Caravan Park Applies for Barn Conversion Despite Bat Concerns

A caravan park has applied for planning permission for a barn conversion, despite initial concerns about protected bat species.
Abbey Farm Caravan Park has applied to Denbighshire County Council’s planning department, seeking permission to convert a barn to form a caravan park reception, shop, and offices.
The applicant is seeking permission to convert the site at the Horseshoe Pass, Llantysillio.
But a preliminary examination of the building indicated that it has ‘moderate’ potential as a bat roost.
As a result, two dusk activity surveys were completed earlier this year, and three species of bats were recorded.
These included noctule, common, and soprano pipistrelles.
But no bats were seen to emerge from or re-enter the barn other than one brief foraging visit, and the survey concluded that the building is not used as a roost site.
This was decided because the barn has a tin roof, which is not typically conducive for roosting bats, a report concluded.
The planning application will likely be discussed at a future Denbighshire County Council planning committee meeting at the authority’s Ruthin County Hall HQ.

By Richard Evans – Local Democracy Reporter