The Potter Group

Potter Group seeks approval to enhance local wildlife habitat

The Ely DC is applying for planning approval to carry out improvement works, including drainage, on a series of settling ponds located on the eastern part of its 30-acre, Adelaide Road site. The two-year project is intended to counter the growing flood risk to local residents and to create a wildlife sanctuary for a number of rare and endangered species including marsh harriers, bitterns, kingfishers, water voles and badgers.

The Group's plans have the support of Natural England, the Wildlife Trust and the RSPB, with the the possibility of offering the site to a local conservation body as a county wild life zone once the initial works are completed.

The proposals were developed in consultation with the Cambridge office of international environmental services consultant Mott MacDonald, who helped draw up a detailed Ecological Impact Assessment of the project. Engineering works include draining some 125,000 cubic metres of water from the north lagoon into the Great Ouse, which will reduce the water levels and lower the risk of local flooding as required under The Reservoirs Act 1975. Two new lagoons will be created and ditches dug specifically to provide a favourable habitat for marsh harriers and bitterns, all within a maintained and protected wetlands environment.

A spokesperson for The Potter Group commented: "As landowners we are aware of our responsibilities and in particular our duty to take all reasonable steps to prevent local flooding. The project should cause minimal disturbance to our neighbours and local wildlife, and we will provide features such as new reed beds for rare breeding birds, and a badger conservation area with artificial setts, in line with good conservation practices. We are confident that within a few years we will have here in Ely one of the most thriving and diverse natural habitats in the area, with an increasing population of previously endangered and threatened species."

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