I VIEW with mounting horror and concern the work currently being undertaken at Roswell Pit. Without the legal benefit of the Certificate of Lawfulness at present being considered by ECDC s legal team, it seems that work is continuing in order to prepare m

I VIEW with mounting horror and concern the work currently being undertaken at Roswell Pit. Without the legal benefit of the Certificate of Lawfulness at present being considered by ECDC's legal team, it seems that work is continuing in order to prepare moorings. It looks like services and junction boxes have been installed at the water's edge and the bank is being cleared to prepare access from the water to dry land.

There has been no Environmental Impact Assessment which would have clearly established all the wildlife issues and would have identified the important status of the whole pit. There has been no Planning Application that would have given the public a proper forum to make their views known. Every opportunity for the council to implement a full, fair and transparent planning procedure has been passed by.

Temporary Consents given by Natural England for work on the SSSI have been taken as licence to carry out work elsewhere on the pit. This was the case with the dramatic tree clearance at the beginning of the year and with the installation of hard standing and machinery now.

We have provided the council with an affidavit from HR Hall (Senior Surveyor, Great Ouse Catchment Area 1947 to 1988) in which he clearly states that "Pleasure boats have never been permitted in Roswell Pit" and that "No tugs , survey launches or other mechanical equipment have been moored within the Main Pits".

One boat was illegally moored in the Environment Agency's small pit last week and as a result a fine film of oil spread across the water through the channel and out under Cuckoo Bridge. What effect will the boats berthed on Mr Tyrell's new moorings have upon the fish, birds and mammals at Roswell Pits? Please, please make your voices heard while there is still time.

ELIZABETH HUNTER (vice-chairman for the Protection of Rural Ely)

Prickwillow Road

Ely