Fear for rare birds at holiday village site

THE former owners of the Humber Bridge Hotel have attracted the fury of wildlife lovers after proposing to build a nearby holiday village.

The Barton hotel unexpectedly shut on June 22 as bailiffs were called in over large debts.

Now a company run by Tom Hazeldine, one of the previous owners, wants to build 19 wooden lodges around the site.

Critics say it would ruin the tranquillity of the Far Ings Nature Reserve, which surrounds the hotel on all sides, and endanger rare wildlife.

More than 70 people have so far objected to the plans, which would also see a new access road and 38-space car park built.

The nature reserve includes conservation Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and is home to breeding populations of rare birds such as bitterns and marsh harriers.

Dr Simon Mitchell, an ecology researcher at the Burnet Heritage Trust, said: “This planning application ought to be dismissed out of hand. [It is] one of the UK’s top national nature reserves with nationally significant numbers of extremely rare breeding birds.”

The hotel was renowned for its scenic location on the banks of the River Humber.

An objection under the name Sinclair states: “I am totally opposed to this given it’s mine and many others’ place to enjoy our freedom, fresh air, exercise area, and escape from traffic noise and its pollutants. Shocking idea.

“To allow planning on a SSSI site is totally unacceptable.”

Another comment stated: “Why would you want to allow such a place in the middle of a national nature reserve?

“The area is an outstanding area of rare habitat of important conservation national importance. To introduce residential facilities and the disturbance that it brings should be seen as a crime.

“Protect fragile habitats that are a jewel and something of envy.”