Launch of Westbrook Undercliff Nature Park

Just got back from the site after meeting with the Kent Wildlife Trust, Natural England and Thanet Coast Project. The soil has been checked for planting and has proved very suitable. So all systems are go. The poster above gives details of the launch and I hope that lots of people will want to be involved. There should be a marquee on site on the day with information about the project and a chance for you to give your views on the future of the site.

If you want to get involved there will be lots of activities to suit all ages and abilities so come along and see whats going on.

For hawk eyes amongst you there is a minor error "you" should read "your" the corrected version was not available at time of publication.

Further updates will be posted on this blog.

Save Our Forests

http://www.38degrees.org.uk/save-our-forests

I've just signed up to support the Save Our Forests petition. The government is planning to sell off all our forests. I've just signed up and wanted to let you know about it. The more of us take part, the stronger the message will be and the more likely we are to save our forests.

Please sign the petition now: Sorry link above will not work so please copy and paste into your browser.

Thanks,
Buzz

Nash Lane

Driving along Nash Lane this weekend I noticed a sign announcing the land adjacent known as the ‘old line’ is to be auctioned by Clive Emson.

Some seven years ago I remember visiting the council information bus in Cecil Square and discussing with a gentleman on that bus why the council sold it in the first place as it would have made a brilliant cycleway to Westwood Cross from Margate. He held up his hands and said the council had made a big mistake in selling this land. This was no doubt an asset disposal too far.

Following the sale the land was bulldozed wrecking all the wildlife that had survived there for many years much to the disgust of local residents. All protests were in vain and the land was turned into an eye saw with rubble dumped on it.

There ensued several planning requests to build houses on the site no doubt on the assumption this would be a ‘brownfield site’ . I understand that these were turned down. The guide price in the online catalogue for the land is £30k to £35k and it is advertised as land for potential development. This could be an opportunity for the council to right a wrong but in these cash strapped days I think this is very doubtful. Link  http://www.cliveemson.co.uk/download.asp Lot 58.

Wildlife site springs into action

On Sunday 20th February 2011 that there will be a volunteer day on the site. It will take place from 12 noon to 4.00 p.m. and will be run by the Kent Wildlife Trust and volunteers. If you are interested in getting involved please just turn up with your gloves and boots. Tools will be provided. The day will involve some cutting and planting of shrubs along with sowing some wild flower seeds. There will also be activities for children organised by Kent Wildlife Trust. This will be an ideal event to get involved with conservation as part of a community. Parking is available at the Barnes car park on the promenade next to the site. If anyone has any wildflower seeds spare please bring them with you or get in touch with us.
Following this it is hoped to set up a group of interested people called “Friends of the Westbrook Undercliff Nature Park” to keep an eye on the site and get involved with future events.
Support for this project comes from Kent Wildlife Trust, Thanet Coast Project, Thanet District Council, WASPS and the Westgate and Westbrook Residents Association.
If you want more information please telephone Thanet 223841 or email : waspsis@hotmail.co.uk
Information about The Kent Wildlife Trust can be found at: www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk and updates will be posted on this blog.
I hope that you will want to be involved with this exciting project to bring and preserve wildlife on our coast.