District Council votes to allow habitat of 11 species of bat in East Budleigh to be demolished

We need to get real about protecting biodiversity:
Futures Forum: Countering mass extinction: we need a Green New Deal plus action on biodiversity

Indeed, local councillors have been keen to help wildlife in our own backyard:
Futures Forum: East Budleigh objects to application to demolish habitat of 11 species of bat
Futures Forum: District Council defers decision on application to demolish habitat of 11 species of bat >

However, last week, the planning committee of the District Council decided to allow the demolition of the bat habitat in East Budleigh:
Agenda for Development Management Committee on Tuesday, 30th April, 2019, 10.00 am - East Devon

The BBC reports: 

Barn to be knocked down despite bat concerns

Posted at 14:35 1 May14:35 1 May

Daniel Clark
Local Democracy Reporting Service

A "licence to kill" has been granted, it was claimed, after plans to knock down a barn known to be home to rare and protected bats were approved.

Councillors voted by eight votes to five on Tuesday morning to give the go-ahead to demolish a barn in East Budleigh, known as The Pound, and for it to be replaced with a house.

A new bat barn will be built in the garden as mitigation and Clinton Devon Estates have said the new building will provide conditions "more suitable" for bats, including a dedicated loft area and ground floor with free flight access for the animals.

But concerns have been raised by ecological campaigners about the risk it would pose to the rare bats, saying the demolition of the barn could see them lose their homes and die.

BBC Devon & Cornwall Live: 1 May - BBC News
Bats in East Budleigh: “licence to kill” say ecological campaigners | East Devon Watch

A local resident has written to “Thérèse Coffey, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - as reported in the East Devon Watch blog: 

EAST DEVON RESIDENT CALLS OUT TORY GOVERNMENT ON ENVIRONMENT AND BATS

2 MAY 2019

...

The document “A Green Future: Our 25 Year Plan to Improve the Environment” contains enough positive ideology to satisfy most environmental campaigners. The document is elegantly designed and its content has been carefully thought out. It covers a huge range of subjects that I feel very strongly about: sustainable land use, enhancing the beauty and environmental worth of landscapes, and protection of wildlife.

The issue is the document is a vision and not legislation. It a collection of really good ideas but it is not law. When there is a conflict between potential industrial development, the provision of housing, and the environment, the ideals will get thrown into the river like toxic waste. If there is a chance for profit to be made councils will always find ways to get around even the most stringent protections. Sadly the “Green Future” is not seen as a moral compass for development it is just viewed as a bit of a nuisance. The proposed development on the pound in East Budleigh is a classic example. It clearly goes against the ideals expressed in the 25 year plan and the protection afforded to endangered species by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as Amended)

The proposed development ( 18/1464/FUL. ) involves demolition of a barn (dating back to the 17th century) containing 11 species of bats (Including Grey Long eared bats, and Greater Horseshoe bats), Dormouse habitat destruction, and a Badger set relocation. It has caused a local outcry, the involvement of Sir David Attenborough, Devon Wildlife Trust, features on Radio Devon and BBC Spotlight.

When the development was put to the EDDC Development Management Committee the council chamber was packed with objectors. The plans were still passed paving the way for the a new entrance to be put through a well loved and iconic local amenity space and the destruction of habitat for several endangered species. Councillors were not only out of step with the electorate but also showed a total disregard for Michael Gove’s twenty five year Environmental Plan and environmental protection legislation. The whole community as well a host of endangered species in East Budleigh will lose out just so that one house can be developed. Yet another totally unbalanced decision that will only benefit a local wealthy landowner by the Conservative lead East Devon District Council.

If you would like to see the site in order to draw your own conclusions I would love to be your host. If you need more background information do not hesitate to contact me.

East Devon resident calls out Tory government on environment and bats | East Devon Watch
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East Devon Heritage Strategy and Local List of Heritage Assets >>> report from strategic planning cttee

Last month's District Council Strategic Planning Committee considered its heritage strategy:
Futures Forum: East Devon Heritage Strategy and Local List of Heritage Assets >>> report for strategic planning cttee

The 'draft minutes' have just been published:
Browse meetings - Strategic Planning Committee - East Devon

Interestingly, East Budleigh has been chosen as a pilot scheme - because of its relative size and because of good contacts with the Otter Valley Association.

Nevertheless, due to the intervention of Cllr David Barratt of Sidmouth, it was made clear that the Sid Vale Association would be involved in a second, larger pilot scheme: 

Heritage Strategy 

The report presented to the committee outlined the outcome of the public consultation on the Heritage Strategy and sought agreement to the adoption of the East Devon Heritage Strategy 2019 – 2031, subject to amendments outlined in the report and to the introduction of a pilot scheme for a Conservation Area review in a phased approach for East Budleigh including the Otter Valley Association. 
The Service Lead, Planning Strategy and Development Management advised that 34 responses to the consultation had been received from consultees including local history and amenity groups, neighbourhood planning groups, and town and parish councils. Members noted that the responses received were largely positive including minor comments about detail and engagement with other groups and comments about the timing and monitoring of the action plan. Members also noted a positive response had been received from Historic England endorsing the strategy. 

The Committee were supportive of the recommendation and comments included:

 Clarification was sought about recommending East Budleigh for the pilot scheme. In response the Service Lead, Planning Strategy and Development Management advised East Budleigh was a typical example of a conservation area with a community group and neighbourhood planning group that were keen to be involved. 
 Clarification was sought if East Budleigh had been chosen because of its historic association. In response the Service Lead, Planning Strategy and Development Management confirmed this was the main reason and drew attention to the Otter Valley Association and the Neighbourhood Planning Groups. 
 Clarification was sought whether the parish council was aware of the proposal. In response the Service Lead, Planning Strategy was not able to confirm but advised the Policy Team had liaised with all the community groups. 
 Clarification was sought on the Sid Vale Association’s interest on the pilot scheme and whether two schemes could be run at the same time. The Service Lead, Planning Strategy and Development Management advised he was aware there had been interest but wanted to use a smaller town for the pilot to learn from; 
 The need for an additional planning officer to help undertake the task. In response the Chief Executive confirmed that additional staff resources were not envisaged; 
 The need to protect heritage; 
 The need to engage with national bodies including The National Trust; 

RESOLVED: 
1. That the East Devon Heritage Strategy 2019 – 2031 as detailed in this report be approved. 
2. That the pilot scheme for a Conservation Area review for East Budleigh including the Otter Valley Association as described in the Heritage Strategy be approved.


Printed minutes 26th-Mar-2019 10.00 Strategic Planning Committee.pdf
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District Council defers decision on application to demolish habitat of 11 species of bat >

The District Council's planning committee met today:
Futures Forum: District Council to consider application to demolish habitat of 11 species of bat > Tuesday 12th February

And things did not quite go according to plan, as reported by the East Devon Watch blog: 

BATS (AND BATMEN AND BATWOMEN) IN EAST BUDLEIGH – TODAY’S DEVELOPMENT
12 FEB 2019

Owl hears that, somewhat surprisingly, EDDC’s Development Management Committee voted to defer the bat habitat decision.

It also appears that yesterday’s activity in and around the barn, reported by Owl here:

https://eastdevonwatch.org/2019/02/11/bats-in-east-budleigh-barn-cleared-24-hours-before-eddc-planning-committee-meets-to-decide-their-fate/

has been reported to the Police who have allocated a crime number to it.

Bats (and Batmen and Batwomen) in East Budleigh – today’s development | East Devon Watch

The Exmouth Journal gives further information: 

Controversial East Budleigh bat barn plan deferred

PUBLISHED: 16:05 12 February 2019 | UPDATED: 16:05 12 February 2019

Daniel Wilkins

A decision on the future of a bat habitat in The Pound, East Budleigh, has been deferred. Picture: Google

Campaigners fighting the proposed demolition of a known bat habitat in East Budleigh have been given ‘breathing space’.

Residents from East Budleigh protesting outside Exmouth Town Hall ahead of the meeting which will decide the future of The Pound. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

More than 20 members of a conservation group gathered outside Exmouth Town Hall this morning (Tuesday, February 12) ahead of a crucial meeting to decide the fate of an East Budleigh barn known to be home to rare and protected bats.

East Devon District Council’s development management committee decided to defer their decision pending additional information from Natural England about wildlife mitigation on the site.

Landowner Clinton Devon Estates (CDE) is looking to knock down the barn and build a new dwelling on the site and has offered to build a separate ‘bat barn’ on the plot as mitigation.

Speaking after the meeting, Karen Alexander-Clarke, secretary of the East Budleigh Parish Conservation Group told The Journal this decision gives them ‘breathing space’ in their fight to protect the bats’ home.

The Pound, in East Budleigh, which is subject to a planning application to demolish a barn which is thought to be home to speciies of rare bats. Picture: Google

She also said they would be writing to Natural England to lobby them and ‘emphasise that there are councillors that feel as strongly as we do’.

Speaking at the meeting, councillor Brian Bailey also raised concerns over whether the bats would take to their new home.

He said: “The bats, I feel, have been served poorly because there is no guarantee what so ever that the bats will survive the demolition or would accept their new home.”

Cllr Geoff Jung said: “This is one house and one family that is going to benefit and how many bats and other wildlife are going to benefit?”

An independent ecology report commissioned by the council recommended that the mitigation being offered by CDE be accepted.

Cllr Mark Williamson said he did not feel confident that, if they refused the application and CDE appealed, the Planning Inspectorate would back their original decision.

He said: “As we do frequently, we would look to our statutory consultees to guide us. Natural England is giving quite detailed guidance and they recommend the planning authority follow advice from the ecologist.”

Councillors voted in favour of deferring the application pending information from Natural England on the suitability of the proposed ‘bat barn’.

East Budleigh bat barn demolition plan deferred | Latest Exmouth News - Exmouth Journal
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District Council to consider application to demolish habitat of 11 species of bat > Tuesday 12th February

The parish council in East Buddleigh has not been happy with a planning application:
Futures Forum: East Budleigh to consider application to demolish habitat of 11 species of bat > Tuesday 6th November
Futures Forum: East Budleigh objects to application to demolish habitat of 11 species of bat
Futures Forum: East Budleigh objects to application to demolish habitat of 11 species of bat > to be considered Tuesday 12th February

This will be considered tomorrow:
18/1464/FUL | Demolition of existing barn and construction of a single dwelling | The Pound Lower Budleigh East Budleigh

Meanwhile, as the East Devon Watch blog points out, there have been some 'preparations' going on at the site: 

BATS IN EAST BUDLEIGH: BARN CLEARED 24 HOURS BEFORE EDDC PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETS TO DECIDE THEIR FATE

11 FEB 2019

Over the past two weeks there has been much activity on the Pound and within the barn. Last week one set of the double doors were removed.

Today, the barn is being emptied of its contents.

When challenged on the activity, members of the East Budleigh Parish Conservation and Wildlife Protection Group were told Clinton Devon Estates had instructed the workers to get the barn cleared.

This planning application is on the agenda for tomorrow’s Development Management Committee, where it is supposedly being decided.

Although set for approval with conditions, it is very worrying that any activity around or within the barn has disturbed or destroyed any wildlife present in advance of a planning decision.

As it has been a very mild winter thus far, it is entirely possible that much of the Pound’s wildlife will not have left.

Nothing should be being done until permission is granted and license issued by Natural England.

it makes the group wonder if the gossip mongers were right all along, in saying this application is a ‘done deal’?

Bats in East Budleigh: barn cleared 24 hours before EDDC planning committee meets to decide their fate | East Devon Watch
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East Budleigh objects to application to demolish habitat of 11 species of bat > to be considered Tuesday 12th February

There have been real concerns about the future of an important roost for rare bats:
Futures Forum: East Budleigh to consider application to demolish habitat of 11 species of bat > Tuesday 6th November

And although the parish council passed the planning application to demolish the roost, it has since been provided with more information  - and has therefore raised serious objections:
EAST BUDLEIGH with BICTON PARISH COUNCIL
Futures Forum: East Budleigh objects to application to demolish habitat of 11 species of bat

The planning application is now with the District Council's planning department:
18/1464/FUL | Demolition of existing barn and construction of a single dwelling | The Pound Lower Budleigh East Budleigh

The Otter Valley Assn has submitted its objection: 

Comment submitted date: Wed 09 Jan 2019

After reading and studying the additional information submitted for planning application 18/1464/FUL the Otter Valley Association (OVA) continues to strongly object to this planning application.

The OVA considers that the incomparable nature of this site and its environs with regard to the exceptional number of bat species it supports is not fully appreciated. The evidence points towards this site being one of the rarest in Devon, if not in England. Indeed, the OVA regards this as of greater significance than Beer Caves. Following the completion of the East Devon AONB project taking place in Beer the follow-up study must be the Pound in East Budleigh.

If there is the slightest doubt that any development would harm the bio-diversity of this site the planning application must be refused.

The OVA strongly endorses the comment submitted on January 7th 2019 by the East Budleigh Parish Wildlife Protection and Conservation Group following their detailed work on the problems of light spillage and the flight paths of greater horseshoe and grey long-eared bats.

This significant harm should be refused under NPPF para.175.

The people of East Budleigh and the parish and district councils should celebrate that such a range of these rare mammals are living in their area and do all in their power to protect and encourage the welfare and habitat of these bats.

Comment submitted date: Mon 30 Jul 2018

The Otter Valley Association objects to planning application 18/1464.
The revised NPPF now in force puts great emphasis on Neighbourhood Plan policies taking precedence over existing non-strategic policies in a local plan covering the neighbourhood area.para.30.

This application is contrary to the East Budleigh Neighbourhood Plan policies:

Policy N2 Protection of Local Green Spaces
Policy B2 General design principles
Policy N1 Protecting and enhancing the landscape, biodiversity and local countryside character

Policy N2: LOCAL GREEN SPACE
The Pound is a Local Green Space designated in the East Budleigh Neighbourhood Plan. It has been designated because of the value of the space to the community due to its beauty and visual significance, its historic significance and heritage value.
As National Planning Practice Guidance states in Para. 11 b this protected area "provides a strong reason for restricting the overall scale, type or distribution of development" (designation of local green space is included in footnote 6) 

HARM TO LOCAL GREEN SPACE
1 Laying down an aggregate driveway with frequent domestic use.
The designated Pound is now traversed by an inconspicuous, grassed, agricultural lane which is used very infrequently.
The proposed 2.8 m. wide driveway will be made up of angular stones or aggregate held in a cellweb mesh.( It has been recommended by Major Trees Ltd. that the driveway be covered by Cellweb, a product designed to protect tree roots from heavy traffic.) Hence the inconspicuous grassy lane will stand out as an aggregate driveway.
The OVA does not accept that the new arrangement for the driveway at the side of the Pound would improve the appearance at the back of the Pound, not least having no unsightly farm machinery there in future. The aggregate surface will stand out like a sore thumb, where ever its position.
This driveway would service a 3-bedroomed house with possibly 2 cars and the present infrequent, agricultural use will be replaced by that of the daily domestic access to a dwelling with a double garage and several carparking spaces.
The character of the Pound will be destroyed and the area developed contrary to Para.11 of the NPPF.
2 Crownraising, ongoing pruning, service trench digging and the effect of heavy machinery will severely affect the health of the protected trees.
The Pound's visual charm is due to the large number of trees. This has been acknowledged with 6 TPOs. 

Policy B2 GENERAL DESIGN PRINCIPLES
1 Adverse impact on neighbouring property: 50 years old Pound House has enjoyed a delightful southerly garden. The proposed dwelling will be approximately 10.5 feet higher than Pound house, impacting on the light in the house and garden. (The OVA is disturbed that the site visit by the East Budleigh Parish Council did not include the residents of the adjoining property)
2 Adverse impact on the Pound: This large dwelling would visually dominate the rural character of the Pound.

Policy N1 IMPACT ON PROTECTED SPECIES

Rare bats are found around the Pound and roost in the barn. The existing trees are used as navigation tools. The OVA cannot accept that building a bat barn will solve this problem. It will be sited behind the house and the trees used for navigation.
Construction works will interfere with the bats in the area.
East Budleigh is an important location for many species of bats and all should be done to encourage them.

The OVA questions who would look after the bat barn? What if the home owners decided to remove it?

Otter Valley Association
Dr. N.Daniel

18/1464/FUL | Demolition of existing barn and construction of a single dwelling | The Pound Lower Budleigh East Budleigh

East Budleigh Parish Conservation and Wildlife Protection Group have made a plea for interested members of the public to turn up to next week's District Council planning meeting, as printed on the EDW blog: 

BATS VERSUS BUILDING [AND CLINTON DEVON ESTATES] IN EAST BUDLEIGH

5 FEB 2019

From the East Budleigh Parish Conservation and Wildlife Protection Group.

What they do not mention is that the barn is owned by Clinton Devon Estates – the company that puffs itself up as “gold standard” when it comes to conservation …..

“Planning application, 18/1464/ful. The Pound, East Budleigh.

Since April 2018, the East Budleigh Parish conservation and wildlife protection group, have sought to do its utmost to protect the rare, and the not so rare species of Bat, as well as the other wildlife that inhabit the barn and adjacent green space known as ‘the Pound’ in East Budleigh.

All through this application we have researched extensively, bat law, wildlife protection, mitigation studies, European and domestic legislation and directives from the Bat conservation trust, the Back from the brink project, and Natural England to name but three.

Each body has standing advice on how to protect and conserve EPS (European Protected Species). We have shared that information with all the concerned councillors from parish to district level.

The advice from Natural England and Conservation bodies state that for rare species, the avoidance method should be taken, yet here we are fighting for those methods and laws designed to protect to be implemented.

Through our many conversations with various conservation trusts, the overwhelming response has been, “the laws are there to protect these species, if the LPA follow the directives and adhere to legislation, permission will be denied.”

Having studied the plans for mitigation, We have found shortcomings in all of the mitigation offered by the agent on this application, and areas of complete misunderstanding, or disregard for the laws that are supposed to protect all wildlife. So much so, that this contentious application has reached the next stage of the planning….. the development management committee.

Getting the application to this point is a small victory for the wildlife, as we feel sure, that had we sat by and done nothing, by now, the site would have been levelled, the new house been built and the wildlife displaced, gone, or even worse, dead.(as suggested possible in Richard Greens ecology report) So we have done incredibly well to get this far.

Now…according to EDDC planning agenda, the application is recommended for approval with conditions. It is due to be discussed at the next DMC, on

Tuesday February 12th at
11AM, in the
Council chamber at Exmouth town hall.

But, of course, as is usual in a ‘democracy’, free speech and independent opinion is subject to what the ‘powers that be’, decide on as to what can be discussed and what should be taken in to consideration, so that an informed decision and vote can be made!

During this long process, it has been, and still is, the groups aim to get the best possible outcome for our precious, rare wildlife and our local green space.

We are putting forward the argument that:

1) the Pound is a significant site, regardless of numbers, with no less than four rare species of Bat, (with up to fourteen species recorded by ourselves), evidence of Hazel Dormice and an active Badger sett.

2) the mitigation measures are not adequate, with little to no evidence that these measures are successful for the rarer, disturbance intolerant, more light adverse species such as the Grey long-eared, Greater and lesser horseshoe Bats. An opinion upheld by DWT’s conservation manager in his ‘neutral’ letter to EDDC.

3) the lighting plan is not in line with current research provided by the bat conservation trust, nor the ILP,(institute of lighting professionals) suggesting the maximum light spill should not exceed 0.45 lux lumen on a moonless night. whereas the current proposed lighting plan stands at 0.95. so still more than double.

4) These species ARE protected by law, but human interest is, once again, being favoured above the interest and protection of rare species and local wildlife.

We are, teetering on approval being granted, everything hinging on a committee of councillors who may not be able to see the bigger picture. Which is, if we all stand by and do nothing to protect our local patch and its inhabitants, we will lose more and more green space, more and more species and biodiversity.

Now we may not be able to make a difference globally, but if we all made a stand for our own little corner, couldn’t we, wouldn’t we, make East Devon a better place to be, not only for our wildlife, but ourselves too?

PLEASE STAND WITH US ON THE 12th.

We are meeting at around

10.15am outside the town hall in Exmouth,

to hold a peaceful protest prior to the DMC. So if you have time, We would greatly appreciate your support to stand beside us and be a voice for East Budleighs wonderful wildlife.

EBPCWP Group
ebpcwpgroup@yahoo.com

Bats versus Building [and Clinton Devon Estates] in East Budleigh | East Devon Watch
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East Budleigh objects to application to demolish habitat of 11 species of bat

Bats have an annoying habit of getting in the way of development - but that can be sorted with a bit of 'mitigation' or 'offsetting':
Futures Forum: Demolishing the home of several species of rare bats - with the promise of providing a new building 'designed to provide conditions more suitable for breeding bats'

Last month, an application to do just this was considered:
Futures Forum: East Budleigh to consider application to demolish habitat of 11 species of bat > Tuesday 6th November

Local Councillors are not happy, as reported recently in the Herald:

Parish council has ‘stronger reservations’ about housing plans for East Budleigh bat habitat

PUBLISHED: 09:34 20 November 2018 | UPDATED: 09:34 20 November 2018

Daniel Wilkins

The Pound, in East Budleigh, which is subject to a planning application to demolish a barn which is thought to be home to speciies of rare bats. Picture: Google

Wildlife concerns have been raised over a plan to demolish the home of roosting rare bats in East Budleigh to make way for a new house.

An amended application by landowner Clinton Devon Estates to demolish a barn on an area of village green space known as ‘The Pound’ is seeking to construct a separate ‘bat barn’ on the site as mitigation for concerns raised for rare species of bats.

At an extraordinary parish council planning meeting held at the village hall, residents raised fears that lighting from the dwelling may deter bats from using their new habitat and the village could lose its rare bats.

Councillors, who previously supported the application, said they now had ‘stronger reservations’ about the proposal and want to see a lighting strategy put in place prior to development. They also want a period of 12 months between the bat barn and the house being built to allow bats to get used to their new home.

Village resident Cathy Moyle chairs the East Budleigh Parish Wildlife Conversation Group set up earlier this year to fight the ‘destruction’ of the wildlife habitat.

Speaking at the meeting, she said: “If the light impact cannot be resolved, then in accordance with legislation, the planning permission should be refused.

“If, unfortunately, the application does get approved, then conditions should be placed on the planning permission that no artificial external lighting should be erected by future occupants.

“As the application stands, there is likely to be a significant adverse impact on the conservation status of, in particular, the international rare greater and lesser horseshoe and the exceptionally rare grey long-eared bat.”

Karen Alexander-Clarke, secretary of the conservation group, added: “We have incredibly rare bats in our village, they are European-protected species and there is no mitigation measure that is guaranteed to be successful.

“Clinton Devon Estates are involved with many conservation projects and seems to be incredibly proud of what they are doing for bats in the rest of the county yet they want to destroy a roost in their own parish.”

East Devon District Council will make the final decision on the application at a later date.

East Budleigh praish leaders raise concerns over housing development | Latest Exmouth News - Exmouth Journal

Here are the minutes of that meeting:

Minutes of the East Budleigh with Bicton Parish Council 

Extra Planning Meeting Tuesday, 6 November 2018

1. PLANNING APPLICATIONS – 

18/1464/FUL 

The Pound, Lower Budleigh, EB 

Demolition of existing barn and construction of a single dwelling. 

Objections. 

The Council reviewed extra information relating to the above Application, specifically:- 

* The Consultation Response to EDDC by Encompass Ecology Ltd dated 18th October 2018 

* The Second Report by Richard Green Ecology (October 2018 v 1.1) 

* The Letter of Representation from the East Budleigh Parish Wildlife Protection and Conservation Group (EBPWPCG) dated 17th September 2018. 

The Council’s views can be summarised as follows:- 

The Issue of Bats 

1. Councillors agreed with Encompass Ecology and Richard Green Ecology that the bat barn must be built before the destruction of the existing barn. In this regard the Council believed 

(a) it is important that a Schedule of Works be submitted to the EDDC to explain how the perceived difficulties with this work could be overcome and 

(b) it will be essential to allow a suitable period – 1 year was suggested by some parishioners - between the construction of the new barn and the destruction of the existing barn to allow migration of bats from the existing roost to the new barn. 

2. Councillors agreed with Encompass Ecology that 

(a) lighting may be an issue, 

(b) that no lighting should be positioned on the bat barn and 

(c) that the light spill on the barn should be quantified and should be no more than 0.5 – 1.0 lux as measured at the new bat barn and “flight corridor” of the bats on a moonless night. The Council were of the opinion that a lighting lux plan, as proposed by Encompass Ecology, should be made public. 

3. Councillors noted that the Report from Richard Green Ecology acknowledges that rare bats roost in the existing barn. (Details are given in the EBPWPCG Letter). Also Councillors noted that Natural England has yet to issue a licence for this development. Councillors believed that, prior to the grant of a licence, Natural England should conduct a survey of the species of bat present in the existing barn given to the rarity of some species. Councillors agreed with Encompass Ecology that it is regrettable that such a survey is not available. 

4. Councillors noted that EDDC will be mindful of the Habitats Directive Article 12.1 and Conservation and Habitat and Species Regulation 2010 (as amended) when considering this Application. Other Issues The Driveway Councillors concluded that the proposed driveway would replace an existing driveway and hence would not create an issue, provided appropriate care was taken not to disturb the roots of the adjacent trees. 

Dormice 

Councillors were appraised that scrub had already been cleared from around the site which may have disturbed dormice in the vicinity. 

Conclusion and Recommendation 

Councillors present at this Planning Meeting understood that they did not have the authority to change the Parish Council’s previous decision (i.e. no objection) on this Application. However an informal show of hands at the Planning Meeting showed that the majority of Councillors objected to the Application, in part because of the new information received. The clerk will contact EDDC to verify the position regarding a change of Minuted decisions within the 6 month regulation period.

EAST BUDLEIGH with BICTON PARISH COUNCIL

And here's the application waiting at the District Council for a final decision - together with comments:
18/1464/FUL | Demolition of existing barn and construction of a single dwelling | The Pound Lower Budleigh East Budleigh
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East Budleigh to consider application to demolish habitat of 11 species of bat > Tuesday 6th November

We really do need to be looking after our fellow creatures:
Futures Forum: “The loss of biodiversity is a silent killer”

Including those in our own back yard:
Futures Forum: Demolishing the home of several species of rare bats - with the promise of providing a new building 'designed to provide conditions more suitable for breeding bats'

Many in East Budleigh are concerned with plans by Clinton Devon Estates to demolish a building used by horseshoe and long-eared bats: 

East Budleigh: Plan to demolish The Pound barn raises concerns for rare bats | Latest Exmouth News - Exmouth Journal

There will be a meeting tomorrow night to consider the application:
East Budleigh with Bicton Parish Council - Home

As reported by the EDW blog:


EAST BUDLEIGH – RARE BATS OR BULLDOZERS? SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING 6 NOVEMBER 2018

4 NOV 2018

Clinton Devon Estates – which frequently touts its so-called environmental credentials – now has a difficult choice to make in East Budleigh – as does East Devon District Council.

A short notice special meeting of East Budleigh Parish Council has been called for 7pm on Tuesday 6 November to discuss the findings below which will bring into sharp relief a pressing question: which is most important: environmental sustainability and bio-diversity or cold, hard profit?

The East Budleigh Parish Wildlife Protection and Conservation Group was formed earlier this year to try to save what were thought to be 11 species of bat from having their habitat destroyed as a result of 18/1464/FUL — Demolition of existing barn and construction of a single dwelling behind the Pound. As a result of their observations they have recorded as many as 14 of the 18 known species in the UK.

This not only confirms but extends the survey conducted by Richard Green Ecology between 2012 and 2017 for Clinton Devon Estates (CDE). This survey found: the rare Greater Horseshoe (roosting); Lesser Horseshoe (roosting); the very rare Grey Long Earned (roosting); Natterer (roosting); Soprano and Pipistrelle (roosting). These findings make this site one of the most species rich in the County.

Of these, the finding of Grey Long Eared, Greater and Lesser Horseshoe bats are, perhaps, the most exciting as they are some of the rarest bat species in the UK.

EDDC, in order no doubt to inform the DMC, has just published an independent review of the CDE commissioned Richard Green ecology report. We the ratepayers have paid for this review and Owl wonders whether it represents value for money in these hard pressed times. All it appears to be, as is clear from the Terms of Reference, is a review of the 2012/2017 work done by Richard Green to see whether it was reasonable and in line with best practice, given the ecological constraints identified. Not surprisingly, since it was conducted by a reputable ecological survey firm, another equally reputable firm concludes it was fine.

This ratepayer funded review presents no new data to support or reject the more recent local finding of 14 bat species, indeed it couldn’t really do this because it was conducted too late in the year when bats are less active as they begin to hibernate and the surveyors didn’t venture onto private ground.

The original surveys were undertaken on 31 August and 10 September 2012 including a dusk bat emergence survey and placement of an automated bat detector in the barn between 11 and 17 September 2012, allowing recorded bat calls to be analysed. Further bat emergence surveys were undertaken on 25 May and 22 June 2016, and 31 July 2017. The East Budleigh Group have spent many evenings conducting observation using computer aided bat detectors this year, 2018.

One question not satisfactorily answered is whether the barn is being used as a maternity roost. This is particularly important as some species like the Grey Long Eared bat are so rare that research advice from the University of Bristol states that maternity roosts should not be destroyed under any circumstances as this would compromise the favourable conservation status of the species, particularly as research has shown maternity roosts of this species do not respond to mitigation measures.

In the UK, Grey Long-Eared bats tend to live in close proximity to human settlements and roost almost exclusively in man-made roosts making the barn in East Budleigh an important roost. The overall estimated population size is around 1000 making it one of the rarest of UK mammals. Its extinction risk is high due to its habitat specialisation of foraging close to or within the vegetation, its small foraging ranges and limited long distance dispersal ability is a result of its flight profile. There are only eight known maternity colonies left in the UK and females have only one pup a year. So there has to be one near the Pound.

Another question is whether the demolition and rebuild will destroy too much habitat so the bats will never return, despite “mitigation”. (When CDE developed the Budleigh Salterton allotment site their slow worm “mitigation” was a disaster, they were simply bulldozed away by mistake).

Surely we ought to be celebrating the discovery that East Budleigh has one of the most species diverse bat colonies in Devon rather than sending in the bulldozers – again.

Everyone involved would do well to read this recent article:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/nov/03/stop-biodiversity-loss-or-we-could-face-our-own-extinction-warns-un

East Budleigh – rare bats or bulldozers? Special council meeting 7 November 2018 | East Devon Watch
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