DOCSLIB.ORG

Habitat Regulations Assessment and Appropriate Assessment West Lancashire Borough Council Local Plan Preferred Options

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Habitat Regulations Assessment and Appropriate Assessment West Lancashire Borough Council Local Plan Preferred Options Habitat Regulations Assessment and Appropriate Assessment West Lancashire Borough Council Local Plan Preferred Options Issue 4 November 2011 Prepared for West Lancashire Borough Council Habitat Regulations Assessment and Appropriate Assessment, Local Plan Preferred Options Revision Schedule HRA/AA Report 47036991 November 2011 Rev Date Details Prepared by Reviewed by Approved by 01 18 Feb 2011 Issue 1 Leila Payne Gail Quartly-Bishop James Riley Ecologist/EIA Specialist Principal Ecologist Principal Ecologist 02 8 March 2011 Issue 2 Leila Payne Gail Quartly-Bishop James Riley Ecologist/EIA Specialist Principal Ecologist Principal Ecologist 03 25 Nov 2011 Revised policies Gail Quartly-Bishop James Riley Steve Muddiman Principal Ecologist Principal Ecologist Associate 04 29 Nov 2011 Revised Gail Quartly-Bishop Steve Muddiman Steve Muddiman following client Principal Ecologist Associate Associate comment URS/Scott Wilson Brunel House This document has been prepared in accordance with the scope of URS/Scott Wilson's 54 Princess Street appointment with its client and is subject to the terms of that appointment. It is addressed Manchester to URS/Scott Wilson's client. URS/Scott Wilson accepts no liability for any use of this document other than for the purposes for which it was prepared and provided. No person M1 6HS other than the client may copy (in whole or in part) use or rely on the contents of this document, without the prior written permission of the Company Secretary of URS/Scott Wilson Ltd. Any advice, opinions, or recommendations within this document should be Tel: 0161 907 3500 read and relied upon only in the context of the document as a whole. The contents of this document do not provide legal or tax advice or opinion. Fax: 0161 907 3501 © URS/Scott Wilson Ltd 2011 www.urs-scottwilson.com West Lancashire Borough Council Habitat Regulations Assessment and Appropriate Assessment, Local Plan Preferred Options Table of Contents 1 Introduction ...................................................................................... 8 1.1 Habitat Regulations Assessment ..................................................................................... 8 1.2 West Lancashire Local Plan............................................................................................. 9 2 Methodology ................................................................................... 12 2.1 Introduction..................................................................................................................... 12 2.2 A Proportionate Assessment.......................................................................................... 12 2.3 The Process of HRA....................................................................................................... 13 2.4 Stage Two: Likely Significant Effect Test (Screening).................................................... 14 2.5 Appropriate Assessment and Mitigation......................................................................... 15 2.6 Consultation with Statutory Bodies................................................................................. 16 2.7 Physical scope of the HRA............................................................................................. 16 2.8 The ‘in combination’ scope............................................................................................. 18 3 Pathways of Impact........................................................................ 22 3.1 Introduction..................................................................................................................... 22 3.2 Disturbance .................................................................................................................... 22 3.3 Atmospheric pollution ..................................................................................................... 28 3.4 Water resources ............................................................................................................. 31 3.5 Water quality .................................................................................................................. 33 3.6 Coastal squeeze and Loss of Supporting Habitat .......................................................... 34 4 Martin Mere SPA and Ramsar ....................................................... 37 4.1 Introduction..................................................................................................................... 37 4.2 Reasons for Designation ................................................................................................ 37 4.3 Historic Trends and Existing Pressures ......................................................................... 38 4.4 Nature Conservation Objectives..................................................................................... 39 4.5 Key Potential Pressures from West Lancashire ............................................................. 39 4.6 Likely Significant Effects of the Local Plan for Martin Mere SPA/Ramsar...................... 41 4.7 Likely Significant Effects of other Projects and Plans .................................................... 44 4.8 Screening Conclusion: Martin Mere SPA Ramsar.......................................................... 45 4.9 Appropriate Assessment: Direct Disturbance of Qualifying Bird Species/ Excessive Recreational Pressure................................................................................... 45 4.10 Appropriate Assessment: Loss of Supporting Habitat.................................................... 48 4.11 Appropriate Assessment and Mitigation: Deterioration in Water Quality........................ 49 4.12 Appropriate Assessment: Water Abstraction.................................................................. 50 4.13 Conclusion: Martin Mere SPA/Ramsar........................................................................... 52 5 Ribble and Alt Estuaries SPA / Ramsar Site ................................ 53 HRA/AA Report November 2011 3 West Lancashire Borough Council Habitat Regulations Assessment and Appropriate Assessment, Local Plan Preferred Options 5.1 Introduction..................................................................................................................... 53 5.2 Reasons for Designation ................................................................................................ 53 5.3 Historic Trends and Current Pressures .......................................................................... 54 5.4 Nature Conservation Objectives..................................................................................... 56 5.5 Key Potential Pressures from West Lancashire ............................................................. 56 5.6 Likely Significant Effects of the Local Plan on Ribble and Alt Estuaries SPA/Ramsar................................................................................................................... 57 5.7 Likely Significant Effects of other Projects and Plans .................................................... 60 5.8 Screening Conclusion: Ribble and Alt Estuaries SPA/Ramsar ...................................... 61 5.9 Appropriate Assessment: Direct Disturbance of Qualifying Bird Species/ Excessive Recreational Pressure................................................................................... 62 5.10 Appropriate Assessment: Loss of Supporting Habitat and Coastal Squeeze................. 65 5.11 Appropriate Assessment and Mitigation: Deterioration in Water Quality........................ 66 5.12 Appropriate Assessment: Water Abstraction.................................................................. 66 5.13 Conclusion: Ribble and Alt Estuaries SPA/Ramsar........................................................ 67 6 Sefton Coast SAC........................................................................... 69 6.1 Introduction..................................................................................................................... 69 6.2 Reasons for Designation ................................................................................................ 69 6.3 Historic Trends and Current Pressures .......................................................................... 69 6.4 Nature Conservation Objectives..................................................................................... 70 6.5 Key Potential Pressures from West Lancashire ............................................................. 71 6.6 Likely Significant Effects of the Local Plan on Sefton Coast SAC.................................. 72 6.7 Likely Significant Effects of other Projects and Plans .................................................... 73 6.8 Screening Conclusion: Sefton Coast SAC ..................................................................... 75 6.9 Appropriate Assessment: Recreational Trampling ......................................................... 75 6.10 Appropriate Assessment: Water Abstraction.................................................................. 76 6.11 Conclusion: Sefton Coast SAC ...................................................................................... 77 7 Mersey Narrows & North Wirral Foreshore pSPA / pRamsar Site .................................................................................. 78 7.1 Introduction..................................................................................................................... 78 7.2 Reasons for Designation ...............................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Countryside Jobs Service Weekly® the Original Weekly Newsletter for Countryside Staff First Published July 1994
    Countryside Jobs Service Weekly® The original weekly newsletter for countryside staff First published July 1994 Every Friday : 14 June 2019 News Jobs Volunteers Training CJS is endorsed by the Scottish Countryside Rangers Association and the Countryside Management Association. Featured Charity: Canal and River Trust www.countryside-jobs.com [email protected] 01947 896007 CJS®, The Moorlands, Goathland, Whitby YO22 5LZ Created by Anthea & Niall Carson, July ’94 Key: REF CJS reference no. (advert number – source – delete date) JOB Title BE4 Application closing date IV = Interview date LOC Location PAY £ range - usually per annum (but check starting point) FOR Employer Main text usually includes: Description of Job, Person Spec / Requirements and How to apply or obtain more information CJS Suggestions: Please check the main text to ensure that you have all of the required qualifications / experience before you apply. Contact ONLY the person, email, number or address given use links to a job description / more information, if an SAE is required double check you use the correct stamps. If you're sending a CV by email name the file with YOUR name not just CV.doc REF 1370-ONLINE-28/6 JOB Development Officer / Senior Development Officer - Ecologist BE4 30/6/19 LOC SOLIHULL PAY YES FOR SOLIHULL METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL Fixed term contract to 31/3/22. Our Conservation of the Historic Environment, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design and Ecology Team provides professional and technical advice on heritage, landscape, design, and ecology issues. The team is also responsible for the designation and management of Solihull’s 23 Local Nature Reserves and the delivery of externally funded projects.
    [Show full text]
  • 2. Concentrations and Movements of Waterbirds with Potential to Spread Avian Influenza
    2. Concentrations and movements of waterbirds with potential to spread Avian Influenza 2.1 Introduction 2.1.1 Waterbird numbers, distribution and key sites The International Waterbird Census (IWC), Coordinated by Wetlands International and its predecessor organization, IWRB, was established in Europe and West Asia in 1967 and in Africa in 1990. Every year in January, over 20 million waterbirds are counted in the Western Palearctic, and up to 10 million in Subsaharan Africa by a network of about 14,000 largely voluntary waterbird counters (Gilissen et al. 2002, Dodman & Diagana 2003). The use of standardized methods and recording forms and modern computer software ensures that a continental-scale time series of data on waterbird numbers, distribution and population trends is available as the scientific basis of waterbird conservation (e.g. Wetlands International 2002, 2005 Delany et al. 2005). Counts are conducted in January because this is when many waterbird species congregate conspicuously at a relatively small number of sites where they can be readily counted. The January count is supplemented in Subsaharan Africa by a second annual count in July, and there are plans for additional counts throughout Europe, Africa and Asia, in March-April and September-October, to collect information from sites important during migration. 2.1.2 Interpretation of IWC data More than 100 countries now participate in IWC around the world. The Census is coordinated at National Level by a wide variety of organisations and institutes and there are differences in approach which should be borne in mind when interpreting the resulting count data. The census is site-based, and defining sites in a standard way is problematic.
    [Show full text]
  • Ensuring That Tests of Conservation Interventions Build on Existing Literature
    Title Ensuring tests of conservation interventions build on existing literature Authors Sutherland, WJ; AlvarezCastañeda, ST; Amano, T; Ambrosini, R; Atkinson, P; Baxter, JM; Bond, AL; Boon, PJ; Buchanan, KL; Barlow, J; Bogliani, G; Bragg, OM; Burgman, M; Cadotte, MW; Calver, M; Cooke, SJ; Corlett, RT; Devictor, V; Ewen, JG; Fisher, M; Freeman, G; Game, E; Godley, BJ; Gortázar, C; Hartley, IR; Hawksworth, DL; Hobson, KA; Lu, M; MartínLópez, B; Ma, K; Machado, A; Maes, D; Mangiacotti, M; McCafferty, DJ; Melfi, V; Molur, S; Moore, AJ; Murphy, SD; Norris, D; Oudenhoven, APE; Powers, J; Rees, EC; Schwartz, MW; Storch, I; Wordley, C Date Submitted 2020-09-02 Ensuring that tests of conservation interventions build on existing literature William J. Sutherland1 , Sergio Ticul Alvarez-Castañeda2, Tatsuya Amano3, Roberto Ambrosini4, Philip Atkinson5, John M Baxter6, Alexander L. Bond7, Philip J Boon8, Katherine L Buchanan9, Jos Barlow10, Giuseppe Bogliani11 , Olivia M. Bragg12, Mark Burgman13, Marc W. Cadotte14, Michael Calver15, Steven J. Cooke16, Richard T. Corlett17, Vincent Devictor18, John G Ewen19, Martin Fisher20, Guy Freeman21, Edward Game22, Brendan J. Godley23, Christian Gortázar24, Ian R. Hartley25, David L Hawksworth26, Keith A. Hobson27, Ming-Lun Lu28, Berta Martín-López29, Keping Ma30, Antonio Machado31, Dirk Maes32, Marco Mangiacotti33, Dominic J. McCafferty34, Victoria Melfi35, Sanjay Molur36, Allen J. Moore37, Stephen D. Murphy38, Darren Norris39, Alexander P.E. van Oudenhoven40, Jennifer Powers41, Eileen C. Rees42, Mark W. Schwartz43, Ilse Storch44 and Claire Wordley1 1 Conservation Evidence, Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, David Attenborough Building, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UK 2. Therya, Sergio Ticul Alvarez-Castañeda, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, La Paz, BCS 23096, México 3.
    [Show full text]
  • What's on at WWT Wetland Centres February 2020
    What’s On at WWT Wetland Centres February 2020 Arundel https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/arundel/ WWT Arundel, Mill Road, Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 9PB World Wetlands Day Sunday 2 February Free activities with admission https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/arundel/whats-on/world-wetlands-day-1/5526 Celebrate wetlands on a historic Ramsar Boat Safaris, a special walk & talks or fun family activities about about amazing wetlands. We stay open until 5.30pm to watch for the Marsh Harrier roost. Nest Box Know How walks Saturday 8 – Sunday 9 February 11.00 or 15.00 Free with admission (sign up on the day) https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/arundel/whats-on/nest-box-know-how- walks/5527 See the variety of nest boxes our wardens use onsite and discover who uses them on Nest Box Know How walks. Ask for advice for bringing the birds to your yard, just in time for National Nestbox week. Check out the boxes and feeders on sale in our shop. South East Puddle Jumping Championship Saturday 15 – Sunday 23 February Competition times 11.00 and 14.30. Practice puddles open all day Participation in all Southeast Puddle Jumping Championship activities is included in your admission price https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/arundel/whats-on/soth-east-puddle-jumping- championship/5598 Put on your wellies, get out into nature and have a splashing time! Our puddle jumping championships are the perfect rainy day activity. It's fun for all the family, not just the kids – grown-ups can join in the championships too! Grown-ups, unleash your inner child, release every day stress and get splashing.
    [Show full text]
  • A Review of the Ornithological Interest of Sssis in England
    Natural England Research Report NERR015 A review of the ornithological interest of SSSIs in England www.naturalengland.org.uk Natural England Research Report NERR015 A review of the ornithological interest of SSSIs in England Allan Drewitt, Tristan Evans and Phil Grice Natural England Published on 31 July 2008 The views in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of Natural England. You may reproduce as many individual copies of this report as you like, provided such copies stipulate that copyright remains with Natural England, 1 East Parade, Sheffield, S1 2ET ISSN 1754-1956 © Copyright Natural England 2008 Project details This report results from research commissioned by Natural England. A summary of the findings covered by this report, as well as Natural England's views on this research, can be found within Natural England Research Information Note RIN015 – A review of bird SSSIs in England. Project manager Allan Drewitt - Ornithological Specialist Natural England Northminster House Peterborough PE1 1UA [email protected] Contractor Natural England 1 East Parade Sheffield S1 2ET Tel: 0114 241 8920 Fax: 0114 241 8921 Acknowledgments This report could not have been produced without the data collected by the many thousands of dedicated volunteer ornithologists who contribute information annually to schemes such as the Wetland Bird Survey and to their county bird recorders. We are extremely grateful to these volunteers and to the organisations responsible for collating and reporting bird population data, including the British Trust for Ornithology, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the Joint Nature Conservancy Council seabird team, the Rare Breeding Birds Panel and the Game and Wildlife Conservancy Trust.
    [Show full text]
  • Goosenews 18, 2019
    The newsletter of the Goose & Swan Monitoring Programme news goose ISSUE No. 18 | AUTUMN 2019 What's hiding behind the hill? GPS tracking of Pink-footed Geese Latest results of GSMP surveys Goose News Issue18 pp.indd 1 05/09/2019 09:47 Editorial Welcome to the 18th edition of GooseNews. This edition marks the start of a season which new sites, so that we can try to ensure sees the 60th Icelandic-breeding Goose good coverage during each census. A Census (IGC; see page 15) and the sixth recent study of GPS tagged Pinkfeet has International Swan Census (see page 5) take shown how technology can help us locate new place. Both censuses monitor their respective survey sites; with data collected during the goose and swan populations at the flyway (i.e. project identifying a number of possible new international) scale; thus the data collected are Pinkfoot roost sites that we previously did not used to estimate the size of the whole population. know about (see page 6). However, these data, along with those from other goose and swan surveys, also contribute It is widely recognised that many bird surveys to national estimates and earlier in 2019, the would not be what they are without the most recent estimates for wintering waterbirds in considerable contribution from the networks of Britain were published - see page 29. volunteer observers. However, there are also teams of volunteers providing essential support Amongst the estimates listed for wintering geese, behind the scenes, often in roles that the largest by far is that for the Greenland / may seem less inspiring than being out Iceland Pink-footed Goose (510,000 individuals), in the field (see page 8), and to them we must one of the populations monitored by the IGC (see also remember to give our sincere thanks.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Lapwing Cycling Route
    Lapwing Cycle Route_Layout 1 20/11/2014 12:29 Page 1 ROUTE DESCRIPTION VISIT VISIT Sefton and West Lancs are continuing to develop the cycling offer within and This circular route will take you around the area by building on the existing through a wildlife rich area in potential. the heart of agricultural West Co-ordinated packages of activities, Lancashire. Starting at Burscough promoting and marketing the wider area, Wharf the route goes through the are continually being developed. north of Burscough and then passes For information on any upcoming events through or near several nature and other cycle routes see our website reserves. www.visitseftonandwestlancs.co.uk You will pass through the home of lapwings, dragonflies and CYCLE ROUTES butterflies at the WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre before reaching This route is one of a series of themed Tarlscough Moss and Burscough Wharf. You will also pass Windmill routes in Sefton and West Lancashire. Animal Farm and Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve. They are suitable for families and the less experienced cyclists and include many of the area’s landmarks. 1 Begin at Burscough Wharf, turn right onto the canal. Follow the towpath and continue to the swing-bridge by the Slipway public house. All routes are signed and have accompanying leaflets. These are 2 Turn right onto Crabtree Lane, then available at all Cycle Hire Centres or continue straight ahead to an via the website. unmanned level-crossing (take care and close the gates behind you). CYCLE HIRE Follow the lane to Red Cat Lane. If you are visiting Sefton and West Lancs and you don’t have your bike, you can still enjoy our range of themed routes by hiring a bike at one of our cycle hire 3 Turn left onto Red Cat Lane and then first right into Curlew Lane.
    [Show full text]
  • Developing a Wetland Centre…
    DDEEVVEELLOOPPIINNGG AA WWEETTLLAANNDD CCEENNTTRREE 11:: PPuubblliicc CCeennttrreess && CCEEPPAA An introductory manual by Wetland Link International (WLI) the global network of wetland centres 1 Contents 1. Introduction – Objectives and scope of the manual 2. The world of wetland centres – Their diversity and global reach 3. The context – CEPA (Communication, education and public awareness) 4. Why do you want a wetland centre? – Vision, mission and planning 5. Development – Creating the centre 6. What to say – Messages, themes and stories 7. And to whom – Audiences, access and inclusion 8. Interpretation – The interpretative approach 9. Hardware – Exhibitry, graphics, exhibitions, interactives, media. 10. Software – Human interpretation, events and activities. 11. Operations – Running the centre 11. Hearts and minds – Members, supporters, volunteers. Repeatability. Awareness/experience to action. 12. Case studies 13. Glossary 14. References and links 15. Acknowledgements Reed image: © Martin Senior/ WWT Hong Kong Wetland Park image: © AFCD, Hong Kong Government 2 Chapter 1 - Introduction “Can you help me? I’m interested in building a wetland centre” “This place is great – we must get one in our country” “What is a wetland centre, anyway, and where can I find out more?” The concept of a wetland centre is not familiar to many people. We understand the words ‘nature reserve’, ‘national park’, ‘botanic garden’, ‘museum’ and ‘zoo’. They invoke distinct images. But what is a wetland centre? This online manual attempts to answer the question. Further it outlines some of the philosophy, thinking and questions to be considered when developing and running a wetland centre. The emphasis is on CEPA (Communications, Education and Public Awareness) – the ‘people’ aspects of creating and running a wetland centre.
    [Show full text]
  • Ruddy Shelduck Shelduck
    +="( )" 5*, % *+ ,# %#8 " ) !" % Ruddy Shelduck was recorded in ten months of 20 at Cley Marsh in October. It is most and from 13 sites during 2005/06. The British likely that the majority of Ruddy Shelduck maximum of 22 was over twice that of the records originate from naturalised populations previous year. Half of the reports were of in mainland Europe. For example, numbers single birds and a further nine were of two have increased dramatically in Switzerland birds. All reports of more than two birds were over the last decade, with over 300 recorded from the North Norfolk Coast. These were of during waterbird counts there in November three at Holkham and Burnham Overy Fresh 2005, mostly in the northern half of the Marshes in January, and a record WeBS count country (V. Keller pers. comm.) "( 0 #$ -& :: 2" % - 2" 42 !+ 42 !" !+ The British Index for Shelduck dropped just coming during the moult period in July, whilst slightly in 2005/06, whilst the maximum count counts on the adjacent Dee Estuary peak in the was at its lowest for 30 years. The Northern autumn, and there is presumably a certain Ireland index, however, continues to rise as it degree of redistribution between these two has done steadily since the low in the early sites. Counts from the other sites supporting 1990s. The British monthly index shows a internationally important numbers were about peak in February following a gradual increase in line with their respective five-year means, through the winter as many birds return from with the exception of the Wash where numbers their moulting grounds in northwest Germany.
    [Show full text]
  • Practical Conservation Grazing Placement at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre
    Practical Conservation Grazing Placement at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust has a placement opportunity available for 2021-2022 to assist in the management of a breeding herd of English longhorn cattle, volunteering alongside the reserves management team. This placement will be based at the beautiful WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre in Lancashire, where much of the land is managed through conservation grazing. This opportunity will offer applicants a range of practical experiences in cattle management and grazing, as well as in wetland management and species monitoring. This post would suit those who are interested in conservation grazing and farming with livestock, have a good variety of skills, and enjoy being outside and part of small enthusiastic teams. The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust is one of the UK’s leading conservation organisations in wetland ecology with a long history of managing wetland sites and conducting research and re-introduction programmes in the UK. Our reserves are exciting places to be throughout the year. Large flocks of shoveler, wigeon and golden plover can be seen each winter, alongside the thousands of swans, and the reed fringes are a good place to spot wintering bitterns or otters. While in summer waders such as redshank and lapwing nest in the grasslands and dragonflies cruise the waterways. Water voles are a common sight in spring and summer, and there’s always a variety of reptiles and amphibians. While successful candidates will need to commit to volunteer at WWT Martin Mere for 52 weeks, volunteering for approximately 37.5 hours per week, which may include weekends, there will be excellent opportunities to develop useful skills for the UK job market in areas of ecology, conservation grazing and reserves management.
    [Show full text]
  • Wetlands and Wellbeing: a Guide for Winter
    Wetlands and wellbeing: A guide for winter Ideas and inspiration to help you connect with nature during the winter, as well as information on how engaging with wetlands can improve our wellbeing. #WetlandWellbeing 2 A natural remedy This year, we connected with nature in new and surprising ways. Many of us found comfort in the longer days of spring and In the crazy world of felt hope as we watched nature come to life today, when the human around us. As the leaves start to fall and the nights draw in, many of us are wondering race seems so little able to what the future holds. Now more than control its destiny, when ever we need to make the most of nature’s healing powers. crises and depressions Although research1 suggests that 120 minutes might follow each other in mad be the optimal amount of time to spend in nature a week, this can be made up of short spells – and succession, the need for we should prioritise quality over quantity. Making escape is more urgent a deep emotional connection2 with nature is more beneficial than exposure alone. And even if you can’t and the call of wild places get outside, there are ways to bring the outside in, through creativity and community. more insistent than ever. Footnotes: > Wild Chorus, Peter Scott 1938, P1. 1 Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing, Mathew P.White et al (2019). University of Exeter Medical School 2 Applying the Pathways to Nature Connectedness at Societal Scale, Prof.
    [Show full text]
  • Access Statement
    Access Statement WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre Fish Lane, Burscough L40 0TA A visual story of the centre is available to either download from the website or to request a copy when you arrive at the centre. The car park It is free to park vehicles at Martin Mere. There are two large blue badge holder car parks catering for 25 vehicles. One of the sections is tarmacked whilst the other is stoned. These car parks are located within 15 metres of the main entrance over a sloped paved walkway. Arrival There is a push button to open the main entrance doors which is is 90cm above the ground and the door opens to a width of 118cm. Upon entry the admissions desk height is 74cm. The admissions area and whole building has level access. The exit doors back to the car park are automatic opening. Free wheelchairs and a mobility scooter are available at the centre and these can be requested on arrival or in advance by emailing [email protected]. Visitors should have previous experience of driving mobility scooters in order to request to hire one at Martin Mere. Mobility scooter must be booked in advance of your visit. You are allowed to bring your own mobility scooters. It is free for carers to enter the centre. A Walkabout guide is available to purchase at the entrance at a cost of £3.50 and it contains pictures of all of the birds we have on our site. Day planners are also available from the information desk that contain a map to help you find your way around and a summary of what to see during your visit.
    [Show full text]