Public Inquiry

Problem

When an application for continuation of sand-winning from the Horse Bank in the Ribble and Alt Estuary SPA/Ramsar site in Lancashire was opposed by English Nature and the RSPB, AEcol Director John Andrews was requested to present evidence at public inquiry in support of the application.

Solution

Key issues were whether the sand-winning would deplete the invertebrate food resources of wading birds and whether the disturbance caused by vehicles working on the Bank at low tide would reduce birds’ ability to feed in the vicinity. A detailed examination of bird numbers in the SPA, the food requirements of different species, the abundance of the food in the affected area and of different bird species’ susceptibility to disturbance was undertaken, utilising data from many sources. It was concluded that continuation of sand-winning posed no risk to the conservation objectives or integrity of the SPA.

The application was approved.