Posted on February 13, 2011 - by Denise
How we can affect planning decisions when we are concerned about wildlife
In late 2009, I was contacted by a member of the Cullompton Community Association (CCA), regarding concerns he had about a major development that was planned to take place on the CCA fields, which he believed to hold significant value to wildlife. We discussed the best way to put these concerns through to the Mid Devon District Council, before a final decision was made.
I contacted Caroline Jones of the Devon Wildlife Trust, who is involved in Biodiversity records (records of significant wildlife in Devon) and she was brilliant in the help she provided. Caroline conducted a records search and found that there was indeed cause for concern if this development was to take place. With this information, I was able to submit a formal representation to the Mid Devon District Council. This is what I wrote (using much of the wording of the report Caroline sent to me):
I would be very grateful if you would accept the attached documents as my representation, to be viewed as part of the consultation process of the proposed Cullompton Community Association Fields road development.
I attach a Biodiversity Records search, which includes details of statutory and non-statutory sites within a 2km radius of grid reference ST0244107182, as well as legally protected and notable species records on the attached map and lists. There are also details from a search for bat records within 4km of ST0244107182.
Within 2 km of the site there are 2 County Wildlife Sites, 2 Other Sites of Wildlife Interest, 1 Unconfirmed Wildlife Site and 1 proposed County Wildlife Site. Please let me know if you require further information about the County Wildlife Sites.
There are records of protected/notable species within the search area. These include records of bats, barn owls, badgers and otters. Included in the data search is data from the Devon Mammal Group, the Devon Reptile and Amphibian Group, Butterfly Conservation and Devon Moth group.
Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require further information about these searches or hard copies of the documents.
I recently contacted the Mid Devon District Council and was told that a decision has not yet been made. I don’t expect that the development will be cancelled for any reason other than budget cuts, but at least this information will allow for some damage limitation.
An example of this lies in a housing development that has begun in Chudleigh – the David Wilson Homes ‘Teignfields’ development. Because the site they had been given permission to build upon contained dormice, construction couldn’t begin before they were relocated. Because there is a bat flight path on the edge of the development, they have had to buy the adjacent two fields and agree to never build upon them. So, the development has begun, which I guess not everybody would be in agreement with, but at least we know that the submission of records of wildlife does have an effect on minimising the damage caused.
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July 22, 2012
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‘ have today started to find out about the proposed development of the CCA field, but ‘am having little success so far. However, I came across your letter.
Do the council not reply to letters of objection that they receive?
Reading your letter, it seems obvious, that as we are refering to a public facility, your words should hold more weight than if one was talking about private land.
So again, no reply forthcoming?
Best regards, Penny Smale.
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August 19, 2012
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Thanks for your comment Penny, but no, I am not expecting a reply. I would like to think that I will be on a mailing list for notification of a decision either way but I have heard nothing. I did, however, check that they received my letter before the deadline so the people responsible are obliged to consider it.