HATS off to our MPs Chris Green and Yasmin Qureshi, who have put their party politics to one side and declared their interest in the saving of Hulton Park (September 22).
Much has been written about the demise and affect on the area if the golf course and house building goes a head, but little has been written about the effects on its wild life.
In 2015, Peel Holdings brought in the British Trust for Ornithology to do a bird survey.
During the three-day survey, Britain’s leading data collector on bird species recorded no fewer than 64 different species of bird.
Of these species, 11 carry an S41R, which means they hold the highest conservation priority.
A further 15 carry an amber warning. This means they are vulnerable. These 26 species are thought or known to breed at Hulton Park. This is just the bird section.
Hulton Park is also the home to butterflies, bats, bees newts frogs, fungi, ancient woodland and this is not counting its insects or animals.
Many are red-listed species. The reason these species live here is because their environment has been stable for the past 80 years.
An 18-hole golf course, driving range, hotel, 70,000 visitors and 1,000 houses will reduce their survival rate to nil.
We in Britain have a ridiculous situation where you need a licence to hold a bat, adder, etc, but you can destroy its habitat.
On our watch, one in 10 of Britain’s species are on the verge of extinction a ridiculous situation in the 21st century.
A true legacy to hand down to our children’s grandchildren.
Peter German
Highfield Road
Farnworth
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