Object

Representation ID: 4576

Received: 07/08/2025

Respondent: RSPB England

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Yes

The RSPB remains seriously concerned that new residential development within 400m of the SSSI could have an adverse effect on the nationally important breeding Nightingale population that forms a key interest feature of Lodge Hill SSSI. Experience from elsewhere suggests that, for species such as Nightingales that nest on/low to the ground, acute urbanisation impacts (including cat predation and recreational disturbance) are unlikely to be mitigable where new housing is located in close proximity to breeding sites. In addition to the lack of a clear policy approach for the SSSI, we have concerns about two of the proposed allocation sites.