RALLY TO PROTEST AT SSSI TRASHING
Blackwater Valley Friends of the Earth campaigns against the destruction of the Bourley and Long Valley SSSI
Blackwater Valley Friends of the Earth will be protesting about the destruction of a SSSI on Saturday 28 October. Campaigners will be standing on the verges of Aldershot Road, Church Crookham, next to the SSSI, with placards to draw to local road users attention the blight that is occurring.
The Bourley and Long Valley SSSI (part of the Thames Basin Heath Special Protection Area) is currently being deforested and three of the hills 'scalped' which will permanently destroy the landscape and habitat of the area. The MoD under the guise of "routine maintenance" will be doing TAG Aviation's dirty work so that TAG can obtain the CAA certification for their commercial flying operation just given the go ahead by John Prescott.
The work will:
Miles Hill - 2.5 acres will be lowered;
Eelmoor Hill - 4 acres will be lowered;
Norris Hill Copse - 0.1 acres will be lowered.
In total TAG admit that this will involve removing 50,000 m3 of earth. If this is not, in TAG's words "adequately managed", this earthworks would cause siltation of the SSSI of Fleet Pond. Due to the recent heavy rain we have been having there is a distinct possibility that this siltation will now occur.
The work is being performed by the MoD without any planning permission because of Crown immunity. However both BVFoE and Hants Wildlife Trust had previously advised Rushmoor Borough Council that the large nature of the works, involving mineral extraction, waste disposal and engineering works should have meant that a specific planning application was put forward by TAG. This application was not forthcoming and neither English Nature, Rushmoor Borough Council or Hart Council have objected to the MoD performing the work
The SSSI is currently home to many reptiles, amphibians and rare 'Red Data Book' spiders and beetles. Birds such as the woodlark, nightjar, Dartford warbler and the great spotted woodpecker have also been seen nesting there. This work will destroy their habitat permanently.
Rick Kimber of BVFoE said "Devastation like this to a government owned SSSI shows that we badly need the Countryside and Rights of Way Bill passed before the end of the parliamentary session. This would force Government owned bodies like the MoD to manage SSSIs sustainably instead of being grossly irresponsible with their inherited areas"