Nature Conservation Forum warned of “massive environmental change”

MEMBERS of Warrington Nature Conservation Forum (WNCF) were treated to two excellent presentations at their annual general meeting.
Brian Tuohey spoke on the history of Birchwood, tracing the history of the area using 19th century maps, old black and white photos taken during World War II, the closing down of the munitions bunkers the growth of Birchwood Forest Park and the development of Warrington New Town.
The second speaker, Roger Lamming, took the group up into the skies showing photos taken from the passenger seat in his friend’s microlight. He showed excerpts from their many journeys from Croft to the Morecambe Cockle fields, Humber Estuary and of course over Warrington.
WNCF chairman Geoff Settle then led the business part of the meeting which included elections and a summary of the previous 12 months.
He said “When I joined the forum, we hardly discussed planning because that was dealt with by successive WNCF secretaries who were Warrington Borough Council natural environmental officers. Their role however was axed in 2016 because of austerity.
“We have tried to fill the void by investigating the concerns our members have raised.
“We have supported the Save Peel Hall campaign and followed up the impact of planning applications next to Walton Hall nature reserve, the impact of the Warrington Draft Local Plan and the impact on Croft’s Silver Pools Nature Reserve of the proposed service station near junction 21 and HS2.
“As volunteers we have little spare time against this growing list of issues”
Looking to the future Brian Martin, the WNCF’s most experience member said “The town faces a massive amount of environmental change in the draft Local Plan.
“On top of this there is the impact of climate change, something that politicians may have left too late to do anything about, certainly for the wildlife. Let’s hope scientists discover some smart solutions to mitigate what’s going on and that people change their behaviours. I fear for the worst.”
The forum has launched a new website www.wncf.co.uk and Rob Smith is working on a new WNCF leaflet, the draft of which was passed around for comment on the day.
Pictured (left to right) Rob Smith, Brian Martin and committee member Les Jones with the draft leaflet