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   Hi everyone

Whilst shopping this morning I saw a headline in the local newspaper regarding the removal of reptiles from the Mash Barn Lane area of Lancing, where Brighton and Hove Albion are planning to build a training ground. It transpires that even though the planning application is not to be heard until 1st October, Adur District Council have already given permission for the removal of reptiles to commence. And, indeed, this has commenced on 18th September by, they maintain, "an experienced and qualified ecologist".
Given the time of year it is only in the most exceptionally good weather that a reptile clearance would even be considered by any competent ecologist. Clearly, however, experienced and qualified this ecologist may be, they are, given current and forecast weather 
in practise 
, totally incompetent. 
Such undertaking now (which according to the newspaper involves moving animals in hibernation) will simply result in the deaths of large numbers of animals - but, hey, you know that bit!
Before you ask, I am completely indifferent at a personal level as to whether or not this application succeeds - it's nowhere near me!! But I am concerned about this ill-conceived and misguided so-called mitigation.
The only links I can give you are:-
Planning Application = http://planning.adur-worthing.gov.uk/online-applications/simpleSearchResults.do?action=firstPage
Local residents blog = http://saveourgap.wordpress.com/author/saveourgap/ (article of 18 September) 
I personally have written to the council and to my local MP (who also covers this area) although, sadly, the chances of this having any effect are small. Sussex ARG have, already, I gathered raised this issue.
Chris

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Iowarth Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Status: Offline Points: 743	Post Options Post Reply Quote Iowarth Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Sep 2012 at 11:47am
	Hi everyone Whilst shopping this morning I saw a headline in the local newspaper regarding the removal of reptiles from the Mash Barn Lane area of Lancing, where Brighton and Hove Albion are planning to build a training ground. It transpires that even though the planning application is not to be heard until 1st October, Adur District Council have already given permission for the removal of reptiles to commence. And, indeed, this has commenced on 18th September by, they maintain, "an experienced and qualified ecologist". Given the time of year it is only in the most exceptionally good weather that a reptile clearance would even be considered by any competent ecologist. Clearly, however, experienced and qualified this ecologist may be, they are, given current and forecast weather in practise , totally incompetent. Such undertaking now (which according to the newspaper involves moving animals in hibernation) will simply result in the deaths of large numbers of animals - but, hey, you know that bit! Before you ask, I am completely indifferent at a personal level as to whether or not this application succeeds - it's nowhere near me!! But I am concerned about this ill-conceived and misguided so-called mitigation. The only links I can give you are:- Planning Application = http://planning.adur-worthing.gov.uk/online-applications/simpleSearchResults.do?action=firstPage Local residents blog = http://saveourgap.wordpress.com/author/saveourgap/ (article of 18 September) I personally have written to the council and to my local MP (who also covers this area) although, sadly, the chances of this having any effect are small. Sussex ARG have, already, I gathered raised this issue. Chris
	Chris Davis, Site Administrator Co-ordinator, Sand Lizard Captive Breeding Programme (RETIRED)

GemmaJF Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 25 Jan 2003 Location: Essex Status: Offline Points: 4359	Post Options Post Reply Quote GemmaJF Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Sep 2012 at 3:03pm
	Absolutely the worst scenario one could imagine. There is absolutely no circumstance where animals should be moved before planning permission and the client should have been advised so. To start in September, which clearly is not suitable this year is simple incompetence on the part of the consultant involved. Working in September takes judgement of weather conditions, both long-term and short-term, I knew in the very first week this year September would not be a suitable month for survey or mitigation. One can only imagine this is a money driven exercise by a consultant who values cash above their reputation. Lets hope this is stopped Chris.

herpetologic2 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Coordinator Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1511	Post Options Post Reply Quote herpetologic2 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Sep 2012 at 3:27pm
	This is a matter for the Police. It is the Police who are the ones which would deal with protected species - Natural England would be involved if this was a license for an EPS species. Moving animals in this weather and this late on in the season could be unlawful. The planning authority should not have allowed for the removal of the animals prior to planning permission Is there any information on the receptor site they are being moved to at all? Regards

GemmaJF Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 25 Jan 2003 Location: Essex Status: Offline Points: 4359	Post Options Post Reply Quote GemmaJF Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Sep 2012 at 3:30pm
	I think you are right Jon - this really is a case of animal welfare and the Police should be involved. Though I would think it wise that NE are kept in the loop.

herpetologic2 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Coordinator Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1511	Post Options Post Reply Quote herpetologic2 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Sep 2012 at 3:30pm
	Phone 101 - tell the police that reptiles are being moved which can lead to the death or injury of reptiles which are protected under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended etc). Report it take a crime reference number - the wildlife crime officer should make a visit and discuss this with the ecologists etc to make sure that a crime is not being committed. It is not only the WCA 1981 there is the welfare legislation and the abandonment of animals legislation to consider as well. Regards

herpetologic2 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Coordinator Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1511	Post Options Post Reply Quote herpetologic2 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Sep 2012 at 3:31pm
	NE would only be involved if it was related to SSSI, or EPS license breaches - the police would take advice from NE. This should stop the movement of animals at this time.

GemmaJF Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 25 Jan 2003 Location: Essex Status: Offline Points: 4359	Post Options Post Reply Quote GemmaJF Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Sep 2012 at 4:07pm
	Agreed Jon, there are potentially offences under both the WCA 1981 and the Abandonment of Animals Act 1960 to be considered. The very brief summary of the Abandonment of Animals Act as provided by Defra reads: This Act makes it an offence for the owner, or any person having charge or control of an animal, to abandon it, whether permanently or not, in circumstances likely to cause it any unnecessary suffering. http://adlib.everysite.co.uk/adlib/defra/content.aspx?doc=18020&id=18022 It is crystal clear to me that moving reptiles in the current weather condition would be likely to cause unnecessary suffering. At the very least this work should be stopped in its tracks though I believe in this case the consultant claiming to be a 'an experienced and qualified ecologist' ought to be investigated further by the Police.

AGILIS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1689	Post Options Post Reply Quote AGILIS Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Sep 2012 at 7:15pm
	I think if you walked into a cop shop and reported any of the herp removal scenarios it would end up with you being arrested for wasting police time or ushered out of the station with a caution.keith
	LOCAL ICYNICAL CELTIC ECO WARRIOR AND FAILED DRUID

GemmaJF Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 25 Jan 2003 Location: Essex Status: Offline Points: 4359	Post Options Post Reply Quote GemmaJF Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Sep 2012 at 9:05pm
	Why would you think that Keith? Most forces now have wildlife liaison officers who should be up to speed on wildlife crime issues. It is extremely important people do report these sort of events and record the crime number.

sejvej Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 21 Jun 2013 Location: gloucestershire Status: Offline Points: 11	Post Options Post Reply Quote sejvej Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 21 Jun 2013 at 4:15pm
	Some of you will remember the controversy surrounding the translocation of thousands of reptiles from Essex to Wiltshire a couple of years ago. Dubai Ports financed it and the reptiles were sent to two sites managed by Wiltshire Wildlife. One of these sites was Sandpool Farm which is in fact in Gloucestershire. Sandpool Farm was purchased for them by Dubai Ports. Wiltshire Wildlife are at present applying for planning permission to develop a solar park on this site with no regard for the reptiles they were paid £180,000 to relocate . We are relying on Natural England to step in and advise the council to reject this application. Despite having translocated a large number of reptiles to this site they are claiming the land is of little ecological value. They carried out ecological survey in December! If the wildlife trusts wont stand up for wildlife what hope is there! http://www.wiltsglosstandard.co.uk/news/cotswolds/10498164.Anger_over_Cotswold_Water_Park_solar_farm_plans/?action=success&ref=erec Edited by herpetologic2 - 21 Jun 2013 at 8:14pm
	sejvej