Shropshire Star

Plans to redevelop Shrewsbury's Copthorne Barracks should be refused, says report

Plans to redevelop Copthorne Barracks should be refused unless further studies are carried out into the presence of bats and roosting birds, experts have said.

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An ecology report submitted to Shropshire Council says current assessments have not looked inside any of the buildings in Shrewsbury for the presence of bats.

The report also says 30 trees identified as having bat roost features should be included in the site plan.

Today, planning ecologist Nicola Stone said the proposals should be thrown out unless further work is carried out as it can't be guaranteed the proposals as they stand will not cause an offence under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations (2010).

Mrs Stone said: "SC Ecology has requested that the bat survey should consist of a Preliminary Roost Assessment, including a thorough internal and external inspection of the buildings and an assessment of the potential for bat roosts to be present.

"During the Preliminary Roost Assessment the ecologist should also record any evidence of nesting wild birds or barn owls.

"The method of a preliminary roost assessment 'involves a detailed external and internal inspection of the structure to compile information on potential and actual bat entry/exit points; potential and actual bat roosting locations; any evidence of bats found and the number of ecologists that will be required for any subsequent surveys.'

"The survey work currently submitted has not assessed any of the buildings internally. In addition, the report shows buildings H1- H13 on the buildings plan but does not provide information about them in the text. They do not appear to have been assessed.

"The report has not provided robust evidence as to why some buildings have been scoped out of further bat survey work. SC Ecology considers that the survey work does not meet current survey guidelines, or what has been already requested by SC Ecology."

The Ministry of Defence wants to build more than 200 homes at the former Copthorne barracks, as well as retirement flats. Concerns have previously been raised about access to the site and the impact the development would have on traffic.

Mrs Stone added: "The ecological report lists 30 trees with bat roost features. The indicative site layout should show these trees as being retained and protected during development. The site plan should show the trees listed.

"It is essential that the presence or otherwise of protected species, and the extent that they may be affected by the proposed development, is established before the planning permission is granted, otherwise all relevant material considerations may not have been addressed in making the decision."

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