It could be farewell to wildlife as councillors are urged to back salmon-rearing factory on South Bank of Humber

                                               

The wildlife site - with Grimsby dock tower in the background

 

A NATURE-rich  site on the South Bank of the Humber could be forfeited to make way for a salmon-rearing factory.

The former railway sidings  land in Cleethorpes, near Grimsby, was designated of wildlife interest by North East Lincolnshire Council because  of its wealth of biodiversity - especially wildflowers and 22 species of butterfly.

It also attracts rare and unusual migrant birds such as whinchats, snow buntings and black redstarts.

There are also records of bluethroat and both red-backed and great grey shrike.

For a few days in April this year, an Alpine swift circled overhead.

However, a London-based firm has  earmarked the site for a £75-million factory that would create 80 jobs.

It says mitigation, such as nestboxes, would be installed to compensate for the loss of other wildlife.

No objection has been raised by Natural England.

At a meeting on November 29, councillors will be recommended to grant planning consent for the project. 

                                         

Bluethroat - one of several rare species recorded on the site