Bird and badger headaches are driving Pleasure Island redevelopment consortium completely batty

                                                                            

Plenty of homes for bats - to dismay of developers!

THE discovery of bats breeding and roosting in several of the derelict buildings at the former Pleasure Island theme park in Cleethorpes is causing a headache for the consortium that wants to redevelop the site.

Work cannot proceed until the buildings have been removed, but it is illegal to disturb bats which are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

In a preliminary statement of intention, agents for the consortium - led by Lidl supermarket chain - says: "Measures will be put in place to address impacts on bats.

"These will include provision of on-site roosts and dark corridors within a landscaping scheme to provide suitable alternative habitat."

The documents adds: "A Natural England Licence will be obtained to enable demolition of the buildings and limit impacts on bats."

The consortium has plans to redevelop the seafront site with a supermarket, a drive-thru coffee shop, holiday lodges and two hotels.

But it faces other wildlife obstacles - including the presence of a badger sett.

Says the consortium: "It is intended to retain the existing badger sett if possible.

"During construction a 30-metre buffer would be placed around the sett to limit disturbance.

"Foraging opportunities would be retained to allow movement through the site and to provide escape routes from excavation. 

"If required (based on results of further surveys) a Natural England Licence will be obtained." 

Since the theme park ceased operation, Pleasure Island has become what is known an 'accidental' nature reserve, home also to water voles, possibly some reptiles and numerous songbirds, including many species of warbler and cuckoos.

The consortium insists these creatures will also be safeguarded by means of new habitat creation and provision of "nesting oppportunities".

The consortium hopes to submit a formal planning application for redevelopment later this winter.