FEARS that the possible extension of Arpley Tip could cause the loss of the flood plain have been raised by a natural history enthusiast.

Warrington-born Jeff Clark, who now lives in Widnes, has had a life-long interest in natural history in the upper Mersey Estuary area and says he has witnessed the gradual destruction of the flood plain that once existed between Warrington, Widnes and Runcorn.

"And now it appears that the remaining area could be destroyed," he said.

"But sadly, informing people about the natural heritage they are about to lose fails to stir their emotions. The fact that the area in question holds significant populations of many nationally declining and threatened species, be it water voles, tree sparrows, corn buntings, grey partridge or sky lark, means little or nothing to most people."

And he says he fears for the safety of the area if the natural balance is upset by the Arpley development.

"Flood plains are so called for one reason," said Jeff.

"If you prevent the water from being released by the natural safety valve of a flood plain, the inevitable result is that areas previously less likely to flood will now do so. In this case the area under threat would be Penketh and central Warrington. If you doubt my word just take a visit to the Ferry Tavern to see the flood levels marked in the bar for confirmation.

"A few years ago I had to contact Arpley landfill site to inform them that the river was cutting its way back towards the tip opposite the Richmond Bank. The tip site was unaware that there was a problem and had to carry out emergency works by building stone buttresses in an attempt to deflect the power of the river. We cannot rely on the vigilance of the tip owners to ensure that the river is prevented from eating its way into the tip in the long term.

"It is not a matter of if the river will ever breach the tip - it is a matter of when. The health and pollution consequences of such a breach will be severe."