Visit to Marton Mere Nature Reserve

Date: 10th October 2005

In Attendance

Cllr Mrs Haynes, Chair of Culture and Leisure SDC

Anthony Hill, Principal Engineer – Capital Works & Regeneration

David McGrath, Senior Warden & Sustainability Education Officer

Andy Conroy, Environmental Engineer

Georgina Atkinson, Scrutiny Officer

Introduction

Following the Open Spaces and Horticulture Scrutiny, a site visit was required to assess the current state of the artificial mitigation ponds for Great Crested Newts on Marton Mere Nature Reserve, Heron’s Reach Peripheral Open Space and Stanley Park Golf Course that had been installed by Landmark Environmental.

Such work was required in order to alleviate the negative effects on the Great Crested Newt caused by the construction of the North East Bispham Road, now known as Faraday Way.

Landmark Environmental were required to collect the newts from the affected area and relocate them to seven mitigation ponds in the vicinity of Marton Mere LNR. However, over the year the Open Spaces and Horticulture Scrutiny has questioned whether the ponds were correctly prepared and installed, due to a number of them ‘drying out’. The rainwater ponds are supposed to hold water until at least early summer, and therefore create ideal living conditions for the newts.

The following report outlines the condition of the ponds on 10th October 2005 which can be located using the grid-reference.

Findings

Pond 1 (SD3335SE)

David McGrath informed that this pond had been redone through new consultants with a Butyl liner membrane included. The pond was almost full, and it was reported that it now contained a large proportion of the Great Crested Newts.

Pond 2 (SD3335SE)

This pond was empty and substantially grassed over, and no membrane to the pond had been located. This pond is clay lined and only holds a small amount of water after prolonged rain and quickly dries out.

Pond 3 (SD3435SW)

This pond was also empty, and it was suggested that the clay lining of the pond had dried out and cracked substantially which had allowed water to escape. Antony Hill explained that to rectify the problem, the pond would need digging out, filling with sand and have a liner installed.

Pond 4 (SD3335NE)

David McGrath advised that the pond was in a satisfactory condition that would gain a higher level of water over the next couple of months.

Pond 5 (SD3336SE)

This was dry and substantially grassed over.

Pond 6 (SD3336SE)

Dave McGrath explained that to the best of his knowledge, this pond had never held any water. Its current position was dry and grassed over.

Pond 7 (SD3336SE)

This pond appeared to be in a very good condition with a normal water level.