Boat club fears as wildlife platform approved

Kenneth Talbot says the installation of a platform could end a more than 90-year tradition of sailing model boats

A model boat sailing club says it fears for its future after plans to build a wildlife platform on a park's boating lake were approved.

Plans for the 15ft (4.5m) long structure were lodged by campaigners who say swans, ducks and other wildlife need a "safe haven" in Sunderland's Roker Park.

But concerns have been raised over its water quality during heavy rainfall because an overflow system carries run-off from roads into the pond.

Ecologist Julie Dyson said there was "amazing support" from the public for the platform, but Roker Park Model Boating Club secretary Kenneth Talbot said the decision was "devastating".

Plans had previously been approved, but a dispute with the boat club over the material used in the platform meant the proposal was amended and lodged again.

The new platform will be made from stainless steel and high-density polyethylene, which plans claim would be "environmentally friendly".

The lake was donated to the city for use as a model boating lake, the club claims

Mr Talbot said the installation would "prevent" model boats from being able to sail, and end a more than 90-year tradition.

"The model boating lake [was donated as] a model boating lake, not a wildlife pond, a duck pond, a fishing pond, solely as a model boating lake," he told the BBC.

He argued the lake was unsuitable to hold wildlife and claimed an overflow system installed in partnership with Sunderland Council and Northumbrian Water pollutes the water.

He said: "It just fills up with rubbish, road run-off, it could be anything, the tar, the break-up of the tyres and that comes in and makes it unhealthy."

Julie Dyson said the wildlife platform will have minimal disruption to boat club members

Ms Dyson said more than £4,000 had been raised by the public to install the platform.

She said: "We want to provide a safe haven for wildlife that can use the platform to rest and stay safe from dangers.

"If they were to nest, which were not trying to actively [encourage], it just means they've got a safe option there.

"We are not here to try and push the boat club out."

She added the platform "wouldn't affect their use in a detrimental way" as it would occupy an area at one end of the lake.

'Regular maintenance'

A Northumbrian Water spokesperson said the overflow system was an "environmentally friendly scheme", designed to "slow down the flow of rainwater entering our wastewater network" and prevent flooding.

It said it had recently "cleaned the system" and would work with the local authority and residents "to ensure this system continues to work well into the future".

Sunderland City Council said: "As with many man-made lakes and ponds, Roker Park Pond has an aerator installed and the pond, park and its grounds have a regular maintenance programme."

It said planning applications were determined "in line with national, regional and local planning policies".