Homes plan deferred for bat ecology report

PLANNERS have deferred a decision over nine homes in an East Devon village over fears about a lack of information at a site dubbed of 'national importance' to bats.

- BRADLEY GERRARD Local Democracy Reporter

A plan for nine homes in West Hill, a village near Ottery St Mary, had been recommended for approval by planning officers, but its fate will continue to hang in the balance.

Members of East Devon District Council's planning committee heard that the site on land adjoining West Hayes at Eastfield, was an area of "national importance" for a range of bat species. They were told that while no bat roosts had been found on the proposed development site, at least 11 species had been found to use the area for foraging.