Bicester asylum centre could face delay due to bat protections

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 13:03 · Archive

A planned asylum centre near Bicester in Oxfordshire could be delayed until 2028 due to required ecological surveys to protect rare bats.

The Home Office proposes an asylum centre at the former Bicester Ministry of Defence site near Piddington in Oxfordshire, which would house up to 1,256 asylum seekers. Ecologists and Thames Valley Police have warned the development would be illegal without licences from Natural England to protect rare and protected wildlife, including barbastelle bats.

Biologist Dr Claire Brenner said she has recorded barbastelle, Natterer's and brown long-eared bats near the site's fence line this month. All three species are sensitive to light and noise and use dark corridors such as hedgerows and tree lines to travel across the landscape. Dr Brenner stated that cutting off the fence line corridor could affect the bats more widely and that the site needs to be properly surveyed.

Ecological surveys must be conducted during the bats' active season, from April to October, when they are out of hibernation. This requirement could delay the project until 2028.

How it is being reported

• Bicester asylum centre could be delayed until 2028 due to batsA planned asylum camp will be illegal if it goes ahead without licences to protect rare bats and wildlife, ecologists and police have warned.Oxfordshire Guardian · 14 Oct, 12:30
• Bicester asylum centre could be delayed until 2028 due to batsA planned asylum camp will be illegal if it goes ahead without licences to protect rare bats and wildlife, ecologists and police have warned.Oxford Mail · 14 Oct, 12:30

In this story: Home Office · Thames Valley Police · Natural England · Bicester · Oxfordshire · Piddington · Dr Claire Brenner

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