Wildlife Trust prepares to take on HS2 over clearance works on nature reserve

BBOWT, Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust, has received notice from High Speed 2 (HS2) that they intend to carry out clearance works at one of the Trust’s nature reserves, Calvert Jubilee.

Telsha Arora, BBOWT’s Media and Campaigns Manager, said: “The clearance would involve a huge area of approximately 200 hectares. We have met with representatives of HS2 to make it clear that the scale and timing of the works will have a devastating effect on wildlife, particularly as it is the start of nesting season. We have also sent a formal letter to HS2 requesting more specific details of the areas to be cleared, how this clearance will take place and the mitigation that will be put in place to compensate for any damage to wildlife.

‘Unnecessary and unwarranted destruction..’

“We believe that the works will cause unnecessary and unwarranted destruction of important breeding and feeding habitats for a range of species. We therefore strongly object to the proposals as they stand.”

BBOWT’s Head of Planning, Policy and Advocacy, Matthew Stanton, said: “We are currently engaging with HS2 in what we hope will be constructive discussions that accommodate both parties’ interests. What we can be certain of is, that BBOWT will not be facilitating any works that may be harmful to wildlife.”

‘We will refuse access…’

Matthew Stanton continued: “If we do not consider that the mitigation proposed by HS2 is adequate we will, to the extent relevant legislation allows us to, refuse access to BBOWT’s land until HS2 produce a scheme of works and mitigation that addresses our concerns and respects the needs of wildlife.”

Questions in parliament

In response to a question in Parliament recently from Cheryl Gillam MP for Amersham and Chesham, Nusrat Ghani, Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Department for Transport responded: “”HS2 Ltd and their contractors will comply with all relevant legislation, HS2Environmental Minimum Requirements, as well as any applicable Protected Species Licences when dealing with ecology within HS2 limits. The following protection measures are in place for vegetation clearance activities:

“For all birds during nesting season, a “Permit to Clear” system will apply. A suitably qualified ecologist will assess existing survey data and then verify this with surveys of the site in advance of the vegetation clearance taking place. Once the area has been confirmed to be free of nesting birds, then clearance can commence.

“For other wildlife at the Calvert Jubilee Local Nature Reserve, the “Permit to Clear” system is applicable. However, should the area be known to contain Protected Species, such as Great Crested Newt and Badgers, then the HS2 Ltd contractors will work in accordance with the HS2 Ltd organisational licences for these species.

“Where surveys identify other Protected Species present, then contractors would undertake works in accordance with their legal protection and, where necessary, apply for mitigation licences from Natural England. Mitigation measures will be carried out under the supervision of suitably qualified ecologists where necessary.”

For the latest updates, visit Calvert Jubilee’s web page and read more about HS2, the impacts on wildlife along the route through Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, and what BBOWT is doing to protect wildlife HERE.