This section summarizes official wildlife records for the proposed Parkside logistics site, based on data from the Greater Manchester Local Record Centre (GMLRC) and organisations like the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO). Notable species in the area include Barn Owl, Green Woodpecker, Red Kite, Brown Hare, rare bats, and 115 bird species, about 20 of which are endangered. See next page for list.
The UK government’s Environment Bill requires developers to show a 10% biodiversity net gain before project approval, by using a spreadsheet called the Defra Matrix, but wildlife decline continues. Campaigners call this greenwashing, arguing some developers exploit weakness in the legislation and undermine the bill’s intent. In 2024 National Audit Office raised risks as to effectiveness of BNG and whether compliance enforcement by local authorities was possible, given the fact Local Authorities have few resources to monitor results
Ecologists working for developers use the Defra spreadsheet to record actions such as planting saplings or wildflowers, aiming to demonstrate potential wildlife benefits for planning hearings. As these outcomes are rarely verified or, measured post event, the analysis remains a theoretical future assertion by the developer. The law actually requires local nature to be improved after the development. Its difficult to vision or evidence that from existing mitigation proposed on Parkside East and West.
Loss of wildlife threatens local heritage, reduces natural air quality protection, and negatively affects mental health and well-being. Given the range of local wildlife at this site monitoring wildlife progress through a managed nature reserve, is the optimum possible and something this site and the thousands of residents in the villages and towns around deserve. This is the prime option, for monitor and evidence by the Local Authorities and local public for this site area. In addition to providing a valuable public amenity.