Rare bat concerns raised over Exmouth housing development
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 14:02 · Archive
Campaigners opposing a major Exmouth housing allocation have raised concerns about the rare Barbastelle bat.
Campaigners opposing the proposed Exmo_20 housing site in Exmouth have raised concerns about the rare Barbastelle bat, described by the Bat Conservation Trust as 'one of the rarest mammals'. Council officers dispute the bat's presence at the site itself, stating it has been documented on land between Exmouth and Lympstone around 1.5 kilometres away from the controversial proposed housing site.
One campaigner raised the issue at a recent council meeting, producing toy bats from his pockets and stating that a Barbastelle bat had been found dead in his garden. He argued that the bat's presence warranted consideration when deciding whether to include the Exmo_20 site in East Devon District Council's draft local plan. Campaigners also cite a neighbourhood plan created by Exmouth Town Council in 2019, which identified the bat's presence in an 800-metre buffer zone between the Pebblebed Heaths and the development boundary.
The Exmo_20 site has been included in the draft local plan despite significant opposition. The site is near the Grade II*-listed St John in the Wilderness Church and the heaths. Inclusion in the draft local plan does not mean planning permission has been granted, but allows developers to propose schemes at those locations.
How it is being reported
- Rare bat row adds fresh twist to controversial Exmouth housing plansCampaigners opposing a major Exmouth housing allocation have raised concerns about the rare Barbastelle bat, but council officers dispute its presence at the site.Exmouth Journal · 27 Oct, 13:36
- Rare bat discovery sparks furious row over major Exmouth housing developmentCampaigner waves toy bats in furious council clash over Exmouth homesDevonLive · 27 Oct, 06:00
In this story: East Devon District Council · Bat Conservation Trust · Exmouth Town Council · Exmouth · Lympstone · Pebblebed Heaths
This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log
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