Save Kiln Meadow (SKiM) gets court hearing....

Save Kiln Meadow (SKiM) gets court hearing

SKiM campaigners outside the council

Save Kiln Meadow (SKiM) a campaign by the Ipswich Wildlife Group have successfully convinced a judge in the High Court that there is a case against the decision by Ipswich Borough Council to sell off an area known as Kiln Meadow. Babergh District Council had given outline planning permission for a housing development despite the concerns over the impacts on one of the largest toad populations recorded in the Toads on Roads campaign.

In a recent case in which the Local Government Ombudsman reached a 'local settlement', Babergh District Council (BDC) were found to be 'at fault' in failing to take wildlife and biodiversity legislation into account when granting outline planning permission for an area known as Kiln Meadow a very key toad habitat among other protected species, part of the Thorrington Hall development. (Planning application number B/02/01984). (Story so far on http://www.greenlivingcentre.org.uk/iwg/skim/story.htm)

The developers Redrow have submitted a plan to build 94 houses on the meadow. After taking legal advice, the planning authority, Babergh, has refused to register this plan. Redrow has also taken legal advice and discussions between Babergh and Redrow are ongoing. It is possible that the planning delay has been caused by the Judicial Review Process. The legal challenge has profound implications in relation to the NERC Act which puts a legal duty on Local Authorities to consider Biodiversity. The Toad Bufo bufo is now listed under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan as a priority species due to its decline in Southern and Eastern England.

Toads on Roads or toad patrols were initially started by ARG Groups in Surrey. Toads on Roads is the campaign title which hundreds of volunteers work under during the spring migration of toads to their breeding ponds. The obstacles of roads means that many get squished by traffic. Toad crossings are registered by the Highways Departments of the different areas. The campaign is now coordinated by the charity Froglife, many toad patrols are maintained by independent volunteer and ARG groups. The Bobbits Lane/Kiln Meadow Crossing is ranked at one of the 3rd highest in terms of 'collected toads' in 2010 - 7,000 toads were rescued from the road over the spring migration. Advice for planners has been produced by the ARC Trust - Toad Advice Sheet for planners

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