Ryde’s Labour Branch has expressed its strong objection to any commercial development of the Hersey Nature Reserve at Seaview.
The land now known as Hersey Nature Reserve was acquired on by the Isle of Wight Council in 2002 on a 50-year lease, prior to the building of the new sea wall along the Seaview Duver in 2003. The acquisition and management of the land was specifically intended to create habitation for wildlife and support the surrounding areas of natural interest.
The Reserve is now under threat from developers but the public is fighting back. 4,250 people have signed a petition to date.
Sea View Yacht Club already has permission to ‘put a hole in the wall’, and now seeks permission to use part of the Reserve as a boat park. It is said that this would cause untold destruction to the wildlife the park was created to serve, and would be devastating to the local communities that benefit from it.
A spokesperson for Ryde’s Labour Branch has said:
“Any such development would be against the interests of the Ryde and Seaview area and negate the original intent of the use of the land. It would also oppose the Isle of Wight Council’s own Green and Community Strategies. And development of the reserve is unnecessary: there are alternatives, such as development of the nearby, unused dinghy park. We also demand that permission for a breach in the seawall be rescinded as risky and without merit.
“Ryde Labour Party believes the Hersey Nature Reserve adds untold value to our north east Island community. This is not just because it provides a free and beautiful spot for locals and tourists to enjoy, or because it provides habitation for some of our most diverse and interesting wildlife species here on the Island (attracting visitors from around the world). It is also because, thanks to the volunteers at Friend of Hersey Nature Reserve, it is a place where people can come together to share a passion for and learn about local wildlife. There is a bird hide with panoramic views of the reserve; the hid contains information about species a visitor might be lucky enough to spot, all collected and collated by local volunteers and visitors.
“We strongly support Seaview and all north-east Island residents’ opposition to development and destruction of the Reserve. We encourage them to contact their county and parish councillors on this matter, to urge them to oppose development of the Reserve. We also ask Reserve supporters to sign the local petition circulated by the Friends of Hersey Nature Reserve, which is available here: www.change.org/p/david-stewart-iow-gov-uk-hands-off-our-hersey-nature-reserve-it-s-for-wildlife-not-boats“.
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