An important wildlife site on the edge of Ipswich is under threat.
What's the Problem?
Ipswich Borough Council (IBC) has outline planning permission for 200 homes to be built on Kiln Meadow. IBC plans to sell this land to a developer as soon as possible.
Why does this matter? Kiln Meadow is an area south of Bobbits Lane,
between Spring Wood and Bobbits Lane - see
Google map.
It is bounded on three sides
by Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) which are:
- Spring Wood, Ancient Woodland.
-
Millennium Wood, new woodland planted by lots of
local volunteers and regenerated woodland.
-
Bobbits Lane
LNR, wet meadows which provides habitat for rare species such as otter, water vole, kingfisher egrets, water rail, toad, etc.
This whole area has a number of wildlife species that
should be protected under the Biodiversity Action Plan
(BAP) for Suffolk, including otter, water vole, bullfinch,
skylark, reed bunting, song thrush, linnet, black poplar,
common toad, as well as other rare species such as
kingfisher, little egret, water rail, slow-worm, stag
beetle, hobby.
Building houses on Kiln Meadow will seriously affect the habitats,
particularly the water meadows which rely on the fresh,
clean water flowing through Kiln Meadow for their existence – draining
it, changing the hydrology and building houses will
have a dramatic and adverse affect on the water meadows.
This area is used intensively by local people for
recreation and exercise; it is within a few miles of
Ipswich town centre and so easily accessible on foot
or by bike – you don't have to get into your
car to visit a beautiful patch of countryside.
Over the last few years a 'toad patrol' has operated
to assist common toads crossing Bobbits Lane. This
spring, over 20 volunteers helped over 4,400 toads.
This was the highest number of toads at one site in
the country, as reported on BBC Radio 4's 'World on
the Move ' program on Tuesday (10th June). This site
is therefore of national importance for toads. They
migrate from Spring Wood across Kiln Meadow and Bobbits
Lane to the water meadows, and so their route would
be completely destroyed and their habitat irreparably
damaged.
What Do we Want to Happen?
We urge IBC not to sell this land but to make it available
as a public space for the benefit of the people of
Ipswich and the fantastic wildlife, in perpetuity.
What can you do to assist the campaign? Visit the SKiM campaign website for the latest information on the campaign and details of what you can do (e.g. contacting local councillors).
