Celebrating 40 years – Changes to Bat Advice – 27Dec25

The bat group turned 40 this year, and to celebrate one of longest standing members, and former chair, Edward Wells talks about the history of the bat group on BCT's podcast BatChat. Well worth a listen while peeling the sprouts!

Planning and Infrastructure Bill – 29Nov25

The nights are long ,and all the bats are hopefully safely in hibernation now. And for those holding bat licences, its the last couple of days to find all those batty records and get your annual return in. In this newsletter we have: - Two messages from our parent bodies about the Planning and Infrastructure Bill - Our last Bat Detector Workshops of the year was a great success

URGENT: Planning bill threatens bat conservation – act now – 20Mar25

We are sending this urgent message from the Bat Conservation Trust to all past and present members, please do act now!

Grey long-eared and Planning reforms – 3Feb25

It seems that bats have been all over the news recently, and in this packed Somerset Bat Group Newsletter we have: - We are going to be looking for grey long-eared again this year. - Time for us all to reply to governments planning reforms.

Asham old void quarry - as far as you can see to be filled into the ridge treetop level.

Bat Group response to revised proposals for Westdown Quarry – 19Nov23

The Bat Group were asked by Colin Arnold, Service Manager, Planning and Development SCC to comment on these revised planning applications regarding Hanson’s Westdown Quarry

Asham old void quarry - as far as you can see to be filled into the ridge treetop level.

Bat Group response to revised proposals for Westdown Quarry – 1Aug22

The Bat Group were asked by Colin Arnold, Service Manager, Planning and Development SCC to comment on these revised planning applications regarding Hanson’s Westdown Quarry: https://planning.somerset.gov.uk/Planning/Display?applicationNumber=SCC/3795/2021 https://planning.somerset.gov.uk/Planning/Display?applicationNumber=SCC/3836/2021/IDO https://planning.somerset.gov.uk/Planning/Display?applicationNumber=SCC/3837/2021/IDO https://planning.somerset.gov.uk/Planning/Display?applicationNumber=SCC/3838/2021/ROMP These comments are published on our website: https://somersetbat.group/2022/08/01/westdown-update/ They should be read alongside our previous comments, which also form part of this 1/8/22 response: https://somersetbat.group/2020/12/04/response-westdown-quarry-expansion/ https://somersetbat.group/2021/06/29/scc-westdown-consultation/Continue reading Bat Group response to revised proposals for Westdown Quarry – 1Aug22

Asham old void quarry - as far as you can see to be filled into the ridge treetop level.

Updated SBG response to SCC Westdown Quarry expansion consultation – 30th June 2021

The group was not consulted by Somerset County Council on this application, details of which can be found on their website: https://planning.somerset.gov.uk/Planning/Display?applicationNumber=SCC%2F3795%2F2021  https://planning.somerset.gov.uk/Planning/Display?applicationNumber=SCC%2F3837%2F2021%2FIDO  https://planning.somerset.gov.uk/Planning/Display?applicationNumber=SCC%2F3838%2F2021%2FROMP  https://planning.somerset.gov.uk/Planning/Display?applicationNumber=SCC%2F3836%2F2021%2FIDO   We had been invited to reply to Hanson consultation in December 2020, and our reply is published here: https://somersetbat.group/2020/12/04/response-westdown-quarry-expansion/ This text was also copied into our 29/6/21 comments Our reply to SCC consultation … Continue reading Updated SBG response to SCC Westdown Quarry expansion consultation – 30th June 2021