Plans for bungalow at Marsh Farm Deepdale set for refusal

Conservationist Andrew Crean applied to build aviaries and a warden's bungalow at Marsh Farm at Deepdale, near Burnham Market, last year.

But a decision was deferred by councillors last November pending more information regarding highways issues and "to clarify the justification for a new dwelling".

Deepdale Marsh, where Andrew Crean hopes to expand efforts to reintroduce the ruff (Image: David Hosking)

While issues regarding the access road onto the main A149 have now been resolved, West Norfolk's planning committee has been recommended to turn down the plans when they meet on Monday, March 4.

A report to councillors says: "While the principle of new aviaries is acceptable, insufficient information has been provided as part of this application to demonstrate that there is an existing functional need for a permanent new dwelling in association with the project or that the need could not be met through existing dwellings or by other means."

Mr Crean, who has restored former farmland at Marsh Farm to freshwater marsh, hopes to encourage ruff to breed by introducing young waders reared in aviaries to the site.

Young ruff being released into an aviary at Deepdale Marsh (Image: Chris Bishop)

He says after small-scale reintroductions of ruff, the project requires an on-site warden "to provide 24-hour care and security for the welfare of birds and to facilitate ongoing scientific research".

But the report to councillors says council policies state where a new house is deemed essential to support a new rural based activity, it should normally for the first three years, be provided by a caravan, or other temporary accommodation.

A male ruff performs its distinctive mating display (Image: Mark Andrew)

It adds: "The agent has consistently declined the opportunity to consider the provision of a temporary residential unit (caravan or otherwise) to provide accommodation needs whilst the Ruff project continues to expand."

Small numbers of ruff imported as young birds from Germany have already been reared in an existing aviary on the site and released onto the marsh.

A young ruff at Deepdale Marsh (Image: Chris Bishop) 

The wading bird is practically extinct as a breeding species in the UK since the mid-19th century, while around 800 over-winter each year before returning to the Continent to breed.