Save the Curlew petition launched in response to expansion of Rockingham Forest Park between King's Cliffe and Wansford
A petition has been launched to help protect the breeding ground of an endangered bird from a proposed woodland development.
Sandra Beale has issued the petition, named Save The Curlew at Landal Rockingham Forest Park, in response to the proposed expansion of a holiday park.
Rockingham Forest Park Ltd, run as a franchise of Landals Green Parks, has applied to North Northamptonshire District Council for change of use of 22 acres of grassland for 80 holiday lodges.
A facilities building, including swimming pool, spa and restaurant is also proposed.
The company opened 56 lodges within the 617-acre forest park, between King’s Cliffe and Wansford, in May last year.
The petition says proposed routes for construction traffic would run through the curlews' grassland habitat surrounding the existing lodges.
It is believed to be one of just a few breeding sites for curlews left in Northamptonshire.
The curlew has been on the RSPB's Birds of Conservation Concern red list since December 2015 with the society recording a 42 per cent decline between 1995 and 2008.
The reasons believed to have caused the steep drop include agricultural intensification and afforestation of breeding grounds.
Sandra, who lives near Rockingham Forest Park, fears the curlews' future there is uncertain.
"It is only during the spring and summer they have the opportunity to raise chicks to replace their plummeting numbers," she said.
"The curlews’ perfect breeding habitat on what had been for many years a unique large wild remote site, made by nature unaccessible to vehicles, is disappearing rapidly.
"Instead an expanding large man-made tourist development is proposed to take over the rural landscape.
"Landal Greenparks had an opportunity to contribute to the UK’s growing curlew conservation movement and live up to their marketing promise which aims to protect and give back to nature."
The Woodland Trust and Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs and Northants has also lodged objections to the initial plans.
Rockingham Forest Park say it wants to work with all stakeholders to manage the impact on local wildlife and woodland, and is working with ecology consultants Lockhart Garratt.
Managing director of Rockingham Forest Park, Ian Sharpe, said: “We would be more than happy to review any evidence that the local resident has of breeding curlew within the park and wider landscape and would then undertake the necessary survey work to ensure that any potential impacts on these birds were adequately mitigated in order to avoid any adverse effects.
“Where possible we would look to enhance the habitat in order make, increase the suitability of the wider site for curlew.”
