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Higher than The Angel of the North - artist's impression of the proposed replica palm tree
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A WARNING has been
sounded that the proposed palm tree artwork on Cleethorpes' north prom could scare off uncommon shorebirds.
North East Lincolnshire Council is keen to install the artificial tree - at 72 ft, taller than the Angel of the North - near the Wonderland car park.
The authority believes
the sculpture - to be made from recycled materials gathered from the tideline -
would be a tourist attraction and help
regenerate the resort.
But Natural
England has reminded the council that, like all local authorities, it "has a duty to have regard to conserving
biodiversity as part of its decision-making".
It says the artwork - which would be illuminated and ‘may sway in the wind’ - risks displacing turnstone, redshank and other wading birds that feed near a rock armour groyne adjacent to the application site.
Another factor is that a rock armour sea defence groyne may have enhanced the location as a feeding habitat - especially for rare species such as purple sandpipers.
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| This groyne may be favoured by purple sandpipers as well as turnstone |
The nature watchdog is calling for a full habitat regulations assessment. before any decision to grant planning permission is made.
“If birds are disturbed, there could be a
significant impact on the Humber Estuary site of special scientific interest," comments its regional spokesman, Liam O’Reilly.
This view is supported by Rachel Graham who succeeded Mike Sleight as NELC in summer as the authority's ecology officer.
Below: Turnstone feeding near the site of the proposed artwork
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