Warning bird disturbance mitigation '˜may be ineffectual'

Chichester District Council is one of many organisations to sign up to the Solent Recreation Mitigation Strategy, which will see financial contributions sought from developers building new homes within 5.4 kilometres of special protection areas.

The Solent coast is of worldwide importance for wildlife and if birds are disturbed by dogs they may not gain enough weight to survive the summer migration.

The money will fund a partnership manager, a team of between five and seven coastal rangers, communications, marketing and education, initiatives to encourage responsible dog walking, codes of conduct for various coastal activities, provide secure habitats for birds, and new or enhanced green spaces as alternatives to visiting the coast.

Cabinet members and councillors agreed to adopt the strategy on Tuesday (February 6).

But Conservative Simon Lloyd-Williams called the charge on new homes an ‘extravagance’ and suggested they pass and enforce by-laws instead.

Adrian Moss, Lib Dem councillor for Fishbourne, described how they were building houses ‘much too close to Chichester Harbour’.