Derelict site in Helensburgh 'could be nature reserve'

Fiona Howard • Published 29 Apr 2010 11:08

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FOR NATURE? Miranda and Roisin, 2, at ther site which is being proposed as a nature reserve.

A HELENSBURGH child-minder would like to see a derelict Burgh site become a wildlife park where local children would be able to learn about the natural world in safety.

Miranda Graham first discovered the potential of the former clinic site at East King Street when two of her young charges took her there to show her the "pond" full of frog spawn and tadpoles they had found.

She said: "The local kids found it themselves and I was shown it by two of my young clients.

"Since then I have taken some of my charges there and we have done pond dipping and looked for other wildlife and birds. We found smooth newts and plenty of common garden birds like blackbirds and robins."

She continued: "I am very, very keen on wildlife myself and I can't let this go without trying to have it preserved as a small wildlife sanctuary for the benefit of local children.

"It would have to be tidied up so it was safe but it is an ideal opportunity to make use of a derelict piece of land for the benefit of our children."

The site, which backs on to Drumfork Court, was originally the site of the East King Street Clinic which was demolished some years ago. Mrs Graham has not yet been able to find out who owns the land but believes it is now in private ownership and no longer the property of the health board.

It is believed that a planning application to build on the land was passed some time ago but nothing ever happened and the site is now heavily overgrown and used by some for fly tipping.

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This article appeared in Helensburgh Advertiser 29 Apr 10

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