Light pollution fear over business park plans

Residents in Dunchurch are opposed to the scheme at Symmetry Park, and say warehouses are already causing light pollution

Residents living near a Warwickshire village are campaigning against plans to expand a business park amid fears over the impact on local wildlife.

A number of people in Dunchurch are opposed to the scheme at Symmetry Park, warning that new warehouses are already causing light pollution at Cawston Spinney.

They said the development was disrupting the natural environment.

Developer Tritax Big Box said the lighting had been designed to the lowest levels necessary to safeguard the health and safety of those working within the buildings.

"As a responsible and highly experienced developer, we ensure every scheme is delivered fully in line with its planning consent," a spokesperson said.

"Throughout the design process, we work to carefully balance safe operational requirements with the need to minimise any potential impact on the local environment."

The developer Tritax Big Box says its lighting has been designed to the lowest levels necessary to safeguard the health and safety of those working on site

Jo Phillips, chairman of campaign group Action for Dunchurch, said she accepted housing and employment were necessary, but questioned the cost to wildlife.

"We consider the ancient woodland of Cawston Spinney as one of our village assets," she said.

"We're facing 5,000 houses all around Dunchurch and around the ancient wood itself.

"On top of that, to consider [building] more warehouses - 111 acres would be covered in total with these sheds and parking bays for HGVs – we find totally unacceptable."

'Beautiful space'

She said there was "severe skyglow", and that visual impact from the existing development interfered with bat navigation and the circadian rhythms of various wildlife species.

Cawston Spinney was "the most beautiful space", she said.

"To walk outside in that area is what we all came to this rural village for."

The bright lights are affecting the natural rhythms for wildlife and people living nearby, residents say

Karl Curtis of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust said the county only had 7% woodland coverage versus a national average of 10%.

He said the site was home to woodpeckers and a rare breed of bird, the spotted flycatcher, as well as badgers and hedgehogs.

The warehouse scheme was "a real concern", he said, claiming it disturbed nesting birds as well as bats trying to catch food.

"If someone was shining a floodlight in your bedroom window, it would soon affect your wellbeing through lack of sleep," he said.

"What we really need is for people to let the decision-makers know their thoughts about this.

"The fight for nature needs to come from people, not just from organisations."

Rugby Borough Council said it could not comment as the planning application was still being processed.

Consultation on the proposals would close on 30 November, it said.