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Within
the site there are many protected species. The consultant’s report emphasises
the following “it is a well established element of the local landscape
with particular species associated with it and should be
considered as a bio- diverse, valuable and sensitive resource”.
The
ancient woodlands support a high number of badger setts – there is at least one
badger sett directly within the area proposed for a roadway. Residents have
noted many badgers within the meadow. The meadow is an important foraging ground
for these animals. The consultant’s report contains the following statement “any
development of the site will disrupt the regular passage of badgers across it.
The mere presence of badger will be a material consideration requiring
detailed plans for mitigation. These will need to be submitted with the
initial application”.
This was
not done – the surveyor stated that his survey gave only a “snapshot” of
badger activity in the area.
There
are bats within the site – the connecting overhead canopy of ancient woodland
provides a corridor for these European Protected Species. This canopy
will be severed if the development goes ahead. The Canopy ecological reports
state that “trees in the surrounding woodland will offer many
opportunities for bats to roost”. A further statement by the consultant
states that “in the event the site remains undeveloped, it is
recommended that further surveys are carried out during May and June 2008
and the site should continue to be monitored annually until a development
strategy is agreed”.
None
of these
recommendations have been enforced.
There is
evidence of an abundance of slow worms, lizards and a strong probability of
grass snakes and adders being present on the site.
The two
ponds within Robsack Wood have had only a cursory survey – recommendations to
survey these ponds for Great Crested Newts have been ignored.
It
has been recorded that the common shrew and the pigmy shrew are likely to occur
on the site. These are legally protected species under the Wildlife and
Countryside Act 1981.
No surveys have been carried out to determine whether dormice may be present on the site – the consultants merely state that “there are no recent records and these animals would have been ‘unlikely’ to persist in the absence of coppicing and with the large number of domestic cats in the neighbourhood”… another assumption – no evidence of any surveys having been carried out… if cats are the ‘get out’ clause within this statement, how does this explain the vast number of reptiles that appear to have survived? Cats do not catch reptiles? A weak justification to discount the presence of dormice.
The
consultant’s reports highlight the importance of the site to migrating birds
stating that the site is under 2.5 kilometres from the coast and the dense
stands of bramble and furze will be of value to smaller migrant species needing
a last, or first, feeding and roosting place prior to departure and arrival.
The
consultant’s reports continue with the statement that “it is essential that
the area and the adjacent woodlands are surveyed by appropriately
qualified people at the appropriate seasons of the year for reptiles,
badgers and bats”. As previously stated, there have been no further surveys
carried out since 2007.
FLORA
A
list of flora was recorded on the site in January 2007. This list contains over 63 plants
and trees including Field Maple, Sycamore, Agrimony, Hazel, Beech, Bluebells,
Cherry, Hybrid Oak, Pedunculate Oak, Meadow Buttercup, Field Rose, Dog Rose,
Grey Willow, Elder, Red Clover, White Clover, and Gorse.
There
have been no further surveys.
The Police Safety Report recommended
1.8 metre high close boarded fencing around the development due to the
area being classed as a Medium/High Crime Risk area.
This is in direct conflict with the consultant’s recommendations for open
fencing to allow the free passage of wildlife. The
Police Report also recommended specific illumination around the site – this is
in direct conflict with current regulations regarding bat protection.