Wetlands project backed by planners

More than 100 acres of grassland at Kilnsea are set to be turned into a large area of lagoons and pools for migrating and wintering birds, following the decision by the East Riding Council's planning committee yesterday.

The new wetland area will replace the nearby Beacon Lagoons which could disappear into the sea within the next 30 years.

It is also close to Spurn, which is owned by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

Outer Humber officer Andy Gibson said: "It is fantastic. The right decision has been made which allows the scheme to progress in the time-scale, and within budget for what is planned. It's so important that the birds are close to where they need to feed."

The birds accommodated by the new scheme will be knot, dunlin, redshank and grey plover – species for which the Humber is nationally and internationally known.

Mr Gibson said: "They go out onto the Humber mud flats and when the tide comes up they don't have anywhere to sit. So they come back, sit for a few hours and then when the tide goes back out they go back and feed.

"The birds need quiet areas to sit – they like open space and they don't want to be where they are threatened by predators."

The Environment Agency is due to start on the scheme next year, which will involve making water-filled "scrapes" up to a metre deep on land they own together with YWT, Associated British Ports and South Holderness Countryside Society.

The Environment Agency will also build a car park and at least one bird hide.

Mr Gibson said the scheme had been redesigned to address people's concerns and none of the land was compulsorily purchased.

"This has been done by negotiation," he said.