Last month Wirral Council agreed to issue a Compulsory Purchase Order on New Ferry Butterfly Park so that it can continue to be run as a nature reserve. After this the current owners threatened to damage the site. So, on Monday, Cheshire Wildlife Trust took the case to court and were granted a legal injunction to prevent any damage. The land owners have now agreed not to enter the park without the permission of the Wildlife Trust.
After the hearing at Birkenhead County Court, Janel Fone, chief executive of CWT, said: “What is important is to secure the long term future of the Butterfly Park, and I think today has helped us ensure the short term future – which gives us space to work towards the longer term.
“We really did not want it to come to this. We have been trying to have discussions with Brock and get an undertaking from them and to work with them on the future of the park. It’s a shame it has come to this.”
New Ferry councillor Steve Niblock, who has been supporting the campaign to save the park, said he was pleased with the outcome of the court hearing. He said: “This is a short term step towards a fuller court hearing in some weeks time.” He added CWT had offered to buy the park site from Brock and had they accepted “their generous offer” the court action could have been avoided.
After the hearing at Birkenhead County Court, Janel Fone, chief executive of CWT, said: “What is important is to secure the long term future of the Butterfly Park, and I think today has helped us ensure the short term future – which gives us space to work towards the longer term.
“We really did not want it to come to this. We have been trying to have discussions with Brock and get an undertaking from them and to work with them on the future of the park. It’s a shame it has come to this.”
New Ferry councillor Steve Niblock, who has been supporting the campaign to save the park, said he was pleased with the outcome of the court hearing. He said: “This is a short term step towards a fuller court hearing in some weeks time.” He added CWT had offered to buy the park site from Brock and had they accepted “their generous offer” the court action could have been avoided.
Brock again refused to comment. Although any activity by the company (or associate companies, D. Morgan plc and Frithmere Ltd) on the reserve would now be a criminal offence we ask anyone who spots anything suspicious to report it to one of the following groups:
- New Ferry Butterfly Park Committee: Paul Loughnane 645 8937 or Hilary Ash 327 5923
- Cheshire Wildlife Trust: 01948 820728
- Police Wildlife Crime officer, DC Kenneth Dummigan: 777 5447 or police HQ 709 6010.
- British Transport Police (for trouble at the height barrier on the access road): 0800 405040.
- In emergency, if there is evidence a crime is in progress: ring 999.
Thank you for your support.
Congratulations! what excellent speedy action by the council! and so glad the court took notice. Are you members of Butterfly Conservation? We can have more influence on these sort of issues if we all pull together as one big organisation. see www.butterfly-conservation.org you have an active Branch in Cheshire which you can find on the main website. I am North Wales Branch organiser; see www.northwalesbutterflies.org.uk best wishes
ReplyDeleteJan Miller