Housing scheme approved on wildlife-rich West Lothian riverbank

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Nov, 20:01 · Archive

A house builder has been granted permission to build 93 homes on a wildlife-rich riverbank site in Mid Calder, West Lothian. The Development Management Committee accepted the advice of its own officers that they were satisfied with proposals to mitigate threats to wildlife on the site.

An immigration lawyer and animal advocate, Nicola Wilkins, objected on the grounds that up-to-date surveys had not been carried out on bats, badgers and great crested newts. She also raised concerns about the absence of evidence of a survey of a partially collapsed water vole burrow on the riverbank. She told the meeting that a preliminary ecological appraisal was 'not the same thing as a targeted species specific survey' required under national planning law and regulations, describing it as 'basically a desk study and walk through the site'.

Wilkins argued that if there was evidence a protected species was present or could be affected, 'there is a mandatory obligation for a species specific survey'. An ecology officer acknowledged such surveys would usually be carried out at the initial planning application stage. The council's legal advisor said the committee could make a decision on the basis of officers' advice. Local councillor Damian Doran-Timson rejected the plans and recorded his dissent.

How it is being reported

• Green light for 100 new homes on wildlife-rich West Lothian riverbankHousing development on wildlife-rich West Lothian riverbank approved despite legal warningsEdinburgh Evening News · 13 Nov, 19:25
• New West Lothian housing scheme to be built on 'wildlife rich' riverbankObjector claims permission is in breach of wildlife legislation as green light given to 93 homes on Mid Calder greenspaceEdinburgh Live · 13 Nov, 15:14

In this story: West Lothian · Mid Calder · Nicola Wilkins · Damian Doran-Timson

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