Copthorne Barracks: Bat survey is blow to plans for base's future
Plans to redevelop Copthorne Barracks have been dealt a further blow after an ecology report said the proposals could break wildlife rules.
Doubts have been raised about surveys of the site to check for bats, badgers and nesting birds.
A report by Shropshire Council's planning ecologist Nicola Stone has recommended the plans be refused unless more work is done.
In her findings, she says she can't rule out the possibility that the proposals in their current guise cause an offence under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations (2010).
The ecology report says the survey work carried out to establish the presence of bats is unclear and not sufficient to support a planning application.
It also says it is not clear whether a full badger survey has been conducted and that all sites where roosting birds could be present should be surveyed.
Mrs Stone said: "The preliminary ecological appraisal says that a small number of bat droppings were found in the garage of Building 35 and several along a windowsill of one of the White Huts.
"This is the only detail about the bat droppings. There is no suggestion as to what species of bat it could be or what type of roost.
"As bat droppings have been found more information is required.
"The preliminary ecological appraisal does not set out the full methodology used to conduct the initial bat roost assessment of the buildings and the licence number of the bat surveyor was not included within the report.
"It is not clear if a full badger survey has been conducted. A badger survey should be carried out and impacts assessed as set out in the Natural England Standing Advice."
Mrs Stone goes on to say that full bat surveys should be carried out before the plans go any further.
"Additional information is required relating to bats, badgers, nesting birds and the environmental network," she said.
"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 Ministry of Defence has submitted an application to build 174 houses and 45 retirement units on the site of the former barracks.
Under the proposal the Keep will also be converted into nine residential apartments.
The latest knockback comes just days after highways experts said the redevelopment of the barracks should be rejected unless changes over access are made to the plans.
