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PROTECTING VULNERABLE SEFTON COASTLINE MUST BE TOP PRIORITY
NATURAL
England hopes to agree a mutual solution that would help keep
Anthony Gormley's 'Iron Men' statues on Sefton coast whilst
safeguarding the internationally recognised nature conservation
interests of the site. A decision on the statues' retention is due
to be made by Sefton Borough Council.
The coastline stretching from the Dee estuary to the Ribble estuary
is internationally recognised by several statutory designations
designed to protect the region's wildlife, including a European
Special Protected Area (SPA), a RAMSAR designation as a wetland of
international importance, a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a
Site of Special Scientific Interest. (SSSI).
"Retaining Anthony Gormley's iron men statues in their current
positions on a permanent basis risks having a significant impact on
the fragile beaches of the Sefton Coast and on the bird populations
using them" says Richard Leafe, North West regional director
of Natural England, the government's environmental adviser.
"We would like to see the statues retained but moved away from
the most vulnerable bird feeding areas. We have been working towards
this win win win solution with the applicant and planners from
Sefton Borough Council to deliver economic, social and environmental
benefits at the same time. We are opposed to retaining the
statues positioned within sensitive bird feeding areas on the lower
shore. Visitors bring significant disturbance to the estuary bird
population and this adversely impacts on their feeding and migrating
patterns. At particular risk are the bar-tailed godwit and the
sanderling populations."
Natural England is responsible for maintaining the habitats and
geological features of designated sites in as natural state as
possible. It is tasked by government with ensuring that the
country's coastline and estuaries are able to support rich habitats
and wildlife for future generations.
The coastline is a mix of sandy beaches, tidal flats and a mobile
dune system. Internationally important populations of water birds
including 28 key conservation species- sanderling, bar-tailed godwit
and ringed plover, for example - use the area.
Richard adds; "While encouraging public access along the
length of the coastline is of increasing importance, it is essential
that we ensure the right balance between public access and the
protection of sensitive habitats and species populations. That's why
we believe that the fragile inter-tidal area used by important
wildfowl and wader populations at Sefton coast must be protected." |
Mersey Waterfront will help keep Gormley statues on Crosby Beach
MERSEY
Waterfront on Thursday 8 March, revealed it is contributing
just over £500,000 to help Sefton Council buy Antony Gormley’s 100
iconic ‘Iron Men’ from the artist.
Mersey Waterfront, supported by the Northwest Regional Development
Agency (NWDA) has confirmed the news following last night’s decision
by Sefton Council to extend planning permission for the Another
Place installation. £1million of the £1.5million needed to
purchase Another Place has already been secured from the Northern
Way, John Prescott's initiative to close the economic gap between
the North and South of the country. Another Place Ltd is now
spearheading the campaign to raise a final £0.5million to maintain
and manage the statues.
Director of Mersey Waterfront, Louise Goodman, said;- “Another
Place is a valuable addition to our surprisingly diverse 135km
coastline. Antony Gormley’s sculptures are genuinely visionary and
have done a great deal to showcase our coastline both nationally and
internationally in a relatively short time. That’s why, in the
run-up to Capital of Culture Year, we’re proud to be playing a part
in keeping the sculptures here in Merseyside.”
Peter Mearns, NWDA Director of Marketing and Communications, said:-
“The role of public art is widely acknowledged as an important
economic driver as well as a catalyst for further regeneration. This
iconic project has already made a valuable contribution to the
visitor economy in Crosby attracting attention from all over the
world. I am confident that this spectacular feature will form an
important part of Liverpool’s tourism offer and support the city’s
cultural programme in 2008.”
The 100 cast iron figures each weigh 650kilos and are casts of the
artist’s own body. They are partly submerged at different times of
day depending on changing tides and weather conditions. Another
Place has previously been displayed in Germany, Norway and Belgium.
Details of the tide times at Crosby are available on
www.merseywaterfront.com.
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