The Essex Community Fund have provided a total of £5000 towards the cost of the recharge. This money has come from two local family trust funds – The Minter Family Trust and the Acorn Fund. It will be used specifically to pay for laboratory analysis of samples to identify and quantify the invertebrate community currently present on the recharge sites.
For details of the Essex Community see www.essexcommunityfoundation.org.uk
An extensive draft Scoping/Screening Report was submitted to Natural England for comment and approval prior to further work in preparation of the final application to MMO. Whilst the report was found to be largely comprehensive, they have suggested full Environmental Impact Assessment.
Local Marine Surveyor Jim Pullen has provided essential topographical and hydrographic data including aerial photography that you can see included in our documents in the Downloads page, that are a crucial part of the consent process.
The Trust has appointed Environmental Consultant Carol Reid to prepare the submission to the consenting bodies, including Natural England and the Marine Management Organisation.
The Royal Society for Protection of Birds (RSPB) have carried out surveys on our behalf, saving us £20,000. We are really grateful for their ongoing support to help us save Mersea Harbour.
Over 30 Local businesses and organisations have become Members of the Trust, subscribing £6000 between them. Individual Asscociate members have donated a further £750
MP Pritti Patel (Witham– incl Tollesbury) has given her active support in the letter we received.
Essex County Council have generously provided funding support for the Trust by granting £15,000 from its Community Initiatives Fund.
The Mersea Harbour Protection Trust will hold a General Meeting of Full Members on Monday 9th June at 7.30 pm in the West Mersea Yacht Club. Voting is restricted to Full Members, but others are welcome to attend.
s, whose constituency encompasses both Mersea and Harwich has offered his enthusiastic support for the project and expressed a wish to be actively involved.