Dear Sophie, I commented on a similar planning application at the site under the reference V/2025/0094 in correspondence dated 4 June. My comments remain relevant to this current resubmission and are reproduced below.

“ I am now in receipt of a Preliminary Bat Roost Assessment and Bat Emergence and Activity Survey Report prepared by Clayton Ecology dated May 2025. The report provides details of a single nocturnal survey completed on 29 May 2025. No bats emerged from the building during the survey. 

Overall, we advise that the assessment that has been carried out for bats meets guidance within Circular 06/2005 and, as such, sufficient information regarding these protected species has now been submitted to enable the Local Planning Authority to reach an informed decision in accordance with the guidelines and to discharge its duty in respect of the requirements of The Regulations 2019. In summary, no evidence of roosting bats was found and as such, we advise that bats should not present a constraint to the proposed development.

Condition:

Condition “Prior to any construction above foundations level, a scheme of biodiversity enhancement shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The scheme shall include, as a minimum, the incorporation of integrated (inbuilt) features within the new buildings for roosting bats, bee bricks and nesting swifts and the provision of hedgehog gaps in garden boundary fences. The number of integrated nest boxes shall be in line with current guidance as set out in British Standard (BS 42021:2021 Integral nest boxes – Selection and installation for new development. The enhancement scheme shall be implemented in accordance with the agreed details as construction proceeds and completed prior to the first occupation of the development.”

Informatives

All species of bats and their roosts are protected under The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended). Please note that, among other activities, it is a criminal offence to deliberately kill, injure or capture a bat; to damage, destroy or obstruct access to a breeding or resting place; and to intentionally or recklessly disturb a bat while in a structure or place of shelter or protection. Occasionally bats can be found during the course of development even when the site appears unlikely to support them. In the event that this occurs, work should stop immediately and advice should be sought from a suitably qualified ecologist. A European Protected Species Mitigation Licence (EPSML) may be required before works can resume.

All wild birds, their nests and young are protected under The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). Occasionally nesting birds can be found during the course of development even when the site appears unlikely to support them. If any nesting birds are present then the buildings works should stop immediately and advice should be sought from a suitably qualified ecologist.”

Thanks Beverley Rhodes BSc MCIEEM

Ashfield Ecologist

From: planning.admin@ashfield.gov.uk <planning.admin@ashfield.gov.uk>
Sent: 10 September 2025 13:51
To: Beverley.Rhodes <Beverley.Rhodes@ashfield.gov.uk>; AssureEmail <AssureEmail@ashfield.gov.uk>
Subject: V/2025/0509
Importance: High