The Daily Mail reports that barbastelle bats have been detected at MOD Bicester Site A, adding to questions surrounding the ecological assessment of the proposed asylum accommodation development.
Barbastelles are a rare and protected bat species whose populations have declined significantly across Europe. The newspaper reports that their presence could require further specialist surveys and potentially a licence from Natural England before works affecting the species or its habitat could proceed.
The Daily Mail quotes ecologist Pedro Collins, who previously worked as a biodiversity officer with the Environment Agency for more than 20 years. He told the newspaper that he was certain the detections were barbastelle bats and said their presence could significantly increase the ecological importance of the site.
The report follows recent scrutiny of other wildlife records around MOD Bicester, including great crested newts, and refers to ecological evidence being examined by the Wrong Plan Wrong Site campaign.
According to the article, an ecological report seen by the newspaper argues that the presence of barbastelles could require further multi-season surveys before certain works take place.
The Home Office told the Daily Mail that appropriate surveys had been carried out taking account of the seasonal behaviour of different species, and maintained that the proposal is unlikely to have a significant environmental impact.
The latest report adds to the continuing debate over whether the ecological evidence available for MOD Bicester Site A is sufficiently complete before the proposed development proceeds.
