Representation by Helen Mitchell
- Date submitted
- 17 November 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
In response to letter received 6 October 2023 EN010131 notifying "Application by Gate Burton Energy Park Limited for an Order Granting Development Consent for the Gate Burton Energy Park Project" Torksey Ferry Road is an important access road to the river Trent and is used for recreation such as walking and horse riding. This will be another part of the development that encroaches on wildlife. The area is great for bird and wildlife watching with hedgerows, woodland and badger setts. This further highlights the Developers unprofessional approach to the planning process and their disregard for local rural communities. Cottam Wetlands Site of Importance for Nature Conservation, made up of marshy grassland, swamp and mosaic of wetlands, and Cottam Ponds SINC are a significant part of this area and are important nature conservation designations. There is a habitat for great crested newts which are a protected species. They utilise both ponds and terrestrial habitats (short, amenity grassland) in this area. This video on You Tube of Torksey Ferry Road shows the landscape around this area. [Redacted] It is lined with well established trees and hedgerows. What will happen to the nesting birds, hibernating hedgehogs, dormice and other small mammals, as well as insects like beetles and butterflies? Many species use hedgerows for food such as leaves, flowers, berries, insects or small mammals. Some species rely on hedgerows as shelter from predators or the elements whilst out foraging. Birds rely on berries in hedgerows for food in winter. Hedgerows criss-cross the country, enabling wildlife to move about the landscape. They consequently connect populations that would otherwise be isolated and vulnerable. There are badger setts along this route, protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 as amended by the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011. A number of angling associations have access along this road. Ashfield Angling and Rampton Fishing Club mention it on their websites. The [Redacted] website also shows a map of the aforementioned and a number of other fishing clubs whom each use a section of riverbank on this stretch of the river Trent. Also mentioned is the Foss Dyke, believed to be Britain’s oldest canal, built by the Romans, which starts on the east bank of the River Trent connecting to the River Witham in Lincoln. Other websites [Redacted] and [Redacted], give detailed walking routes around Cottam, Rampton, Torksey, Laneham, utilising Torksey Ferry Road and giving views of Torksey Viaduct and Torksey Castle. This also leads to a public footpath with runs alongside the River Trent. The Nature and Mental Health Report produced by mental health charity Mind, states that spending time in nature can reduce anxiety and depression. Sitting on a bench taking in the views or walking through fields or along a riverbank are a privilege and appreciated by many. This video posted on YouTube shows a walking route around this area. [Redacted] Ramptonandwoodbeck-pc.gov.uk gives a history of Rampton Wharf which is accessed by road. Rampton Wharf is half an acre of private land beside the River Trent awarded to Parish of Rampton in 1845. The access road from Torksey Ferry Road to Rampton Wharf is also Parish Council owned.