
Planning officers had recommended the scheme be approved.
They said the viewing platform did not constitute inappropriate development within the Green Belt, had not had an adverse impact on the landscape and provided facilities to gain enhanced views of the wetland, to assist in the monitoring of bird populations and the conservation of the nature reserve.
Geoff Settle, Chair of the Warrington Nature Conservation Forum, fully supported the application.
He said: “It is a fantastic asset and essential in furthering the great work the Woolston Eyes Conservation Group (WECG) do in maintaining a unique and renowned Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI) wetland reserve.
“From the viewing platform, you can see the top of St Elphin’s church tower, just over a mile away. This hidden wetland gem simply consists of water, trees (that shield the site) and birds.
He added: “Charlotte Nichols MP accepted my invitation to visit the reserve at the start of this year but Brian Martin our very knowledgeable host advised me to wait until the rare, black-necked grebes had arrived to nest in May. By this time Charlotte had heard about the platform and asked if she could see it. She described the place as an ‘Amazing Oasis of Calm’ and said that the decision was a council one and that she supported its retention.
” I am very pleased that the officer’s report recommends approval. It describes the remote wilderness of the SSSI well and the challenges that face visitors, both abled and disabled. It is a unique place that has been developed by WECG over 44 years with Natural England and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), the platform is the latest collaboration.”
1 Comment
Many thanks for this report. I am very pleased for Brian Martin and Dave Bowman who have put so much of their lives into the Woolston Eyes Projects and their members over many decades. It is a unique SSSI reserve and an incredible man made Wetland with Chris Packham as it’s patron. I took over from Brian as Chair of Warrington Nature Conservation Forum, I think back in 2009 the year before I was elected as a Borough Council. I remember saying to the members when I was elected that they were the experts and I would champion their causes. They have taught me so much and Brian has been a fantastic mentor teaching me loads. I had no option but to champion the viewing platform because of it’s special circumstances that are very similar to the RSPB Leighton Moss Sky Tower at Silverdale, Cumbria.