Wildlife charities welcome road plan withdrawal

Norfolk County Council said it made the "difficult decision" to withdraw the plan, which has been welcomed by wildlife charities

Two wildlife organisations have welcomed a decision to withdraw plans for a dual carriageway through a sensitive habitat.

Norfolk County Council said it reluctantly conceded that the Norwich Western Link - a 3.9-mile (6.3km) section of road to complete the A1270 Broadland Northway into a third ring road - was unlikely to be given a licence for construction.

It said it would continue conversations with the government, which had been advised by Natural England that the road through the Wensum Valley would harm barbastelle bats in the area.

However, the authority said the road remained "a priority project".

Both the Woodland Trust and Norfolk Wildlife Trust have both welcomed the move.

Eliot Lyne, the chief executive of Norfolk Wildlife Trust, called on the council to find a resolution that allowed economic growth without impacting on nature

Eliot Lyne, the chief executive of Norfolk Wildlife Trust called upon the authority to find a resolution that allowed economic growth without impacting on nature.

"Our primary concern has always been the devastating effect the road would have on the last remaining colonies of the rare and legally-protected barbastelle bat," he said.

"With the road looking likely not to go ahead, these vital habitats can remain undisturbed and continue to provide homes, not just for bats but also badgers, owls, linnet, yellowhammers and other wildlife.

"This... shows that by working together to speak up for nature and backed by sound evidence, we can defend and protect Norfolk's incredible wildlife.

'However, it remains disappointing that Norfolk County Council's process and application to build the road did not avoid unacceptable harm to wildlife in the first place."

Jack Taylor, from the Woodland Trust, said the road, if built, would have "driven a stake straight through the heart" of a precious natural habitat

The Woodland Trust's Woods Under Threat lead campaigner, Jack Taylor, welcomed the announcement.

He said: "This is one of the biggest cases affecting veteran trees I have come across during my 10 years at the Woodland Trust.

"We estimate at least 30 veterans are at risk of loss, but potentially up to 90 facing some form of harm – each one a vitally important habitat for nature, people and the planet.

"This road would drive a stake straight through the heart of Norfolk's precious natural environment and destroy one of our largest colonies of the incredibly rare Barbastelle bat, a creature facing extinction."

A spokesman for Norfolk County Council said: "We have made the difficult decision to withdraw the current planning application and prioritise discussions with the Department for Transport on the way forward for the project.

"The Norwich Western Link remains a priority project for this council."