The Restoration of the Rockland Broad Bird Hide

SAVE OUR BIRD HIDE!!

The current bird hide was installed on the RSPB’s land over 25 years ago and subsequent councils throughout 2017/18 were in discussion regarding repairs to the hide and tried to find a way to work with the RSPB who were unable to fund the cost themselves.  The hide stayed closed throughout Covid19 and of course to date.

Since this time, the hide has fallen into even more disrepair, and you have seen the holes in the side wall, boardwalk, and the roof. All signage has been ripped off. Teenagers have been seen on the roof on several occasions, and apart from it being an eyesore it is dangerous and needs to be removed and replaced before there is a serious accident.

The parish council explored the possibility of leasing RSPB land on the corner of the Short Dike for a new smaller hide overlooking the broad, however permission was not granted for the new location so the only option available is to remove and replace the hide in its current location.

The RSPB do not have the funds to restore or replace the bird hide but believes that there is enough interest in this project to fund raise enough to replace the hide. The site would be leased to the council and the hide become a community asset maintained by the council.

The parish council through its Bird Hide Working Group (BHWG) has provided the RSPB and the Broads Authority with scale drawings in order to facilitate the replacement of the hide and have also obtained quotations for consideration, the project will cost in the region of £50,000 to complete.

The 2^nd pre planning application was submitted to the Broads Authority reply received on 25 July 2024. Despite being an application to replace ‘like for ‘like’ there were many queries that the BHWG were not qualified to answer like Biodiversity Net Gain.

The loss of the bird hide would be a tragedy not only for Rockland St Mary and the surrounding parishes but for both hikers on the Wherryman’s Way and birdwatchers and naturalists who come to enjoy the large variety of birds and wildlife who use the broad. The presence of the made-up walkway to the bird hide also enables access for all including passing places for wheelchairs and buggies to the hide making it a fully inclusive facility.

The presence of the bird hide has emphasised Rockland Broad’s importance as a major reserve for wildlife, with birds spotted such as Hobby, Marsh Harrier, Kingfisher as well as gulls, swans, grebes, and cormorants.

The council fully supports the BHWG as it has statutory duties to uphold as a responsible and proactive council:

• Recreation – The Power to provide a wide range of recreational activities – Local Gov Act 1976, s.19
• Open Spaces – Power to acquire & maintain land for public recreation – Public Health Act 1875 s164.
• Power to acquire and maintain land for open spaces – Open Spaces Act 1910 ss9/10.
• Tourism – Power to encourage tourism to the council’s area – Local Gov Act 1971 s.144