[vole-woman]

I wonder if anyone can help me?

There's a proposal going round my area that our local nature reserve be developed by flooding it and turning it into an angling lake, while the stream leading into it be widened to take canal boats nearer into the centre of town.

On paper it looks fantastic (model boating area, fishing, interpretation centre) and the idea's getting lots of interest and support. But at the moment, the place is a wild haven for butterflies and water voles - the most brilliant habitat - and I'm really worried that the improvements will do environmental damage (especially to the voles).

The people behind the plan already have outline planning consent, but I'm wondering, would they have to re-apply, or have some sort of new survey done now water voles have increased protection? Is there any way I (Joe Public) could press for an environmental expert to be part of the package when they look at putting together the fine detail of the plans?

The argument is that the place will be improved, but it's already beautiful, and superb water vole habitat. All I can see is that it's going to be a lot more man-managed! And what happens to the voles while they dig out this great boating/angling lake?

If I oppose the development straight out, I think I'm going to be a lone, unpopular voice. So if anyone has any ideas, advice or information, I'd be ever so grateful.