Bright floodlights were reportedly switched on again at MOD Bicester Site A on Saturday night, following concerns raised after similar overnight lighting on Friday.
Wrong Plan. Wrong Site. reported on Saturday that powerful floodlights had been seen illuminating part of Site A for several hours during the night of Friday 18 September, raising questions about their potential impact on bats and other nocturnal wildlife.
Residents have now reported that the floodlights were in use again on Saturday night, meaning the concerns over overnight lighting at the site now extend across at least two consecutive nights.
This is particularly concerning because questions are already being raised about bat activity around Site A and the adequacy of the ecological work carried out in connection with the proposed development. The Bat Conservation Trust says artificial lighting around bat roosts, access points and foraging routes can be highly disruptive, potentially affecting emergence from roosts and feeding behaviour.
At this stage, we do not know why the lights were being used, how long they were operating for on Saturday night, or whether any ecological advice was sought before they were switched on. However, what initially appeared to be a single night of activity now appears to have happened on at least two consecutive nights.
Wrong Plan. Wrong Site. is actively following this up. Members of the campaign and local residents are gathering photographs, video, timings and other evidence, while efforts are also underway to obtain advice from people with appropriate bat and ecological expertise.
We are also seeking clarity over who authorised the lighting, its purpose, whether it is expected to continue and what consideration has been given to its potential effect on wildlife. Given the unresolved questions surrounding ecology at Site A, we believe activity of this kind deserves proper scrutiny.
We will publish further information as soon as it becomes available.
Read our original report:
Overnight floodlighting at MOD Bicester Site A raises fresh questions over impact on bats
