From: David Dutton <david.dutton@tameside.gov.uk>

Sent: 17 July 2025 18:59

To: Development Management

Subject: Planning application 25/00463/FUL Littleborough After School Club

Hi Sam

Thank you for consulting the GMEU.

Summary

Potential ecological issues include bats, nesting birds and ecological mitigation and enhancements.

Bats

Bat roosts have previously been recorded in 2021 and 2023. An updated survey in 2025 however failed to find evidence of bats. Only one dusk survey however occurred, which for a previously confirmed roost would not be regarded as adequate, with at least three dusk surveys required. I accept however that the survey now indicates the roost is either abandoned or less active, which is in-line with the consultant’s conclusion that the roost is now at best used occasionally. I therefore recommend that it is assumed that the roost is still present and a license obtained from Natural England based on the 2023 survey. I recommend a condition along the following lines.

The external works to the building are likely to cause harm to common pipistrelle bats and shall not in any circumstances commence unless the local planning authority has been provided with either:

a) a license issued by Natural England pursuant to Regulation 55, of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 authorising the specified activity/development go ahead: or
b) a statement in writing form the relevant licensing body or LPA to the effect that it does not consider that the specified development will require a license

Nesting Birds

House sparrow have been recorded as nesting on the building though not in 2025. Nesting platforms however are presumably still present and nesting may occur in future years. All British birds nests and eggs (with certain limited exceptions) are protected by Section 1 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, as amended. I recommend a condition along the following lines be applied to any permission.

No building works shall commence between the 1^st March and 31^st August in any year unless a precautionary working method statement for nesting birds by a suitably experienced ecologist has been supplied to and agreed in writing by the LPA.

Other Wildlife

I am satisfied that is is very unlikely that there will be any other wildlife issues associated with this development. No further information or measures are required.

Contributing to and Enhancing the Natural Environment & Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)

Section 187 of the NPPF 2024 states that the planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment. 10% BNG is mandatory under Schedule 7A of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 (as inserted by schedule 14 of the Environment Act 2021).

The development site has minimal vegetated habitats, limited to a small area of amenity grassland that is retained and hedge around a container that is also retained but managed. Additional soft landscaping is proposed. Wildlife issues include bats and nesting birds.

The development appears to be exempt from mandatory biodiversity net gain with all existing vegetation retained. I thererfore accept the development is exempt under the de minimis rule.

I accept that the proposed soft landscaping will enhance the biodiversity value of the site no matter what species are utilised. The details of the soft landscaping can be provided via condition.

I recommend provision of three bat and three sparrow terraces as mitigation/enhancement for wildlife The details can be provided via condition.

David Dutton

Ecologist

Planning and Transportation

Place

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Dukinfield Town Hall | King Street | Dukinfield | Tameside | SK16 4LA

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