KEN WAINMAN ASSOCIATES
Conserving local wildlife when
considering your conversion
his April I celebrated 10 years working in Leek
as a planning consultant and a licensed
surveyor of buildings and sites for bats and
barn owls; first in an office on Derby Street and
for the last nine years on St. Edward Street.
During that time I have dealt with planning
applications and appeals and enforcements issues
for all kinds of development – industry, new
housing, barn conversions, equestrian centres,
stables, outdoor riding areas, agricultural buildings,
offices, shops, supermarkets and mill conversions.
The last couple of years have seen many changes
to planning rules and regulations. Recent
developments include a new Local Plan – the Core
Strategy – for the Moorlands, new masterplans for
Leek and Cheadle town centre and the Churnet
Valley – and changes to the rules to allow the
conversion of agricultural buildings to up to three
houses per farm, shops, and business uses.
The conversion of farm buildings can have a
major impact on the wildlife of the Moorlands
particularly bats, barn owls, swallows, house
T
martins and swifts all of whom nest or roost in farm
buildings and all of whom are under increasing
pressure to survive.
Bats and barn owls and their roost and nest sites
are protected by law and all birds’ nests are
protected during March to April. There are 17
different species of bats in the UK; eight or nine of
which can be found in the Moorlands and farm
buildings are essential to their survival. All UK bats
are insect eaters and the most common bat - the
pipistrelle - is reputed to eat 3000 midges a night
(don’t ask me who counted!). Usually simple things
can be done to allow bats to continue to use
buildings without preventing conversion or
disturbing future residents. A bat survey will tell
you whether bats and owls use your buildings and
how to conserve them as part of conversion
proposals. Please help conserve wildlife in the
Moorlands.
Ken Wainman
Ken Wainman Associates Ltd
Tel. 0796 877 4785
Ken Wainman Associates Ltd
Chartered planning consultant and licensed bat surveyor
working across the Moorlands, Cheshire and Derbyshire
Excellent track record obtaining planning permissions,
winning appeals and resolving enforcement issues.
We provide a range of planning services undertaking both
domestic and commercial work and large and small projects
including landscape design and wildlife surveys.
• Comprehensive, realistic development advice
• Experienced in both urban and rural planning
• Lateral thinking
• Competitive rates
29a St Edward Street, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 5DN
t 01538 386 808
w www.kenwainmanassociates.co.uk
34 Leek Life May/June 2014
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e [email protected]