Dormice not to delay the construction of the Newquay Aerohub
Seasons Ecology has secured a Natural England dormouse licence to ensure that construction of the Newquay Aerohub infrastructure, a development of local, regional and national significance, can continue on schedule.
BAM Construction Ltd was appointed in the autumn 2014 to construct new business park infrastructure, including roads, footpaths, cycleways, plot preparation, underground drainage and associated site landscaping. Their remit includes the removal of sections of hedgerow that are likely to support a low dormouse population and therefore requires a European Protected Species Licence in respect to development (dormouse licence).
With a tight programme of just 12 months (driven by funding), being able to fully remove 60m of hedgerow comprising traditional Cornish hedgebank prior to May 2015 is critical. Dormice hibernate over the winter and as such it is generally best practice to cut and remove vegetation during the winter and then wait until May (when the dormice are active again) to remove the stumps and any hedgebank. Waiting until May to be able to complete the hedgebank removal would significantly impact on the programme. Through the careful design of mitigation Seasons Ecology has satisfied Natural England that the full removal of 60m of hedgerow (including banks) can be undertaken between December 2014 and March 2015. Natural England granted the dormouse licence in December 2014.
Within a week of being granted the dormouse licence, Seasons Ecology has been overseeing the removal of hedgerows.
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