- Does not adhere to Policy EN15
In Policy EN15 ‘Biodiversity and Geological Conservation’, it states that the council will maintain or enhance sites with protected and priority species, as listed in Manchester’s Biodiversity Strategy. One such species is the Pipistrelle bat. The proposed development would have a negative on this animal.Pipistrelle bats have been recorded near Hough End and bats forage on site. They are legally protected as ‘Schedule 5 animals’. The Bat Survey included within the application was carried out in March when any bats in the area would be in hibernation. Consideration of the application should be delayed until such time as a full bat survey can be carried out. Bats may use the existing vacant changing rooms as this is just the type of structure that is attractive to roosting bats. Any bats on the site would also be negatively impacted by the proposal to install high powered flood lights to much of the area (see below under ‘Effect of Floodlights’).
On this basis the proposal is unacceptable and should be refused.
- Does not adhere to Manchester’s Biodiversity Strategy – negative effects on protected and priority species
The ecological survey was carried out in March 2021 when certain legally protected species – e.g migrating birds such as swifts – would not be located on the site, yet they are present during spring and summer months, foraging on site.
Furthermore RSPB red listed starlings feed and nest on site. In addition, hedgehogs are also present on site. Hedgehogs are a ‘species of principal importance’ and are listed in Manchester’s Biodiversity Strategy as requiring ‘conservation work to stabilise and increase their numbers’. However, the proposed development would have negative effects on their numbers as nesting, hibernating and feeding ground would be destroyed. Hedgehogs would not have been detected in the survey that was done in March 2021 as they would still have been hibernating at this point. The ecological survey is inadequate and consideration of the application should be delayed until such time as a full ecological survey can be carried out. The proposals also state that “dense vegetation” will be removed from the site (Demolition Plan, Planning Statement for the Softball Court) and this is exactly the type of vegetation that is essential for protected and priority species.
On this basis the proposal is unacceptable and should be refused.