THE May is out and Cowslips bloom on the Common. The Terns are back over Roswell Pits in Ely and Marsh Harriers glide over the Potter Group reed beds. Good to see after such a long, harsh winter when Bittern were sighted by many, photographed and filmed o

THE May is out and Cowslips bloom on the Common. The Terns are back over Roswell Pits in Ely and Marsh Harriers glide over the Potter Group reed beds. Good to see after such a long, harsh winter when Bittern were sighted by many, photographed and filmed on the largest of the Roswell Pits in Ely. Only an idiot would argue the Pits aren't a crucial haven for these rare birds.

Congratulations to the RSPB, Wildlife Trust, Natural England and LCPRE for letting East Cambs District Council know the importance of this Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). ECDC, thanks for listening because over a thousand local residents are counting on you to preserve this area of cherished, natural calm.

So far so good. Still no marina, no moorings, no jetty, no boardwalks.

I read with interest that ECDC called another meeting - at the public's expense - with Jeremy Tyrell (owner of the largest of the Pits at Roswell, owner of Jalsea Marine)

to ask again to submit his overall plans for the SSSI protected area.

I hope a representative from Natural England was present at this meeting.

Has Mr Tyrell paid his fine/debt to the community of Ely? He hasn't removed the pipes, cables and hard standing as demanded by law, so what's next? Fine him again?

What does ECDC intend to do to set a precedent to stop Mr Tyrell and others continually flouting the law to the detriment of the residents of this small, developing, and much loved city?

RUSS MALSTER

Ramsey Road

Ely