Haven Badgers
Whoever thought the proposal to build a wind farm on the Gunfleet Sands several miles off the coast of Clacton could affect a badgers sett?. It certainly never occured to me until i was contacted by a freind to inform me that the badgers sett at the country park hads collapsed!
I had visited this sett some 4 to 5 weeks previous and everthing was ok. I therefore immediately contacted the wildlife Warden responsible for this area who confirmed that the sett had been damaged by a heavy vehicle - a crane - but he assured me that the sett had been appropriately repaired and the badgers were still in residence!.
These badgers were obviously not going to be put off by a crane dropping in.
The Warden then went on to inform me about a meeting taking place that very day concerning the proposed wind farm and the effect this would have on the country park. i asked if i could attend the meeting and was very glad that i i did because the cable being brought ashore from the Gunfleet sands could be going within 15-20 metres of the sett - this is still to be confirmed. Fortunately having attended the meeting we are now in regular contact with the construction company and they are keeping us informed.
Let this be a reminder to us all to keep a careful watch on any proposed developments in our area and the consequences this could have on a badgers setts. Although NEEBG is usually informed of applications for planning permission this is not always the case involving reservoirs etc. I for vone had not considered that a wind farm out in the North sea could have an effect on a sett ihad been checking.
Pauline Green