Housing developers causing environmental damage?

Residents’ concern over flooding and dead newts

Developers responsible for the Hunters Wood housing development in the east of Melksham have been accused of causing “significant environmental damage” to the area and local wildlife.

According to local residents, developers failed to carry out a thorough ecological study of the area by not considering a pond – described as a “small lake” – on private land next to the development, which could be home to great crested newts, a protected species.

Residents have also criticised Wiltshire Council for  “lack of due diligence” for not challenging the ecological survey during the planning process, and for not overseeing the works as it progresses.

“Builders are working unmonitored, unrestrained and unchecked,” said one resident at a recent town council meeting.

Construction work and an “ineffective” site drainage plan has recently caused flooding in Farmhouse Court and Berkley Way residents’ gardens adjacent to the development, and dead newts have been found in the flood waters, which could be considered a wildlife crime, says the residents.

And whilst it has not been established what species of newt inhabits the pond at Berkley House, the matter is being investigated by a Wiltshire Police wildlife officer.

In a letter to Wiltshire Council, a resident said about the ecological survey, “It is 10 years out of date, fundamentally flawed and patently inaccurate, stating that it found no trace of any amphibians in the area it claims to have surveyed, at the same time ignoring the largest waterbody in the area and a resident population of newts that are very likely to be members of a species protected by law.”

Residents have called for a new study of the area to investigate the local population of newts and the cause of the flooding.

“We need to make sure we are not making a bad situation worse,” said a Berkley Way resident.

Both Melksham Town Council and Melksham Without Parish Council have shown their support for the residents’ concerns by objecting to a planning application to amend the plans for the land adjacent to Farmhouse Court and Berkley Way, refusing to support further progress of the building works until the issues are investigated and resolved.

“Planning consent that has been granted is not sound,” said cllr Jon Hubbard at a meeting of the town council’s economic development and planning committee.

And the town council, and a group of Wiltshire councillors representing Melksham, also requested Wiltshire Council put an immediate stop to works whilst investigations are carried out. 

However, Wiltshire Council has told the town council that as the developer is “complying with the previously approved plans”, and the cause of flooding is currently unknown, they are unable to request that work stops.

Wiltshire Council has also explained that as housebuilders do not have legal access to land outside of their control, the pond on land at Berkeley House would not have been assessed by the developers or their agents as part of any application.

And developers David Wilson Homes has said that   an independent ecologist has found no newts “on or around the site”, and has offered to carry out a new independent, ecological survey of the pond at Berkley House.

A spokesperson for David Wilson Homes told Melksham News, “Protecting local wildlife on and around our developments is hugely important to us and we take our responsibilities seriously.

“An independent ecologist has visited the development at Hunters Wood and the surrounding area to survey wildlife and monitor our work. No newts were found on or around the site and the ecological protection measures were deemed sufficient and effective. 

“We have offered to carry out a new independent, ecological survey of the pond at Berkley House specifically and remain hopeful for co-operation from the land owner. We are continuing active ecological monitoring and we will implement further protection measures as required.”

Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for highways, transport and waste, cllr Bridget Wayman,  said, “We are aware of concerns over the development of the site and have investigated. The investigation has not brought to light any breaches of the planning permission under which the developers are operating. 

“The developers have advised us that they have an ecologist on site to ensure that the engineers and contractors are minimising disturbance and acting sensitively.  

“Our drainage engineers have also carried out a site inspection of the area and will be doing more surveying of the watercourses over the next few days to try and establish the cause of the waterlogged gardens.”

“Any allegation of harm to a protected species would be a matter for the police.”