THE potential destruction of bat habitation has caused anger amongst residents opposed to a new housing development.

Watersplash Lane in Warfield is a public heritage highway bordered by hedgerow.

Recently Bracknell Forest Council (BFC) granted permission to Millgate Homes to build five houses along the lane and widen a pavement to give the properties access.

It is this widening that concerns activists who believe ancient trees containing protected brown, long eared bats will be destroyed.

As well as starting a petition with more than 700 signatures, Louise Asher has taken her concern to the council.

Bracknell News:

Bronwen Davis with Daisy Grimes 16 - 170819 Watersplash Lane protestors over new houses - Pictures: Mike Swift.

“There is no need for this, they could just turn the houses the other way round and this wouldn’t happen,” explained the 49 year-old sports therapist.

“The local area is currently subject to huge developments and the lane could offer a vital oasis to displaced creatures.

“Its development is absolutely unnecessary and is motivated purely by the financial gain of the developers. We have so little natural heritage left in Bracknell.”

Ms Asher believes the removal of 75 metres of hedgerow and boundary trees, coupled with the addition of street lighting, could also upset native stag beetle populations.

Another protestor and a Watersplash Lane homeowner, Bronwen Davies, added: “People have been using this lane as it is for hundreds of years. It doesn’t need to be widened.

“Bracknell Forest Council need to realise just how passionate people are about keeping it.”

Vincent Paliczka, director of environment, culture and communities at BFC, said the council was happy with the information provided by Millgate and that four ecological assessments had been undertaken.

He said: “While it is recognised that vegetation on the boundaries of the site may be a source for bat foraging, no bats have been found to be roosting in the hedgerow.

“The dominant species of vegetation is the Leyland Cypress which is non-native and does not support many invertebrates for bats to feed on and also does not provide sufficient roosting features for bats.

“The development proposes to replace this hedgerow with a mixed species native hedgerow and large native oak trees. Once they are established, these will provide a more valuable habitat for a wide range of biodiversity including foraging for bats.

“In the meantime, six bat boxes will be provided at the site ahead of the dismantling of any buildings.”

Millgate Homes was contacted for comment.