Following a sustained campaign over the last 3 years, the Harbour Farm Nature Group says there appears to be a way forward following a recent and long-awaited meeting with local authorities.
Campaigners have now met with the Environment Agency, RSPB and Natural England to discuss the group’s ideas for access to the derelict Harbour Farm site off the Embankment Road in Bembridge.
The farm and surrounding area was bought by the EA in 2011 with the objectives of managing the site to reduce flood risk and to better manage the surrounding Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
The group, newly renamed as a nature group and registered as a Community Interest Company, have long thought the site offered great potential for a number of cultural activities, ranging from bird hides to a nature walk and nature hub. These activities seemed to fit well with the new Local Nature Recovery Strategy guidance that includes the importance of cultural activities and that it should ‘reflect local circumstances, including the most important issues to local people’.
The hub itself could facilitate such activities as educational opportunities for forest schools and the new GCSE in natural history, a qualification that offers young people the opportunity to engage with nature whilst addressing environmental issues, as well as mental health well-being groups in line with new RSPB initiatives.
Whilst the Environment Agency turned down an offer to sell the farm to the group, the meeting looked at how the organisations could work productively together on these aspirations.
The central farm area is outside of the surrounding SSSI but it is of course still in an extremely sensitive setting. Fortunately, the nature group had the opportunity to show they have the experience and expertise to mitigate disturbance whilst working under the slogan Nature’s Future First. An objective of course shared by all.
Listening to the group talk, Dante Munns, the RSPB Area Manager, invited members up to their Arne reserve to see what they could learn from their work there.
Follow up conversations have already taken place with a promise from the RSPB to look at creating some Key Viewing Points along the old railway path. This would enable greater opportunities to view birds on the reserve without disturbing them.
Dante Munns says:
“We recognise the importance of connecting people with nature and welcome the opportunity to collaborate with other partners and interest groups where our goals align.
“RSPB Brading Marshes Reserve is home to some very special wildlife, and we would love to enhance opportunities for people to experience this. However, it is crucial that this is done sensitively to avoid disturbing the species we protect or compromising our ability to manage and expand the vital habitats they rely on.”
It was agreed the Nature Group would refine their vision for the future of Harbour Farm and surrounds to seek further ways forward, to that end, the EA is allowing the group access to the farm to facilitate this.
As a long-term supporter of the group, tJoe Robertson MP has said:
“I agree with the Nature Group’s aims of opening parts of the Harbour site up to the public, which will improve educational opportunities, as well as promote sensitive interaction with the wetland habitat. This aligns with the EA’s original aim when it took control of the site. I am pleased to be backing the local campaign and welcome engagement from the EA, RSPB and Natural England.”
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency says:
“There is still significant work needed at Harbour Farm including public safety works and the demolition of dangerous buildings on site. We continue to work with the RSPB, Natural England and the Nature Group to develop the future of the site.”
Andrew Holman chair of the Group, adds:
“We fully recognise the importance of the area and believe that we can jointly manage greater access to this land in a way that satisfies the needs of both nature and people. By allowing access and showing current and future generations just how important these precious areas are we will be able to aid the protection of the natural environment in this area for the future.”
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