Wildlife Trust opposed to Lincoln skate park plans
More opposition: Concerns are mounting over Hobblers Hole as the location for a new Lincoln skate park, with opposition from the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.
A local wildlife trust has come forward to oppose plans for a skate park on Hobblers Hole in Lincoln.
Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust stated that the area needs better management for wildlife rather than a development which could drive creatures away.
The City of Lincoln Council plans to build a state-of-the-art skate park on the site off Long Leys Road for the community.
The skate park plans for Hobblers Hole. Photo: Gravity Parks
Hobblers Hole was chosen after the original plans near the Grandstand could not go ahead, and due to its proximity both from the city centre and away from neighbours.
However, a number of residents in the Carholme Ward, including Councillors Neil Murray and Karen Lee, expressed concerns over the location of the facility.
The proposed location for Hobblers Hole. Map: Google
Now, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust has also made its stance clear on the plans.
Head of Conservation at the Trust, Caroline Steel, said: “Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust is aware of the proposals for development of a skate park at Hobbler’s Hole.
“In addition to its status as Critical Natural Asset, the area was selected as a Local Wildlife Site in 2007 in recognition of its wildlife value in a county context; however LWS status does not necessarily preclude development.
“There has been no management of the land at Hobbler’s Hole in recent years and it is not fulfilling its potential for wildlife.
“The Trust had let the council know that it would object to the development unless significant overall benefits for wildlife could be guaranteed through better management of the whole area: we are particularly keen to see restoration of the pond.
“We had said that when the planning application was submitted and we had all the available information we would look carefully at potential impacts on the wildlife of the area. We would oppose the development unless we could be certain that there would be significant long-term benefits for wildlife.
“As a result of public concern it now appears that an impartial, objective and measurable evaluation of all available sites will have to be conducted by the Council.
“This gives the opportunity to look at pond restoration and other improvements to Hobbler’s Hole without the threat of an imminent planning application.
“The Trust welcomes the opportunity for constructive dialogue with the Council on this basis: better management without development is the best possible option for the wildlife of Hobbler’s Hole.”
Residents local to Hobblers Hole area, who oppose the plans to locate the skate park on the green space.
Declining ecology
The City Council believe that the location is ideal for the skate park, as the ecology in the area is on the decline.
However, since the discovery of a rare newt in the pond on the site, the council agreed to improve the area for wildlife too.
Antony Angus, Recreation Services Team Leader at the city council, previously said: “We have considered a number of sites across Lincoln and believe that Hobblers Hole is the most viable.
“Studies over the last 30 years clearly demonstrate that the sites ecology has been declining for many years. A recent survey has concluded that the site no longer meets criteria for a Local Wildlife Site, something it previously did.
“The project will aim to reverse this trend as well as provide a fantastic facility for people to enjoy.
“When we have further developed the proposal and can answer accurately the various questions that have been raised by consultees, we will undertake further consultation. This will allow residents to have an informed opinion about the proposal.
“It is equally important of course for supporters of the project to voice their opinions. We welcome all comments,” he added.
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His family described him as an “NHS hero who dedicated his life to his career” and now he will be honoured as such at his funeral on Friday, January 22.
Tony Chadbourne worked in the ambulance service for over 20 years. | Photo: EMAS
Tony had recently received his 20 year service medal from EMAS, and was promoted to Duty Operations Manager a month before his passing.
EMAS posted a tribute on social media on the day of the funeral, vowing to mark Tony’s life with a minute’s silence at 12.45pm.
It reads: “Due to current national restrictions, we cannot pay our respects in the way we normally would for a colleague and so instead will be marking a minute’s silence at 12.45pm today, wherever we are.
“If you would like to join us in observing a minute’s silence to remember Tony, wherever you are at 12.45pm, please do.”
A number of heartfelt tributes have been shared by people at EMAS to remember Tony, from staff and bosses alike.
Richard Henderson, EMAS chief executive, said: “Losing Chad is incredibly sad, and it’s difficult to find the words to express how colleagues across the service will be feeling as they hear this devastating news.
“My thoughts are with Chad’s family, and his close colleagues and good friends, many of whom will be at work today and over the coming weeks; continuing to provide emergency and urgent care for those who need it.”
Her Royal Highness, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, surprised local healthcare staff at the Lincolnshire General Practice Nurse Conference.
The Queen’s daughter-in-law, who is married to Prince Edward, joined the start of the conference on Wednesday, January 20 and thanked all healthcare staff in Lincolnshire for their efforts during the pandemic.
She was welcomed to the conference on what was her 56th birthday by Dr Helen Garr.
She spoke with the nurses and healthcare assistants and asked how they were coping during the pandemic.
Nurses and HCAs attending the conference.
The day before her 89-year-old father had his COVID vaccine and Sophie said “it was a huge weight off my mind”.
“I know that that wouldn’t be happening without the care and attention of the nurses out in general surgeries,” she said.
The conference also included professional development sessions, the launch of the ShinyMind wellbeing app, and the General Practice Nurse and Health Care Assistant Awards.
The Lincolnshire Training Hub Team.
Lisa Freeman, Director of Nursing at Lincolnshire Training Hub, said: “To have such a high profile visitor attend our conference and recognise all of the hard work which goes on with nursing teams in Lincolnshire General Practice has provided a much needed boost to our workforce.
“We all headed into the practices with a spring in our step.”
Dr Runa Saha, GP and Medical Director at Lincolnshire Training Hub, said: “We are committeed to supporting the recruitment, training and development needs for General Practice in Lincolnshire. Our workforce are passionate about meeting the needs of the Lincolnshire patients.
“We are proud to be supporting the growth of the workforce through placements in Primary Care for students from the University of Lincoln and other institutions, creating a new generation of healthcare staff.”
Awards winners
Nurse of the Year – Celia Hughes
HCA/NA of the Year – Peter Malleappah
Nursing Team of the Year – Church Walk
Student Placement of the Year – Abbey Medical Group
The Extra Mile Award – Sue Smith
Outstanding Contribution to General Practice – Adele Parsons
NHS bosses are hoping to offer all care homes in Lincolnshire the first COVID vaccine dose by the end of the week.
Director of Nursing at Lincolnshire CCG Martin Fahy told BBC Radio Lincolnshire that about three quarters has been completed so far.
By Thursday, nearly 50,000 people in the county received doses of vaccine — more than half of the county’s over 80 population.
Mr Fahy said Lincolnshire’s health services had been “at great guns” now for a number of weeks.
“We’re on track to complete all our care homes by this weekend, so we’re really excited about that,” he said.
“Care homes are one of our top priority groups at the moment.”
“We were one of the first areas to open up, and we now have all of our local vaccination centres up and running.
“Lincolnshire is very much ahead of the game and we’re making really good progress in that respect.”
The figures released Thursday show 49,633 jabs between December 8 and January 17. It’s the first time localised figures have been released.
It means they do not include some figures from the Boston mass vaccination centre which opened at the beginning of the week.
The data shows that of the doses given, 24,253 were aged over 80 for their first dose, with a further 1,562 receiving a second jab.
Some 22,682 people under the age of 80 have received their first vaccination and another 1,136 have been given their second.
Lincolnshire County Council’s Director of Public Health Professor Derek Ward confirmed there were currently 15 care homes with an outbreak of more than one case.
They include around 70 residents and a similar number of staff.
Earlier today, he said the vaccination news across the county was “decent”, and added the NHS services across the county had been “doing a great job” in rolling it out.
However, he still urged more local details to be released.
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