Impact on bats and badgers given as reasons for planning refusal for Sligo housing development

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Planning permission for a proposed development consisting of 99 homes, two GAA pitches and a childcare facility at Hazelwood Road has been refused by Sligo County Council following an application by Golden Hill Developments Ltd.

The Planner’s Report in relation to the application recommended refusing the planning application based on four reasons.

The report states; “The Planning Authority is not satisfied that the proposed residential component of the development would represent the orderly and sequential expansion of Sligo Town or accord with the Compact Growth principles as set-out in the Sligo County Development Plan.

It was also noted in the report that the County Development Plan requires, “All new developments to provide a separate foul and surface water drainage system and to incorporate sustainable urban drainage systems where feasible.”

The report noted, “It is considered that the information submitted in support of the application has failed to demonstrate that the proposed method of surface water disposal for the development would be suitable for the site. As such, surface water run-off from the development may exacerbate flooding or have a detrimental effect on water quality.

The third reason highlighted for recommending that permission not be granted related to the protection of habitats of protected species with the report stating, “Due to the absence of a bat dusk emergence survey, the applicant has failed to confirm that the existing agricultural buildings are not used as a roost for bats, and therefore is not the habitat of a protected species. As such the proposed development, may lead to the destruction of the habitat of a protected species.”

The final reason stated also referred to the protection of habitats of protected species stating, “As outlined within the Ecological Impact Assessment included with the application the proposal will result in the disturbance or loss of a badger sett(s) which is the habitat of a protected species. The proposal fails to provide details relating to the adequate mitigation for the loss of this habitat.

“As such, the applicant has failed to submit adequate information in relation to a habitat for badgers, and to demonstrate that the proposed development, will not lead to the loss of the habitat of a protected species.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.