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Wetland would be danger to children
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| Abbey Park scheme: Trudy Burge, Pete Challenger and Lyn Ladds who are against a scheme to turn part of the park into a wet grassland. They think the area, pictured behind them, will be a danger to children. Picture by Simon Rogers. 12344401 |
A PLAN to transform part of a Pershore park into wet grassland has been greeted with horror by some of the town's residents.
They say the area will be dangerous for children playing nearby and believe a survey of public opinion for a similar past scheme showed residents were against the idea.
However, Wychavon District Council says its scheme will boost biodiversity, encourage wildlife and make Abbey Park a more attractive place.
Work is under way to create a raised boardwalk across the existing path, and wetland species such as marsh marigold, reeds and flag iris will be planted in April.
The dampness of the grassland will be maintained throughout the year through a pipe which runs from a children's water play area, but the flow can be diverted to the main drains if water levels become too high.
However, at a meeting of the district council's executive board, Trudy Burge, of Church Street, Pershore, asked councillors to scrap the proposal - which she called a pond - and drain the area for general recreational use. She said: "It is situated right next to the children's play areas.
"Toddlers and small children are regular users of the play area and can easily slip out unnoticed.
"It's a health hazard because this area is merely a foul-stenching, muddy bog created by the presence of stagnant water unable to drain away properly."
She was supported by Lyn Ladds, of Orchard Road, Pershore, who said she was unaware of the plans and questioned the level of public consultation undertaken.
In response, Councillor Anna Mackison said the area would be wet grassland and not a pond and was as a result of the natural condition of the park and its historical use as a series of monastic fish pools.
She said: "The council has experience of successfully managing natural springs in a manner that balances bio-diversity, amenity and safety requirements. She said consultation was carried out.
3:43pm Wednesday 26th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: hannah, Pershore on 8:28am Fri 28 Mar 08
I'm sure these 3 individuals mean well but unless my eyes deceive me are they not stood in front of a [bold]wet grassland[/bold] !? The area is a mess at the moment as is clear from the photo. Why not get behind the council and support them in their attempt to convert the area from a [quote]a foul-stenching, muddy bog[/quote] ?
I'm sure these 3 individuals mean well but unless my eyes deceive me are they not stood in front of a
wet grassland !? The area is a mess at the moment as is clear from the photo. Why not get behind the council and support them in their attempt to convert the area from a
a foul-stenching, muddy bog
?
Posted by: Lyn, Worcester on 7:32pm Sat 29 Mar 08
We would be ecstatic at the opportunity to assist the council in converting the area in Abbey Park from a foul-stenching, muddy bog, but the council are not interested in doing this, they are only interested in perpetuating the foul-stenching, muddy bog where dogs jump in and come out black or green or stinking to high heaven! Goodness only knows what else they do in there, let alone foxes who use the park. In the summer this is going to be a haven for mosquitoes and flies and is situated right by the toddlers play area, where, in the past families have been seen having picnics.
We would be ecstatic at the opportunity to assist the council in converting the area in Abbey Park from a foul-stenching, muddy bog, but the council are not interested in doing this, they are only interested in perpetuating the foul-stenching, muddy bog where dogs jump in and come out black or green or stinking to high heaven! Goodness only knows what else they do in there, let alone foxes who use the park. In the summer this is going to be a haven for mosquitoes and flies and is situated right by the toddlers play area, where, in the past families have been seen having picnics.
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