Concern potential housing site in Exmouth is home to rare bat

According to the Bat Conservation Trust, external, Barbastelle bats are a “rare and distinctive species”.

Hart produced a pair of toy bats from his pockets at the council meeting as he told of his discovery of the dead bat, and said: “Go on, vote for knowingly promoting the destruction of habitat of this endangered species.”

He said the bat was “very susceptible to disturbance, loss of habitat and light pollution”, stating he believed the council was “ignoring the evidence” that pointed to the sensitivity of Exmo_20.

“It’s your irresponsible behaviour that is promoting the destruction of habitat which led to the need for the habitat’s regulations,” he said.

The Exmo_20 proposal is for a neighbourhood of new homes, and the site is near Grade II-listed St John in the Wilderness Church and heaths.

The council is working to finalise its draft local plan and while a site’s inclusion does not guarantee planning permission, it means developers may propose schemes there.