The Oglet Shore, (Anglo Saxon, "oak by the water") runs North West from Dungeon Lane, up to the Airport light gantry and almost to the bund or earth mound that separates Speke Hall from the runway.
It is an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest), SPA and Ramsar site of international importance for the wetland birds that live there. The fields that lie between the airport runway and the shore are designated greenbelt and grade one agricultural land and maybe the last truly rural area in Liverpool.
Yet this beautiful area, with its woods, ponds and streams, home to bats, owls and many red list, endangered farmland birds, and a vital habitat in an increasingly built up area, is due to disappear under concrete if the loss making Liverpool airport development goes ahead. Many historic buildings have already been demolished and more are planned.
In an area where open land is being rapidly being sold for housing, there are decreasing numbers of places for the community to relax and enjoy the environment.
Peel Holdings who own the airport land, have proposed relocating habitats, but with the planned construction of 10,700 new houses between Halebank and Speke, it is difficult to see where this would be.
Liverpool Council have pledged to protect our parks and green spaces and also have duty to protect and preserve this important coastal habitat, so why threaten it in the vain hope the airport will become profitable?
