Prenton Dell is one of Wirral’s seven new sites of biological interest

Wirral now has seven new Sites of Biological Interest (SBIs) following last night’s meeting of Wirral’s Cabinet.

Councillors approved the designation of the new sites, which means they are now protected by local authority planning policy.

They new sites include Prenton Dell and Clay Pit, recently the subject of a plan to use it for landfill, which the Council opposed.

Welcoming the news, Wirral’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, Cllr Gill Gardiner, said: ‘This is great news for all those who love Wirral’s wildlife and natural habitats. We are particularly pleased about this designation for Prenton Dell, which has a complex of ancient habitats and woodland, and whose rich flora supports a good variety of butterflies and birds.’

Wirral’s current list of local SBI’s were originally drawn up by Cheshire Wildlife Trust in the late 1980s. They have now been reviewed by Wirral Wildlife (the Wirral group of the Cheshire Wildlife Trust) and will be joined by the following sites which now meet SBI selection criteria:

• Prenton Dell and Clay Pit

• Former RAF Camp, Greasby

• Lower Heath Wood, Thingwall

• Tom’s Paddock, Clatterbridge

• The Rectory, Thurstaston

• Former Hotel Victoria, Lower Heswall

• Manor Farm, Frankby

http://www.wirral.gov.uk/news/14-01-2011/prenton-dell-one-wirral%E2%80%99s-seven-new-sites-biological-interest

What we need now is a concensus of opinion from the Wiki denizens as to whether these sites are really of biological interest. What I found out in Lincolnshire was that councillors used to protect their own habitats, i.e. they weren't really concerned about the local wildlife. They enjoy living in isolated surroundings and do their utmost to keep it that way, the ultimate NIMBY's.