Birds keep fire training centre plan grounded

A NEST of birds has temporarily held up initial site clearance for a proposed £37m fire and rescue training centre.

- DALE SPRIDGEON

The presence of little ringed plovers, a protected species, has been confirmed in the area of the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service's [NWFRS] proposed site at St Asaph Business Park, Denbighshire.

It is thought this could delay work by several weeks and the situation is being monitored daily.

The scheme, still in its early phase, was previously hampered by the presence of great crested newts at the site.

It was while looking into the newts issue that the nesting birds were found. The little ringed plover has a distinctive black and white head pattern.

It is similar to a ringed plover described by the RSPB as a “small, dumpy, short-legged wading bird” - but smaller.

It is illegal to intentionally or recklessly disturb any wild bird in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 “while it is building a nest or is in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young; or to disturb dependent young of such a bird”.

The matter was discussed during a meeting of the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority.

Members heard how quiet, manual work would be permitted in the northern part of the site, but access and any machinery-based activity was prohibited until the birds fledged.