Village Housing Options and Settlement Boundaries

It has come to our attention that a parcel of land at the rear of Oakdean, Hatton Station (believed to be owned by Courts Development) has been proposed for a housing development. WART strongly object to this proposal because this area of unmanaged semi-improved grassland was a receptor site for over 90 slow-worms, translocated by WDC as a result of a housing development on Oakdene Crescent in 2009. Great Crested Newts are also present in the vicinity and there is a high probability that this species is also using this area for foraging and overwintering.

Under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) both species are protected from intentional killing/injury and there is also habitat protection for the crested newt under the Conservation of Species and Habitat Regulations 2010. Current reptile guidance advises against impacts to receptor sites and implies that receptor sites should be chosen to safeguard the species translocated. Our main concern however is that the slow worms may have to be 'double handled' if planning permission is granted, particularly as current evidence suggests slow-worms do not respond well to translocation efforts and can lead to poor body condition (as researched by Richard Griffiths et al).

If the development is to go ahead, surveys following standard guidance should be undertaken, with appropriate mitigation provided to maintain the local conservation status of the slow-worms and great crested newts present. WART would also expect appropriate ecological supervision both during any further translocation procedure and during the works where necessary; and with at least 3 years post-works monitoring agreed as a Section 106 agreement for the receptor site

To summarise: WART do not support the proposed development of this site and if it were to go ahead we would expect a rigorous reptile & amphibian survey to be carried out to ascertain species presence, population size and status; with the provision of a reptile reserve to serve their needs in the local vicinity.