100 signatures reached
To: Teignbridge District Council
Protect the Bird Habitats of The Exe Estuary
Dear Planning Team,
The Ridge Top Park in the Matford area of Exminster Parish, (Policy SWE3), must come forward before any development in either Matford or Alphington (SWE1), commences. In addition the delivery of the proposed mitigation by Teignbridge District Council is vague and the phasing currently proposed is unacceptable. There is also concern about the effectiveness of the Ridge Top Park Policy by classing this as a Suitable Alternative Green Space (SANGS) so close to The Exe Estuary SPA. There is no evidence or studies to suggest that such SANGS as is proposed will be effective in diverting new residents of SWE1 away from the estuarine nature of The Exe Estuary.
Please ensure that effective Mitigation is in place BEFORE development.
The Ridge Top Park in the Matford area of Exminster Parish, (Policy SWE3), must come forward before any development in either Matford or Alphington (SWE1), commences. In addition the delivery of the proposed mitigation by Teignbridge District Council is vague and the phasing currently proposed is unacceptable. There is also concern about the effectiveness of the Ridge Top Park Policy by classing this as a Suitable Alternative Green Space (SANGS) so close to The Exe Estuary SPA. There is no evidence or studies to suggest that such SANGS as is proposed will be effective in diverting new residents of SWE1 away from the estuarine nature of The Exe Estuary.
Please ensure that effective Mitigation is in place BEFORE development.
Why is this important?
The Teignbridge Local Plan which has just been adopted, has a policy to allocate 2000 new houses in the Matford area of Exminster Parish and a further 500 houses in the adjoining Alphington part of Exeter. This is a total of 2500 new houses which will generate 5750 new residents. There is currently a Draft Development Framework for SWE1 and SWE3 out for for consultation with an end date of 23rd May.
It is very important that Teignbridge District Council ensure that the proposed mitigation to encourage the residents of the new development to use the new Ridge Top Park for recreation and dog walking rather than visit The Exe Estuary SPA, is put in place before any development starts.
Exminster has already had one bird habitat destroyed when the Cirl bunting habitat on NHS land at Hillcrest was deliberately sprayed with weed killer to destroy the crops sown by the RSPB for the Cirl Buntings winter feed. The hedges and hedgerows were then cut back severely to remove the habitat where the Cirl Buntings lived. This happened last November when Planning Consultants were assessing Hillcrest for possible housing development in the future.
The Exe Estuary, which includes the RSPB Exminster Marshes Reserve, is now at risk. Studies such as The Exe Disturbance Study clearly show that the increased number of people using the area for recreation and dog walking is already impacting on the birds and their habitat. Teignbridge District Council has carried out Assessments under The Habitats Directive. They concluded that the SWE1 development is part of an in combination effect of around 12,400 houses in Teignbridge and this together with further 12,000 houses in Exeter and 15,000 houses in East Devon making a total of 39,400 houses over 20 years generating an additional 90,000 people will have a Likely Significant Effect on The Exe Estuary SPA. The provision of a 70 hectare Ridge Top Park (SWE3) as a Suitable Alternative Green Space (SANGS) as well as other proposed mitigation measures are needed to mitigate this.
The Exe Estuary was designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) in 1992. It is an internationally important site and is also designated as a Ramsar Site, European Marine Site and Site of Special Scientific interest (SSSI). It is a relatively small estuary but one which supports and sustains a wide range of designated habitats and species. The Exe Estuary also qualifies under Article 4.1 of The Birds Directive by supporting overwintering populations of Avocet (being one of only three SPAs classified for non breeding Avocets) and the Slavonian Grebe. The Exe Estuary also qualifies under Article 4.2 of The Birds Directive by supporting overwintering populations of migratory species and as a site supporting an internationally important assemblage of birds. More than 20,000 wintering waterfowl are found here including Black Tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Lapwing, Grey Plover, Oystercatcher, Red Breasted Merganser, Wigeon and Dark Bellied Brent Goose. There is potential harm if development near to The Exe Estuary goes ahead without appropriate mitigation in place, to the ongoing ability of The Exe Estuary to support and sustain its designated habitat and species.
The Exe Estuary is a particularly small Estuary meaning that there is potentially little space for PEOPLE and BIRDS.
The Bird Habitats of The Exe Estuary must be prevented from further harm.
Teignbridge District Council, as the competent authority, has a duty to ensure the protection of sites such as The Exe Estuary which is classified for its habitats and species of European importance. Please help us to make sure they do by signing the Petition.
It is very important that Teignbridge District Council ensure that the proposed mitigation to encourage the residents of the new development to use the new Ridge Top Park for recreation and dog walking rather than visit The Exe Estuary SPA, is put in place before any development starts.
Exminster has already had one bird habitat destroyed when the Cirl bunting habitat on NHS land at Hillcrest was deliberately sprayed with weed killer to destroy the crops sown by the RSPB for the Cirl Buntings winter feed. The hedges and hedgerows were then cut back severely to remove the habitat where the Cirl Buntings lived. This happened last November when Planning Consultants were assessing Hillcrest for possible housing development in the future.
The Exe Estuary, which includes the RSPB Exminster Marshes Reserve, is now at risk. Studies such as The Exe Disturbance Study clearly show that the increased number of people using the area for recreation and dog walking is already impacting on the birds and their habitat. Teignbridge District Council has carried out Assessments under The Habitats Directive. They concluded that the SWE1 development is part of an in combination effect of around 12,400 houses in Teignbridge and this together with further 12,000 houses in Exeter and 15,000 houses in East Devon making a total of 39,400 houses over 20 years generating an additional 90,000 people will have a Likely Significant Effect on The Exe Estuary SPA. The provision of a 70 hectare Ridge Top Park (SWE3) as a Suitable Alternative Green Space (SANGS) as well as other proposed mitigation measures are needed to mitigate this.
The Exe Estuary was designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) in 1992. It is an internationally important site and is also designated as a Ramsar Site, European Marine Site and Site of Special Scientific interest (SSSI). It is a relatively small estuary but one which supports and sustains a wide range of designated habitats and species. The Exe Estuary also qualifies under Article 4.1 of The Birds Directive by supporting overwintering populations of Avocet (being one of only three SPAs classified for non breeding Avocets) and the Slavonian Grebe. The Exe Estuary also qualifies under Article 4.2 of The Birds Directive by supporting overwintering populations of migratory species and as a site supporting an internationally important assemblage of birds. More than 20,000 wintering waterfowl are found here including Black Tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Lapwing, Grey Plover, Oystercatcher, Red Breasted Merganser, Wigeon and Dark Bellied Brent Goose. There is potential harm if development near to The Exe Estuary goes ahead without appropriate mitigation in place, to the ongoing ability of The Exe Estuary to support and sustain its designated habitat and species.
The Exe Estuary is a particularly small Estuary meaning that there is potentially little space for PEOPLE and BIRDS.
The Bird Habitats of The Exe Estuary must be prevented from further harm.
Teignbridge District Council, as the competent authority, has a duty to ensure the protection of sites such as The Exe Estuary which is classified for its habitats and species of European importance. Please help us to make sure they do by signing the Petition.
How it will be delivered
The Petition will be delivered to Teignbridge District Council Offices at Forde House, Newton Abbot on Friday 23rd May. Local Press will be invited to attend.
