Scissett newt row rumbles on as planning deadline looms
Nov 3 2010 by Nick Lavigueur, Huddersfield Daily Examiner
Scissett newt row rumbles on as planning deadline looms
A BUILDER is to press ahead with homes on a site in Scissett despite opposition from local residents and eco-campaigners.
Persimmon Homes have permission for 92 houses on land behind Scissett Baths.
But because parts of the site provide a habitat for the rare Great Crested Newt, any building work will require a special licence.
Now angry protestors have been told the company will apply for the licence.
They grew concerned after workers were spotted on a controversial development site.
Members of Save our Scissett (SOS) are battling to stop a housing development on land populated by a protected species of newt.
Planning permission for the 92-house estate behind Scissett Baths has been granted, but developer Persimmon Homes requires a European Protected Species licence before it is allowed to start building.
Harming the protected species is a criminal offence and can incur a fine of up to £5,000 and up to six months imprisonment per offence.
SOS member Mr Melvin Lodge, 73, saw four workers on the land off Langley Lane last Wednesday
The Sunnymead resident said the group identified themselves as a manager for developer Savile Estates, a bio-diversity surveyor and two representatives of Persimmon builders.
He said: “When I enquired what they were doing they declined to say.
“But after a short exchange of words they said they were going ahead with the project.”
Persimmon land director Neil Williams confirmed he had been in the field that day.
A spokeswoman for Persimmon Homes, said they had applied for a licence.
She said: “Although the majority of the site is not suitable habitat for sustaining a Great Crested Newt population, Persimmon Homes has applied for the licence in order to ensure that construction works are able to proceed in certain areas without risk of harm or obstruction to Great Crested Newts.
