Crook of Lune Otters Saved
Lancaster City Council’s planning dept performed a U-turn and changed it’s recommendation that would have allowed tourist cabins to be built next to a natal otter holt at the Crook of Lune. Otters are a protected species under wildlife protection laws and any disturbance of a breeding holt is a criminal offence. A wildlife police officer was in attendance at the meeting where councillors heard local residents and wildlife experts argue against the proposals. Speaking at the meeting Cllr Chris Coates said ” It would seem that the applicant has been seriously misled by the authorities as to the nature of the protection of otters, this should never have got to the point where a planning application was submitted.” The application was rejected.