'NEGATIVE' CAMPAIGN OF SPURN PROJECT OBJECTORS RAMPED UP COSTS FOR TRUST

A 'FEW' VOCAL INDIVIDUALS ADDED EXPENSE TO THE APPLICATION PROCESS

 WILL supporters and objectors smoke from the same peace pipe after a decision is reached on the proposed visitor centre at Spurn?

The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust was making some conciliatory noises at a pre-planning meeting  on January 23, but it remains to be seen if harmony can be achieved.

In its 2016 annual report, the trust stated: "Producing a thorough planning application for the new centre has been very time-consuming and costly. 

"Spurn is a sensitive site and planning required a huge amount of technical work, much of which requires professional input. 

"Added to this, a negative and somewhat vocal campaign by a few individuals absorbed a huge amount of senior staff time and added further expense to the process. 

"Some of this expense is covered by our main funder for the centre (EON) although YWT has had to spend substantial extra funds to facilitate  a planning submission. 

"Nevertheless, a planning submission was put in just before Christmas. 

"After seven months of waiting, we were extremely disappointed at the recent decision of East Riding of Yorkshire Council to reject planning permission, particularly as the application was recommended for approval by the planning case officer. 

"The trust will continue to seek the best solution for Spurn National Nature Reserve, to protect its wildlife and provide safe access for visitors to the site."