CONCERNS over rare species of bats have been sparked now plans for a Morrisons’ store in St Austell have been submitted.
The planning application for a 30,000sq ft store on the existing Pentewan Road retail park, with food and non-food stock, which has gone before Cornwall Council, includes an associated service yard, customer parking, external lighting, highway works and alterations to the existing retail car park and access.
Deputy clerk Sara Gwilliams said St Austell Town Council was given a deadline of August 24 to respond but due to members on annual leave they were granted an extension.
The town council will now discuss the plans, by developer Broadley Park Properties Ltd, at a meeting on Monday, September 10, which was originally a community committee meeting but is now a full council meeting.
Cornwall Bat Group, a consultee for the application, expressed concerns on Cornwall Council’s online planning register that a bat survey had not been carried out.
It wrote: “It is noted that no bat surveys have been recommended or undertaken, this is somewhat surprising as the surrounding area is known to be used by at least nine species of bats and known roosts of very rare barbastelle, as well as the two more common pipistrelle and brown long-eared bats, are within 5km of the proposed site. It is also noted that a recent nearby development has been subject to extensive mitigation and several European Protected Species licences from Natural England.”
Mercian Developments’ application for a retail park, housing, care home and Sainsbury’s superstore at Coyte Farm in Trewoon is expected to be submitted by October.
Source: http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Plans-spark-concerns-bats/story-16725900-detail/story.html
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