A legal challenge to protect Wirral beaches quickly reached its funding goal, aiming to stop habitat destruction.
Last year, officials said clearing West Kirby beach might have been illegal. Natural England had approved the work. The area is a special scientific site. Natural England promised to review future projects there. They will consider the impact of removing salt-marsh.
Wirral Council said they considered Natural England’s advice. Officials appeared satisfied. Still, clearing plants from the beaches is controversial. Hoylake residents want the beach cleared for recreation.
Natural England rejected a plan to clear Hoylake Beach. Now, only RNLI access is allowed. Two slipways can be cleared. A sand strip near the sea wall can be cleared. The RNLI area can also be cleared. Protected plants must be left alone.
Josh worries about impacts on protected species. He thinks other solutions are ignored. He says about 240 plants grow on Hoylake. Over 30 face extinction. People donated over £2,700 to support his legal costs. Wild Justice also supports him.
Josh says destroying protected sites is harmful. He thinks nature needs more protection now. Josh supports RNLI access to Hoylake beach. He says there are ways to allow access. These ways would protect important wildlife too. It does not have to be one or the other.
Wirral Council is reviewing Natural England’s advice. They are talking to partners before deciding what to do. The council said they acted properly on West Kirby. They followed Natural England’s advice. Officials said they saw no ongoing environmental law violations. Natural England did not comment.