Another trial for bike club
A rare species of orchid growing on a patch of scrubland will NOT be flattened if the area becomes a trials bike club, Milton Keynes Parks Trust has promised this week.
For the delicate pyramidal plants will be carefully removed from the land at Mount Farm and replanted a few miles away at Elfield Park, officials have revealed.
The proposed move is an incredible irony for the bike club, Milton Buzzards, who were forced to quit their base in the very same spot at Elfield Park four years ago.
The Buzzards, who had used the designated noisy sports area for 25 years, had to leave because of redevelopment plans for the site.
But these plans were scrapped when environmentalists discovered Elfield Park was a breeding ground for the rare Great Crested Newt.
Now, with the help of the Parks Trust, the newts are thriving – but the homeless bike club has been battling for three years to use the patch of land at Mount Farm, off the V8.
This month, though, they looked set to be dragged into another conservation controversy when Open University plant specialist Dr Mike Dodd discovered dozens of orchids growing there.
"The pyramidal orchid is very rare indeed in Milton Keynes yet there are areas on this site with over 50 of these plants in a few square metres.
"There are also large numbers of bee orchids and some very unusual white forms of common spotted orchid," he said.
Parks Trust operation manager Rai Darke was quick to reassure Dr Dodds that the orchids would not be lost if the bike club plans go ahead.
"We have done everything we can ensure the environment will be protected. We will certainly preserve the orchids and move them to a safe site at Elfield Park.
"We appreciate Dr Dodd's concern and we would be delighted if he could help us in this matter," he added.
Meanwhile, the planning application for change of use to a trials bike area is due to be considered shortly by Milton Keynes Council.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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