Tiny but scarce butterfly threatens to hold up controversial Lincolnshire salmon-farming project

Rich in wildlife, including migrant birds and butterflies - the site earmarked for the intensive salmon-breeding building 

A POPULAR birding spot on the East Coast could be spared development - at least temporarily - after it was identified as being the home of a scarce butterfly.

The former New Clee railways sidings on the edge of Cleethorpes in North East Lincolnshire is an extensive area of scrubland which has attracted such scarce species as red-backed shrike, bluethroat and black redstart as well as more common migrants.

But even though designated a site of Local Wildlife Interest, the local council granted planning consent for it to be developed  - almost in its entirety - as an expansive indoor salmon 'farm'.

However, it has since emerged  that the land, which is behind the Blundell Park of Grimsby Town FC, is home to a fast-declining butterfly - the 'wall' - a tiny orange creature with a wingspan of just 50mm (two inches).

North East Lincolnshire Council is mindful of its responsibility to safeguard ecology and biodiversity, so a condition has been imposed on the consent.

This states: "Prior to development commencing, an up-to-date survey for the Wall butterfly at the appropriate time of year for both larvae and adult life stages with a subsequent habitat improvement and mitigation strategy (including timings for works to be completed) shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority."

The firm behind the salmon 'farm' scheme, Aquacultured Seafood Ltd, had hoped to start work on development in the first half of this year, but, given the importance of safeguarding the habitat of such a scarce butterfly, this may not now be possible.

                                     

Wall butterfly - small breeding colony on site earmarked for development