Homes plan could destroy last wild crayfish population

More than 160 people have responded to plans to build the homes on Newland Grange.

Many have objected to the plan for the green field site, off Stocks Lane, saying it is a species-rich rare grassland with a high biodiversity, of national importance.

The site is home to wildlife including red kites, greenfinches and swifts which are a high conservation priority. 

Malvern resident and lecturer in Ecology and Environmental Management at Worcester University, Dr Duncan Westbury, is concerned about what the proposal means for biodiversity on a national scale.

Dr Westbury explained that Newland Grange has six hectares of species rich land, and that only 0.5 hectares of this type of land is needed for it to be designated a site of special scientific interest. 

He said: "The fact that we've got six makes this not only locally important but nationally important.

"Throughout Europe, there's not much of that type of landscape left so it's also nationally important."

Regarding the letters, Dr Westbury added: "The response is amazing and it's unprecedented as far as I'm aware for Malvern Hills District Council.

"It's because we're in this biodiversity emergency and people are saying enough is enough." 

Keith Falconer, who runs the Malvern Hills Crayfish Group, said: "There has been a great threat to our native White Clawed crayfish from the invasive alien species called the Signal Crayfish which was introduced into Europe many years ago, but was only brought to the UK in the 1980s.

Image from PA Explore: White clawed crayfish

"The Signal Crayfish carries a deadly fungus that has now wiped out the white clawed crayfish in many of the river systems of our country.

"Recently a thriving population in the Wyre Forest near Kidderminster suffered this fate and so the few crayfish that survive in the brooks around Malvern are probably the last wild crayfish in Worcestershire. 

"The remaining crayfish are 'indicator species' of a clean unpolluted stream and act as a warning about how far our ecosystems have been damaged.

"If we are able to keep them in Malvern, through halting development along the banks of the streams and through preventing new drainage into them, and also by careful monitoring of the life that survives in the years to come by properly funded professional ecologists, then this will give hope for the future of wildlife in our countryside.

"Alternatively, we can say that there is no place in our county for natural and wild species." 

Councillor Sarah Rouse, Portfolio Holder for Environment at Malvern Hills District Council, said: “As with all planning applications, this will be evaluated by taking all relevant impacts into account, including biodiversity.

"Ecological reports and assessments will be required from the applicant, and we will consult with a number of environmental organisations including Natural England, and the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust.”