Post by jonsdigs on Jan 6, 2007 9:38:21 GMT -5
HOLIDAY UNITS? sorry, the bats were there first
Published on 01/06/2007
By Ross Brewster
News & Star (England)
Night feeder: Brown long-eared bats roost at Throstle Hall in Caldbeck
BUILDINGS earmarked for housing development near Caldbeck are a night feeding roost for brown long-eared bats.
And to accommodate visitors and the bats would call for the provision of a 5m long, 2m-high loft, according to experts from the Lake District National Park Authority.
The NPA says there appears to be no suitable space available at Throstle Hall to allow the conversion to accommodate the loft space for the bats.
The authority’s development control committee is being asked to refuse an application to convert traditional farm outbuildings into three holiday units. A report to next week’s meeting in Kendal says the site is suitable for permanent residential use, but to allow the plans would be a “lost opportunity” to provide housing that would meet local needs.
The development would be a major extension of the existing building, harming its character and appearance.
And the authority will hear that insufficient information has been provided to show that the work could be carried out without harming nature conservation as a habitat for the bats.
The applicant is 34-year-old Joe Mounsey, who says he wants to add to the viability of his farming business with the holiday units.
He will present an agricultural appraisal report which says the proposal spreads the risk associated with farming and diversification of this kind is vital to the long term viability of many farm enterprises. The traditional buildings are obsolete and not used for modern day agriculture.
At the same meeting, planners are set to give the go ahead for five homes at Askham near Penrith, for Lowther Estates, subject to securing an agreement that they are to meet identified local housing needs.
Article
Published on 01/06/2007
By Ross Brewster
News & Star (England)
Night feeder: Brown long-eared bats roost at Throstle Hall in Caldbeck
BUILDINGS earmarked for housing development near Caldbeck are a night feeding roost for brown long-eared bats.
And to accommodate visitors and the bats would call for the provision of a 5m long, 2m-high loft, according to experts from the Lake District National Park Authority.
The NPA says there appears to be no suitable space available at Throstle Hall to allow the conversion to accommodate the loft space for the bats.
The authority’s development control committee is being asked to refuse an application to convert traditional farm outbuildings into three holiday units. A report to next week’s meeting in Kendal says the site is suitable for permanent residential use, but to allow the plans would be a “lost opportunity” to provide housing that would meet local needs.
The development would be a major extension of the existing building, harming its character and appearance.
And the authority will hear that insufficient information has been provided to show that the work could be carried out without harming nature conservation as a habitat for the bats.
The applicant is 34-year-old Joe Mounsey, who says he wants to add to the viability of his farming business with the holiday units.
He will present an agricultural appraisal report which says the proposal spreads the risk associated with farming and diversification of this kind is vital to the long term viability of many farm enterprises. The traditional buildings are obsolete and not used for modern day agriculture.
At the same meeting, planners are set to give the go ahead for five homes at Askham near Penrith, for Lowther Estates, subject to securing an agreement that they are to meet identified local housing needs.
Article