A CONTROVERSIAL planning application to build four homes on a well-used badger site have been approved by East Hampshire District Council. At the north-area planning committee meeting last Thursday, councillors voted in favour of plans to build detached homes and garages on land next to the Badger-swood Surgery, in Mill Lane, Headley. The developer will create artificial setts for the badgers at the back of the site, and will begin building the homes when the badgers have adopted their new homes - subject to conditions set by the conservation group Natural England. The decision came despite fierce opposition from residents, local councillors and wildlife groups. Mick Neeve, from the East Hampshire Badger Group, said: "To my mind, the 14 councillors who voted in favour of moving a 50-year-old sett had not taken on board the objections raised. "The proposal goes directly against the written advice of Natural England, who state that 'destruction of main setts should be considered only as a last resort' and 'where all other options have been examined and failed'. Other design options have not been fully expl-ored. It should be possible to design a development that does not have a major impact on the main sett." But Natural England raised no objection and will issue a licence for the relocation of the badgers. Concerns for other wildlife at the site were raised, and the developer will have to consider a survey into the bats and reptiles present before commencing. Other consultees - including the arboricultural consultant, the parking and highways manager and the principal landscape officer at the district council - raised objections. In total, 40 letters of objection were received, stating concerns about: the character of Headley; the retention of woodland and more traffic. The chairman of Headley Resident's Association, Phil Burns, said: "We have grave doubts about the provision for the badgers and the safety of road users and pedestrians. The road will become even busier and much more dangerous." Headley Parish Council also objected, stating: "We are still not satisfied that the relocation of the badgers to an artificial sett will be sufficient to protect them in their current environment." Bill Baxter, on behalf of the developer, Strathmoor Developments Ltd, told the committee: "We have consulted Natural England twice, and they raised no objection. I know the issue of badgers is of concern, but the legislation in the Badgers Act determines that badgers must be humanely treated and, I assure you, they will be."
