Rare crayfish could be impacted by Cales Farm plans

The white-clawed crayfish is only found in a handful of places in Worcestershire including the catchment of Whippets Brook in Malvern.

The brook runs just north of Cales Farm, land which has just been approved for up to 200 homes.

At a planning committee meeting on Wednesday, residents and councillors called for wildlife in the area to be protected.

Planning officer Clare Bull said: “White-clawed crayfish are very rare in Worcestershire and the Careys and Whippets brook, which are close to the site - the catchments are among the last known habitats of this species in the county.”

APPROVED: Councillors gave the scheme the green light at a meeting this week (Image: Phil Wilkinson-Jones/LDRS)

The Environment Agency describes the area as “the stronghold” for the species in Worcestershire.

The agency said in its submission to Malvern Hills District Council: “There is a risk of sedimentation during construction running off the site into the brook during heavy rain or times of flood.

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“We would therefore state that there could be a risk of long-term damage to the white-clawed crayfish population in this catchment without mitigation.”

It asked for biosecurity measures to be put into place during construction including the wheel washing of vehicles entering the site.

“We would want to see that no crayfish habitat is destroyed, or that it is compensated for. This includes cobbles and boulders instream as well as woody vegetation and root systems in the brook and riparian trees.”

The council’s natural heritage and biodiversity officer Jane Sedgeley-Strachan said: “In addition to the impacts listed in the Environment Agency’s response, I consider there may be risks associated [with] increased recreational pressure.

“The proposed development site is well linked to Whippets Brook through a series of footpaths.

“Increased use of the brook by people and dogs could impact on the WCC and habitats including the introduction of pesticides used for flea treatment in dogs entering the watercourse.

“Mitigation measures should be covered in the white-clawed crayfish strategy and could include signage and education packs for householders.”

Conditions to minimise the impact of the development on the species were included in plans approved by the committee at Wednesday’s meeting.