"a rare orchid has been destroyed. Marjorie Van de Gevel, of Coach Road, Lightcliffe, was walking her dogs on a Marshalls waste-management site at nearby Crow Nest in June, 2004, when she found a bee orchid (Ophrys apifera).
It was the first recorded in Calderdale. She also found a colony of southern marsh orchids (Dactylorhiza praetermissa) and a number of [natural] hybrids [which ones ?]. The plants were officially identified by experts from Calderdale Council's Country-side Services and Marshalls was notified. But the terms of the original planning permission, imposed when Marshalls was given permission for the waste-management site, said it would eventually have to landscape the area, restoring the land back to its natural state. Mrs Van de Gevel said: "The topography of the land has been heavily worked by machinery the site of the orchids has been effectively destroyed. "What hope is there for our planet when we cannot even protect the jewels on our doorstep? "This kind of careless destruction is happening in small ways on many thousands of interesting sites all over our country. Added together, the total effect is devastating." "I was so disappointed they did not appreciate how interesting it would be and what a wonderful site for Calderdale it would be, bringing in tourists and people interested in plants and creatures," she said. Hugh Firman, Calderdale Council's conservation officer, said: "Species like bee orchids are quite opportunistic and will turn up on this sort of disturbed land. "This is the first recorded in Calderdale so it is quite special. "Bee orchids and southern marsh orchids are important locally because they are restricted to a few sites and they are the sort of plants most local people will appreciate. "A short time ago I went on site and found about half the area had been destroyed. My advice was that the work should stop and that we come to an agreement that the area remaining was left as it was. "I visited the site again and it appears that work is ongoing and there has been further damage to the area where the orchids were. ... Rory Kendrick, managing director of Marshalls natural stone division, said: "We are aware a local resident has raised concerns regarding a bee orchid at our Crow Nest site. "The Crow Nest site, an old landfill site, is now being restored back to its natural state, as part of the existing planning permission for this site and legislative requirements imposed by the Environment Agency and Calderdale Council. "Marshalls' planning agent is willing to meet with the resident who has raised this issue on the site to discuss and investigate any concerns. "Marshalls are committed to sustainability and biodiversity across the group." " article URL : http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=2115419&SectionID=700 *********** Regards, VB _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [email protected] http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
