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| Senior officer has given her support to the controversial proposal |
But many birders will be upset by recommendation
THERE has been a huge boost for the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's hopes of building a £900,000 visitor centre at Spurn.
After assessing the arguments on both sides of the debate, senior East Riding council planning officer Karen Abba, who is case officer for the controversial application, has come down in favour of granting consent.
Her stance is likely to be hugely significant when the council's planning committee makes its decision on the afternoon of Friday January 26.
In her report recommending approval, the officer states: "The proposed development would generate potential benefits to the local economy by helping to improve the East Riding's tourism offer by providing a specific place for visitors to Spurn.
"The proposal will improve the management and control over access to the peninsula which is limited to access over the low tide.
"It is accepted that some limited harm may occur as a result of the introduction of a new building in an undeveloped area.
"However, it is considered that this will have a less than significant on the special landscape quality of the heritage coast.
"The building is only modest in height at six metres and will be partly screened by the existing
bunding and the proposed bunding and scrub.
"It is considered that the application has demonstrated that sufficient mitigation could be incorporated into the scheme to overcome the limited harm and ensure the development is
appropriate in relation to wildlife impact, flood risk, heritage assets, heritage coast, coastal
erosion and residential amenity."
The officer's recommendation will dismay the project's opponents - including many residents and birdwatchers - who fear commercialisation will have a seriously detrimental impact on wildlife and the unique wild character of this section of the Yorkshire heritage coast.
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