Page 1 of 5. Letters and media articles.

LETTERS

AND MEDIA COVERAGE

The following letter was written by the Saxon Gate Toad Lift to the Estates Surveyor at MBDC in response to a questionnaire:-

Estates Surveyor,
Estates Division
Mid Beds District Council

19.07.1999

Your Ref: Stratton Local Centre Consultation My ref:A:\MBDC.51

Dear Mr Clarke,
I am writing to you in the hope that the voice of the few representing the many, will be listened to. Whilst I have no objection to development of the Stratton Area, I feel the positioning of the 'LOCAL CENTRE' must be reconsidered to take account of the unique wildlife habitat.

I draw your attention to the attached sheets taken from a seminar at Kew Gardens in January 1996. Please take the time to read these sheets. They do highlight the importance of considering local wildlife when designing lansdcapes.

You may not be aware, but the Balancing Pond is heavily utilised by amphibian populations during breeding seasons, the adjacent land areas are important for foraging, providing food and cover for many species of animals; the diversity of plant life is unique for the area.

I am asking that you consider developing the 'LOCAL CENTRE' on the area between the currently proposed 'LOCAL CENTRE' (as marked on your plan) and the Saxon Gate swimming pool. This re-location will retain the only remaining area for the amphibian population that can be reached from the Balancing Pond without having to negotiate roads and associated obstacles. The mown grass areas are entirely unsuitable for sustaining wildlife.

The current scrub land area, which is on the proposed site of the 'LOCAL CENTRE', could then be retained as an educational area of natural beauty with a nature trail and information boards. The site is close to two schools in Biggleswade.

The road running parallel to the Linear Wood Archaeological Excavation has a TOAD TUNNEL at the southern end. The Tunnel was installed after recognising the importance of the Balancing Pond as a unique wildlife conservation area. However, there are at least two amphibian migration routes, one which takes the animals north to the remaining area of scrub (the proposed LOCAL CENTRE site).

This year in excess of 2500 adult toads and frogs were collected from the roads and drains by the Balancing Pond, in June and July over 14,000 baby frogs and toads were netted from drains and collected from grass verges. The Balancing Pond is a truly rare site to have such successful breeding activity and to ignore it is to ignore ones responsibily, as civilised beings, to participate in the activities of wildlife conservation, for the benefit of the many and diverse future generations of all species, including ourselves.

yours faithfully
David von Janowski

The following article appeared in the Biggleswade Chronicle on 27th August '99:-
New fears over frog and toad
Development 'could destroy animal habitat'

Report by Neville Course

WILDLIFE groups are concerned about a council building project which will destroy a natural habitat for amphibians. Already thousands of frogs and toads at Saxon Gate, Biggleswade, make perilous migration journeys across a newly opened road and thousands more will soon join them.

David von Janowski of Jasmine Close, Biggleswade, is a member of Saxon Gate Toad Lift, a volunteer group working closely with the Ivel Valley Countryside Project and the Ivel Valley Wildlife Group.He told the Chronicle: "The balancing pond to the south of Saxon Pool is a breeding place for thousands of frogs and toads. Earlier this year, 2,500 adult toads were picked up and carried across the new road as they made their way to and from the pond to spawn. After spawning, 8,000 toadlets and froglets were picked out of the drains at the side of this new road and another 6,000 off the road as they migrated to the adjacent open space. But thousands more migrate to un-cultivated land north of Saxon Pool where Mid Beds District Council is planning a community project.

Nobody is against this development which will be of great benefit to the community but the wildlife cannot be ignored." Mark Hustwitt of Mid Beds District Council said: "The area immediately to the north of Saxon Pool has always been scheduled for development. "It is felt that the wildlife build-up is due to the area being left uncultivated over the years." Mr von Janowski now wants the council to take measures to conserve the wildlife. He said: "This could be done by properly developing a flattened area, to the east of the new road, with features sympathetic to reptile and amphibian conservation.

Interested parties and groups, including council representatives, are meeting on September 22 to discuss the issue. A petition will be presented at this meeting, hopefully with 2,500 signatures." Petition forms can be found at various places in the town including the library, Rats charity shop, Saxon Pool, Kitelands Post Office and the housing association office at 43 Heather Drive.

Already 500 visits have been made to a 40-page web Site featuring the Saxon Gate Toad Lift and Ivel Wildlife Group; the address is www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Zoo/7231/