Long-eared Owl cpt Darin Smith
Disappointment after developer is granted extension for the construction of exploratory well site
Wildlife Trust expresses disappointment after developer is granted extension for the construction of an exploratory well site close to protected wildlife site.
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust has today spoken of its disappointment that developers have been granted an extension for the construction of an exploratory well site off Springs Road Misson. The site is very close to the charity’s Misson Carr Nature Reserve, a protected wildlife area that is home to a wide range of sensitive wildlife.
The charity, which had fought the original planning application alongside local campaigners, is concerned that any extension to the construction periods could have a damaging impact on wildlife – especially breeding owls known to use the site and had made its position clear in a detailed response to the planning authority.
Speaking following Nottinghamshire County Council’s decision to extend the construction period Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust’s Head of Communications Erin McDaid said:
We are extremely disappointed that the extension has been granted. We believe that the developer had every opportunity to complete the work within the original timeframe and this is yet another example of developers pushing back against legitimate planning conditions designed to protect wildlife.
We note that the County Council have imposed restrictions on the working hours of the site and have set strict noise limits to reduce the impacts on sensitive breeding birds, as highlighted in our response to this consultation. We now hope that these will be rigorously enforced. We also believe that construction work should be stopped as soon as these levels are breached as it is essential that no risk of harm comes to the scarce and sensitive birds in the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
