Proposed Development Near to Watermead Park
Dear residents and users of Watermead Park,
You may be aware of the proposed development to build warehouses that encroach on Watermead Park land. The park is an oasis of calm in an otherwise highly developed area and it can do without further pressure from building work and increased traffic.
I and many others are extremely concerned that it will disrupt the tranquil nature of Watermead and drive away some of the rare species of animal life found here. Please see local resident, Brendon Brockway’s, excellent article about non-human users of the park and join our campaign to save Watermead’s character by following the links and advice at the end of the article.
Julie Palmer
Charnwood Borough Councillor, Birstall East Ward.
Discovering Watermead
As a regular user of Watermead Country Park and a keen photographer I can often be found taking pictures of the local flora and fauna. The parks plant and wildlife are gifts that continue to amaze me.
I have a few favourite places that I always return to, some are in plain sight, and a few are off the beaten track. One spot that that’s just perfect for just stretching out and watching the world go by is near the old bird hide. Here I’ve watched Kingfishers dive for bounty, Cormorants nesting and feeding their young and Little Egrets performing acrobatics.
In the same spot I had recently spotted Muntjac deer crossing the waters and I’d returned to see if I could get a few shots.
Things were on the quiet side and the light was fading so I had decided to pack up. I had just seen some Coots panicking and scattering across the water when I suddenly realised why. As I stood up there was a sudden movement in the water and from around the corner, I heard a whoosh and then I saw it. For a split second I thought “what’s that” and then I realised it’s an Otter. This welcome visitor glided past me. Camera in hand I was panicking as the lens was too big and the Otter was too close, I could hear myself say “damn” as this was an opportunity missed but guess what, the Otter gods were on my side, it had turned around and as it drew level with me dived and then resurfaced about 25 to 30 feet away where it rested its head on the water.
Image Copyright: Brendon Brockway
I couldn’t tell if the Otter was looking at me with contempt or in disbelief that someone had dared to disturb it while it was hunting. Then suddenly it lifted its head hissed, turned and dived and was gone.
I walked home feeling honoured that I had encountered nature in its fullest sense, a truly wild animal in a habitat that supports it.
Since my encounter I’ve caught sight of an Otter on another four occasions, once for a split-second while in the same spot, twice in the River Soar and once by the car park at the top of King Lear Lake.
Prior to this I’d heard a couple of people say that Otters had been seen up by King Lear Lake, I’d never seen any and to be honest I’d thought it would never happen.
But why does this matter? I learned recently that there has been a proposal to develop land adjacent to Watermead that would see. if granted, the development of 70,600 square metres of warehouses for storage and distribution. The warehouses will be built right up to the canal along John Merrick Lake, finishing parallel with the car park at King Lear Lake.
If approved, the development of the site will involve the disruption and destruction of surrounding land and lakes, heavy construction traffic and ensuing noise and dust. It is likely that once they were up and running the operation of the facilities will be around the clock 24/7. The result of this will affect the balance and tranquil nature of the park which is likely to be transformed forever.
Not only does Watermead support so much wildlife but it also provides a release for so many, it was a valuable lifeline during the pandemic and continues to contribute to the health and well-being of so many. Its importance must never be underestimated.
But what can you do? If you haven’t already done so you can do one or more of the following:
Sign the petition at: Say no to warehouses around Watermead Country Park! | 38 Degrees
Get in touch with Charnwood Borough Councils Planning Department and let them know that you’re not happy.
Get in touch with your local Ward Councillor and say No to Development.
Get in touch with your local Member of Parliament (Edward Argar MP).
And lastly, there’s currently a competition being run by Go Leicestershire who are asking the public to name their favourite local attraction in Leicestershire as part of the Leicestershire Promotions Tourism and Hospitality Awards. Let’s make Watermead the best day out in Leicestershire. You can nominate Watermead at: Best Day Out (goleicestershire.com)
Otters are listed as a rare and most threatened species and there is legislation that has been designed specifically to protect them.
Keep up to date with the campaign by going to:
https://charnwoodclp.co.uk/
Let’s not let the developers drive our Otters away.
Brendon Brockway
