The following letter was written by the Saxon Toad Lift to the Estates Surveyor at MBDC concerning the conservation status of Saxon Gate:-

Estates Surveyor,
Estates Division,
Mid Beds District Council

28.08.1999

Your Ref: Stratton Local Centre Consultation My ref:MBDC.001

Dear Mr Clarke,
Thank you for your reply of 3rd August and for forwarding my letter of 24th July to the District Planning Officer.

On 7th June 1999 there was a meeting of the Mid Beds District Council Environmental Services Committee. During this meeting issues relating to the wildlife potential at Saxon Gate were raised. Mr A Costley agreed that the site had great wildlife potential; on the initiative of Mr A. Gammell a resolution was passed that 'the Council note the importance of the site for amphibia and possibly other wildlife and that any further plans for the site take account of this and seek to maintain this value'. An interim report on the importance of the Saxon Gate site was submitted at the meeting and copies were later distributed to the panel.

On 5th July 1999 there was a meeting with Mr R Goodman (chairman of the pool sub-committee), Mr R Waterfield (from the Leisure Services Division) and Dr Phillips and Mrs Phillips, representing the Ivel Wildlife Group, where the conservation status of Saxon Gate was discussed.

Further meetings between the Saxon Gate toad lift representative and the Ivel Wildlife Group  were also held to formulate a conservation development plan for the Saxon Gate site in sympathy with the annual migratory movements of the substantial amphibian population.

As a result of these meetings and following discussions between the Ivel Wildlife Group, Saxon Gate Toad Lift representatives and the Ivel Valley Countryside Project a meeting of all interested parties has been scheduled for 10am on 22nd September; the purpose being to draw up a management plan for the Saxon Gate site. As yet a venue has not been arranged.

I am therefore rather surprised that in your reply you said, 'we are therefore rather surprised that it is only now that someone has raised this particular issue'. The issue of habitat fragmentation, especially for amphibians, is of major concern as being one of the main reasons for population declines. The location of the Stratton Centre and development of the Saxon Gate site in general should be included as part of the overall development plan considering needs for both the local community and the wildlife.

Through my involvement with the Saxon Gate Toad Lift over the past 6 months it is evident that consideration for the local community and for the wildlife of Saxon Gate encompasses common issues. The majority of residents I have spoken to are in favour of development in sympathy with wildlife. They are not in favour of playing fields, skateboard parks or bowling greens. These residents live on a 'town - country' boarder, many through choice and have expressed a need for an area of Saxon Gate where the benefits of the countryside can be realised for the local community and the wildlife.

To emphasise the strength of community feeling on this matter and to demonstrate that this is not just a personal view, I have distributed a petition throughout Biggleswade, supported by local businesses, residents and visitors to the area. Nobody questioned has refused to sign the petition; the Biggleswade Chronicle has today published a supporting article. It is my intention that the completed petition will be submitted with a covering letter, on the 22nd September.

Residents living near the Balancing Pond have had to contend with huge numbers of baby frogs and toads this year. Despite this, none have displayed animosity or annoyance to the natural migration. There has been a genuine concern for amphibian welfare and following requests I have produced and distributed an information leaflet. Some of the finer points on amphibians were provided by members of the Ivel Wildlife Group and by English Nature.

I should point out that an established amphibian breeding site at Saxon Gate was in existence prior to installation of the balancing pond. This is one of the reasons why amphibian activity is and has been highly concentrated in the area. This year's toad lift was a trial run, incorporating a detailed scientific study on froglet and toadlet migration and to some extent a survey of local community attitudes. Residents and visitors to the Saxon Gate swimming pool always express dismay at the sight of any squashed frogs or toads. Next year, a more elaborately organised lift will be required. Recruitment of local residents to assist is unlikely to present a problem considering the community spirit displayed on many occasions over the past months.

The recent roosting of starlings on the Saxon Gate estate has also drawn much interest from the local residents; this demonstrates more than just a 'Frog And Toad' concern, there is a genuine consideration for wildlife in general. There are fears that starling numbers are dwindling and this provides further evidence for Saxon Gate as an important wildlife area.

In your letter you refer to the balancing pond as a 'temporary measure'. I believe the balancing pond to be a prime and integral component of the drainage system at Saxon Gate; perhaps you could clarify this statement?

In pursuance of provisions for both the local community and for the wildlife of the area may I suggest that yourself and the District Planning Officer make every effort to attend the meeting of 22nd September. Items to be discussed will include suggestions on provisions for a wildlife and wetland area; both of which you mention in your letter. I, of course, shall be in attendance. If you wish to discuss any of these matters before the meeting please do not hesitate to contact me.

It is regrettable that habitat fragmentation by construction traffic in the form of destruction of the scrub area to the north of the Saxon Gate swimming pool has started, without any consultation.

Clearly, the area of Saxon Gate has already been recognised for it's wildlife potential. A preliminary botanical survey of the balancing pond banks was recently conducted and this further highlights the importance of Saxon Gate as a prime area for development in sympathy to conservation. The local community do want a wildlife area at Saxon Gate which can also be of benefit to local residents as a park with benches, picnic tables and signposted paths.

To this end I am ready to provide guidance, advice or assistance in drawing up provisions for a wildlife area and further wetland. In many cases implementation of conservation measures can provide a more economical solution. Backing can often be provided from such organisations as the European Union, English Nature, the Wildlife Trusts and even building developers. The Toad Tunnel, which cost in excess of £5000, was installed with the help of local housing developers and has been the subject of TV and radio coverage.

In your letter you ask who I represent. My representations are threefold:-

1) As one of the organisers of the annual toad lift at Saxon Gate I represent the volunteers who assist with the amphibian rescue. Many have expressed concerns about future wildlife management of the area. I have close contact with the Ivel Wildlife Group and Ivel Valley Countryside Project. If you wish to have further details of the groups involved please contact Joel Carré, Director of the Ivel Valley countryside Project, Biggleswade Library, Chestnut Avenue, Biggleswade, Beds, SG18 0LL (tel 01767 601042).

2) As a resident of the Saxon Gate estate I represent the local community with the views, concerns and feelings of the residents. This is clear from the success with petitioning.

3) <not released for publication>.

In order to ensure all parties with common interests are aware of the issues raised here I shall be passing a copy of my letter dated 24th July, a copy of your reply and a copy of this letter to the appropriate groups for discussion.

It is hoped that the meeting of 22nd September will be well attended and go some way towards achieving a common goal:- the development of Saxon Gate as a controlled, managed and supervised site, with involvement of all informed and interested parties achieving both an area functional for the community and in sympathy with the existing environment.

Yours sincerely,


David von Janowski