Newt survey needed for Shrewsbury hospice plans

Shropshire Council's ecological officers say more investigations are needed before they can give their backing for the plans to create a 'Living Well Centre' at Severn Hospice's Bicton Heath base.

The charity wants to create the new day centre and community facility as the initial point of contact for all visitors to the hospice.

A planning application for the development is currently being considered by Shropshire Council's planning department.

As part of the process the authority's ecological officers have said that without more information on the potential impact on nearby newts they would have to recommend that the plans are refused.

A report from planning ecologist, Nicola Stone, states: "Additional information is required relating to Great Crested Newts and bats.

"In the absence of this additional information I recommend refusal since it is not possible to conclude that the proposal will not cause an offence under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations (2010)."

The report calls for more investigation of a pond within 250 metres of the site.

It states: "There is a pond within 250m of this site with potential for Great Crested Newts to be present. Any ponds within 250m of a minor planning application should be assessed in terms of broad suitability for Great Crested Newts by carrying out a habitat suitability index (HSI).

"If any pond is suitable then it may be necessary to carry out a presence/absence survey for Great Crested Newts which is made up of two survey visits between mid-March and mid-June with at least two visits between mid-April and mid-May. Three survey methods (preferably torch survey, bottle trapping and egg searching) should be used on each survey visit.

"If Great Crested Newts are discovered on the site then it may be necessary to carry out a population size class estimate which involves an additional two visits in the specified time period."

The new centre would be made up of a detached, part single, part two storey building on a plot of land to the west of the existing hospice site.

The application states: "The new building will function as an integral part of the existing hospice facility and be set up to become the initial point of contact for all visitors to the hospice. It also includes provision for additional external car parking, access roads (served off the existing Clayton Way) and pedestrian links through to the existing main hospice site. There is also a new community focused area provided within the new building, including a coffee shop."