Huge development pressures have whittled away the remaining old meadows and ancient woodlands of north Lowestoft, yet one remarkable site has survived. Sandwiched between Pleasurewood Hills Theme Park, a Tesco superstore, a petrol station, a Travelodge and residential development is Gunton Meadow nature reserve, saved from development by the concerted efforts of local people and Suffolk Wildlife Trust.

This endeavour has secured a mix of species-rich grassland, scrub and ponds for newts. Although neglected for years, the grassland has been restored. Here five species of orchid including twayblade, green-winged and common spotted along with a host of other wildflowers are flourishing.

These wildflower-rich meadows in turn support a wealth of butterfly species such as skippers, ringlet and common blue. It is home to nesting bullfinch, greenfinch and long-tailed tits. Throughout winter flocks of finches feed high in the trees. As well as newts, the ponds on site are full of frogs and toads whose life cycle can be witnessed from frogspawn in the ponds, to tiny froglets on the pond edges in summer, to adult common frog feeding on insects in the meadows. The reserve is well loved and visited by local people.

Now a new development on land next to this reserve threatens to bring more disturbance, disruption and danger to the wildlife of this little oasis. A drive-through, late night McDonald’s restaurant and takeaway is planned on the western side of the reserve, just a few metres from one of the best ponds for amphibians. 

The litter, trespass, noise and light pollution from such a development will detract from this quiet corner.  Instead of isolating this site further and despoiling the tranquility of this small area with yet more commercial development we should be restoring and enhancing biodiversity. County Wildlife sites are reservoirs of wildlife which can recolonise neighbouring areas if their habitats are restored. This is at the heart of both national and local government policy.

The National Planning Policy Guidance (NPPF) says: 

“Planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by minimising impacts on and providing net gains for biodiversity, including by establishing coherent ecological networks that are more resilient to current and future pressures” and “if significant harm to biodiversity resulting from a development cannot be avoided (through locating on an alternative site with less harmful impacts), adequately mitigated, or, as a last resort, compensated for, then planning permission should be refused”.

The Waveney Local Plan says:

“Proposals that will have a direct or indirect adverse impact on locally recognised sites of biodiversity or geodiversity importance, including County Wildlife Sites, Biodiversity Action Plan habitats and species, will not be supported unless it can be demonstrated that new opportunities to enhance the green infrastructure network will be provided as part of the development that will mitigate or compensate for this loss."

You can help by submitting your comments as soon as possible on the application by email to planning@eastsuffolk.gov.uk or by letter to  Planning Department, East Suffolk House, Station Road, Melton, Woodbridge IP12 1RT quoting reference DC/22/1395/FUL.

You can see the detail of the application and Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s response on the Council’s website at: PDC/22/1395/FUL McDonalds Drive-Thru Gunton Meadows

If you are a local member you can copy your email or letter to your two Waveney District Council Ward members for Gunton (CMIS > Councillors).