PWG Environmental Concerns
The Protect Wyre Group (PWG) have serious concerns regarding the proposed development envisaged by Canatxx Gas Storage (CGS) on the Preesall saltfield and also affecting the Wyre Estuary, parts of the Fleetwood peninsular and the Irish sea off Rossall.
Those concerns are, quite naturally, the health and safety of the people who live and work in the area but also we have environmental concerns which we share with a number of well known and respected ecological, environmental and conservation organisations.
These organisations include, in particular, The Lancashire Wildlife Trust (Kim Wisdom) English Nature (Liam Fisher) The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (Tim Melling) The Campaign to Protect Rural England (Robert Lobell) The Environment Agency (Kate Cox) The Salmon and Trout Association (Mike Horner)
All these organisations have made, or are planning to make, representations to Lancashire County with their concerns regarding the proposed development. All planning applications for developments that are likely to affect the wider environment by virtue of their
size or geographical location, must be accompanied by a document called an Environmental Statement (ES) which describes an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the development on the particular environment in which it is placed.
The definition of environment in this case is quite wide ranging and, in particular, impacts on people, places, habitats, species etc.
The referenced planning application is indeed accompanied by an ES but it has been criticised by the above referenced organisations in several respects regarding, insufficiency, omissions, inaccuracies and in one case in particular (ref: LWT submission to LCC) a contradiction of information.
The above is bad enough with respect to an ES for an application having a potentially damaging impact on the environment but it is particularly unacceptable when the organisation concerned, Hyder, (retained by the applicant for this purpose) has actually produced guidance for the European Commission regarding the completeness and accuracy of ES’s in general.
In this case Hyder should be particularly criticised for producing such a cursory document not respecting even the most basic principles of EIA which Hyder themselves subscribe to.
Particular Environmental concerns inadequately treated in the ES
Basically our concerns are of 3 main types namely the likely detrimental impact of the proposed development on places, habitats and species.
1. Places. - These are essentially geographical areas or sites designated of being of particular environmental importance. These range from those sites that have an international designation. (E.g. SPA/SAC/RAMSAR), through nationally important sites (e.g. NNR, SSSI), to the county level sites (e.g. BHS). Examples of all three site categories are potentially affected by the proposed development.
2. Habitats. - These are dominant ecological characteristics within an area. Again we have a number of distinct habitats in the area potentially affected by this proposal. In particular, saltmarsh, dune and, of course, the watery habitats of the sea, ponds, ditches and rivers especially the Wyre estuary.
3. Species. - Species include, of course, us - the human species but also a range of plants, birds, insects and animals especially those are rather rare that are potentially detrimentally affected by the proposed development.
These three elements are often put together so that we can talk about a particular place with a habitat suitable for particular species.
Examples of concerns:
Within the wider Morecambe Bay Special Protection Area (SPA), we have a number of specific concerns e.g. that part of the proposed development at Arm Hill because it is an important high tide roost for waterfowl.
In addition, there will be the potential loss of the wintering habitat required for a particular bird species, pink footed geese.
Within the Wyre Estuary SSSI, part of the Morecambe SPA, again relating to Arm Hill, a particular habitat is likely to be severely compromised.
It is possible that approx 20% of the saltmarsh habitat of the SSSI could be lost permanently and also a particular sub species of the rare plant, Rock Sea Lavender (RSL) could be severely affected. This particular variety (Celtica) of the RSL only exists in Britain and even here in a few very small areas. We are fortunate that one of these is at Arm Hill – for the moment!
The maritime environment is also a cause of great concern. The proposed development envisages the discharge of a lethal concentration of salt water into the Irish Sea (between Rossall School and Fleetwood dock) which would lead to a kind of “dead sea” pocket around the point of discharge. Apart from the localised killing of all the marine life in the vicinity, this could have a further damaging effect
on particular fish species either killing them entirely or at least confusing them so that they cannot find their way into the rivers in which they spawned.
Three important salmon and trout rivers are potentially affected in this way, namely the Lune, the Wyre and the Ribble.
Concerning impacts on fish species, the Wild Atlantic Salmon is, according to Dr. Mike Horner of the local branch of the Salmon and Trout Association, No 10 on Europe’s most threatened species (not just fish) list and this important species of fish could be further severely affected by this “dead sea” effect.
Other protected species potentially adversely affected by the proposed development include water voles, Great Created Newts and even insects such as “Roesels Bush Cricket” and a locally rare snail.
These species are found in several areas on both sides of the Wyre Estuary and are potentially threatened by the works associated with the brine discharge pipeline in particular.
Conclusion
Taken all in all, the proposed development raises environmental issues which cause concern not just to the PWG but to a number of respected wildlife, conservation, ecological and environmental organisations.
The evidence provided in their representations strongly suggests that this proposed development could be an environmental disaster for this area.
Robert Lobell, Environmental Coordinator – Protect Wyre Group