A MAJOR row is continuing over 'ridiculous' decisions as children have been 'chastised' for riding their bikes on a Buckley nature reserve.

The Leader previously reported that charity Wild Ground urged the public to have respect for the Lane End and Knowle Hill Nature Reserves in Buckley, which was designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 2002 and as a Special Area of Conservation since 2004.

The site is of important value for wildlife and protected by law as a nationally important population of great crested newts are present in Buckley, with several sites designated specifically to protect this species.

However, in August, the charity said a series of illegal bike jumps and tracks have been constructed on the Knowle Hill nature reserve and investigations are ongoing into this.

But local residents have hit out as the tracks were made by children and are ‘not harming wildlife’, instead they are on a public area of the land.

Carla Tel asked what children can do to stay entertained without people complaining.

Rachel Davies added: “There is a massive difference between site A and site B.

“Site A is cordoned off. You cannot access it. People are not able to walk, ride, take animals there and they don’t. Site B is not maintained. People are free to walk ride and have their dogs there. It’s not cordoned off, there are no signs.

“These kids are now being threatened with the police and council. They have not done anything wrong and they have caused no harm what so ever.

“I don’t understand in a world where everything has been so awful lately why these kids, who have created something to keep them entertained, cleaned and maintained an area and looked after it are now being punished.”

Great crested newts are a European Protected Species due to loss of habitat and reductions in abundance throughout their range.

As such, they are protected from intentional killing or injuring, and intentional or reckless disturbance or destruction of their shelter.

Cllr Mike Peers told the Leader he hopes residents and the charity can work together to find a solution that benefits both.

He said: “The bike tracks are in a hidden wooden area with no vegetation on the ground. What benefit it is to wildlife, I don’t know. I don’t see what harm is being caused there.

“People have been locked down for months and this is basically just kids riding bikes. They are enjoying themselves, exercising and not harming anyone.

“We have to consider the SSSI but a vast area is already cordoned off. Residents are paying a management fee for the privilege of living there and are not able to access the majority of the nature reserve.

“What harm is being done, that’s what we need to consider. Kids have been riding bikes there for years and only seems to be a problem now.

“Let’s all try and share this piece of ground. It’s a very popular area with fantastic views. I’d hate the thought of anyone being banned from there.

“There may be issues relating to the SSSI but let’s try to come to a solution together that lets kids ride their bikes in piece and keeps wildlife protected as well.

“Newts are important and protected but I don’t see the harm in this. It’s not bothering anyone, it’s on a redundant soil heap.

“It’s difficult but if we all work together we can all enjoy this piece of countryside.”

Cllr Dennis Hutchinson said he firmly believes it is 'live and let live' and children should not be chastised for 'being kids'.

He said: "I go back quite a while but this has been a children's play area long before any kind of restraints. I don’t believe there are any conditions in place.

"It may well be a conservation area but it's for the good of all people including children. What harm are they doing in an old coal area. It was nothing other than slag heap.

"Many years ago a well respected gentleman Jim Bentley did excellent work on Knowle Hill long before anyone came along. It was the talk of the place. Why are people chastising children for doing what they are doing?

"They aren't on the streets, causing mayhem, they are kids being kids just enjoying themselves.

"At the end of the day that place is for all to enjoy, they certainly don't need to be chastised. My wife and I go there frequently and we can't see any wrong in what these kids have done, they don't need to be on the receiving end of this.

"They have been wrapped up in Covid and only now are able get out and enjoy the area in which we live. It's a wonderful area, they aren’t trespassing.

" I believe very firmly it's live and let live, including children. They aren’t there to be shouted at, they are young kids there to play."

A spokesperson for Wild Ground said although the bike jumps are in a secluded area, it is nonetheless 'protected by law'.

They added: "These earthworks included cutting extensive channels into the land, ground compaction, damaging tree roots, and cutting back vegetation, and represents a loss of habitat area suitable for great crested newts.

"Works were undertaken without consultation, permission from the landowners or consent from the environmental authorities for SSSIs.

"There is an apparent misconception that only the Lane End Nature Reserve, which is fenced off and has only limited public access, is a protected space for wildlife. In fact, both reserves – which border each other – form part of the same whole, are managed for the same species, and are protected by the same laws.

"Both are privately owned land set aside for conservation, but access is permitted to Knowle Hill Nature Reserve via public footpaths, for people to responsibly enjoy the outdoors, greenspaces and nature. These footpaths are managed by Flintshire’s Public Rights of Way team."

More information can be found online at https://www.groundworknorthwales.org.uk/wild-ground/latest-news/wild-ground-position-statement-on-new-bike-jumps-on-knowle-hill-nature-reserve