 A WORLD authority in restoring derelict and contaminated land has hit out at development plans for the former International Garden Festival site. He argued that it should be left wild. Tony Bradshaw, Emeritus Professor of Botany at University of Liverpool, said the plans to build 1,300 flats would “wreck the carefully designed and unique qualities of the crucial coast range adjacent to the river”. Prof Bradshaw’s submission came on the day a public inquiry into the plans reconvened, after a three-week hearing which was supposed to finish in November over-ran. The inquiry is being held to help determine whether developers Langtree McLean should be allowed to build 1,300 flats, mostly in eight-storey apartment blocks, along with 68 traditional houses on the site in Otterspool. In his evidence to the inquiry, Prof Bradshaw said: “This is unique in the Merseyside context, situated adjacent to the river and to the existing area of Otterspool. “The original area was a wilderness before being landscaped, meaning that it was home to a unique range of wildlife adapted to living in waste land. “Some of this has returned; more can be expected with the passage of time. “As a result, it provides a major contribution to the heritage of wildlife and biodiversity of Merseyside. “Without going into further detail, it will be clear that the site is a unique and special addition to Merseyside, the character of which should not under any circumstances be lost or degraded.” He said it was “equal to, or better than, any of the best coastal parks existing in Britain” and that, although it might appear derelict, it was not and was best described as “unkempt”. Prof Bradshaw worked in the university’s Botany department for 20 years, and has published extensively on the restoration of derelict and contaminated land. He has acted on behalf of national governments and councils across the world in public inquiries on the subject. Involved in the initial establishment of the International Garden Festival site in 1984, Prof Bradshaw has been monitoring the site since. “At present, the site offers a pleasing place for the general public, its special qualities will be destroyed so that only a selected few individuals can have their private share instead,” he added. “There is no need to spell out what will be lost. “The seven ‘finger’ blocks, in particular, will wreck the carefully designed and unique qualities of the crucial ‘coast range’ area adjacent to the river, originally constructed at considerable expense. “Their size will be such as to dwarf the details of the whole of the rest of the area in an insensitive fashion.” He also argued that, because of maintenance costs, the site would be best left as semi-wild. “The scheme proposed will extinguish all the unique qualities of the area, originally so carefully created when the site was chosen for the first Garden Festival. “It would be an inconceivably narrow-minded decision.” But he said problems with the post-landfill nature of the site (pollutants and methane gas) could be dealt with if treated properly. Developers Langtree McLean argue that the development is needed to raise cash for the restoration of the 56-acre garden site that will become public parkland. Richard Jarrett, the developer’s contamination expert, told the inquiry that all groundwork on the site would be carried out in line with all regulatory controls and safety guidance. Protesters from Save the Festival Gardens Campaign insisted that building apartments on the site was not the only way of ensuring management of the site. Anstey Gilley told the inquiry: “Give us a chance and we will prove that it is possible, that the funding is out there, and that a private sector enabling scheme is not the only way of breathing new life into the Gardens. “A small-scale low-impact building that would involve minimal costs in terms of both its construction and running would allow for sensitive and appropriate management of the site and soon be funding itself and other projects.” She was forced to concede that the campaign could not raise the £13.8m Langtree McLean had spent acquiring the site, and would need to get it for a peppercorn amount if the group’s plans could become reality. The inquiry continues until Friday. Planning inspector Chris Turner will report his findings to Local Government Secretary Hazel Blears with a recommen- dation on whether to give the scheme planning permission. Riverlands scheme is on a former landfill site – this can cause problems, says Professor >>> | 
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