VIEWS on a proposed new habitat site in North Somercotes have been gathered at a workshop held by the Environment Agency.

As reported, the Environment Agency has bought a 140 hectare site in the North Somercotes and RAF Donna Nook area.

The scheme aims to replace habitats which will be lost to rising sea levels and help with the realignment of the coast around the Humber estuary.

The plan would involve allowing the sea banks to be breached to help create salt marsh for birds and would involve building a new higher bank at the back of the site which the agency said will act as a better flood defence.

Concerns were raised by residents in the area, as the scheme involves flooding the only grade 1 agricultural land in the vicinity.

The meeting at North Somercotes Church Hall was attended by about 80 people.

Project manager John Pygott said: "There will be a further meeting this Tuesday which will show how we want to address the issues raised."

He said there are about half a dozen main issues raised from the meeting including traffic and site access, particularly during the grey seal season; more information on the general background to the scheme, learning opportunities for schools to visit the sites, and business opportunities.

Mr Pygott said: "We hope to show people how other similar sites have been developed where hotels and camp sites have been created to benefit from any associated business opportunities."

ELDC ward member Coun Robert Palmer has said previously in the Target he is against any scheme which will see the loss of grade 1 land.

He is hoping to arrange a separate meeting on February 5.

He said: "The Environment Agency meeting was just for their consultation procedure. I hope to arrange a separate meeting where I will be inviting MP Sir Peter Tapsell and the Bishop of Lincoln as he has shown interest in the amount of food the county produces now and for the future, and also MEPs.

"I think there are a lot of people against this scheme because of the land that will be taken away for food production to allow birds to wet their feet."

The Environment Agency meeting will be held on Tuesday at North Somercotes Primary School on Warren Road, from 6.30pm-8pm.