Maidencombe residents have been awaiting the High Court decision regarding a Judicial Review brought by the Devon Wildlife Trust on a planning application by Teignbridge County Council. The application is for 230 houses to be built in close proximity to a site of greater horseshoe bats. The initial case was heard on June 12th when it was indicated that a decision would be made in the following weeks.
The Western Morning News published the outcome on July 29th. The article can be viewed at:
http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/High-Court-rules-challenge-protect-rare-bat/story-27509688-detail/story.html
To the dismay of conservationists and wildlife experts, the High Court chose to dismiss the challenge and rule in favour of the council and developers.
The judge found that the council had breached European Environmental Impact Assessment rules but still refused to quash the application.
Devon Wildlife Trust chief executive Harry Barton summed up what Maidencombers will now be pondering: “The judge’s decision is a blow to the future for the greater horseshoe bats of Chudleigh. But more worrying is the message that this case sends to developers and local authorities. This is alarming to say the least.”