‘Every year, light pollution contributes to the death of millions of birds. It alters the natural patterns of light and dark in ecosystems. It can change birds' migration patterns, foraging behaviours, and vocal communication’. (AEWA).

A hospital and business park on this sight will increase light pollution, noise pollution and air pollution, adjacent to a site of Special Scientific Interest, which is Talbot Heath.

‘The impact of urban development on the conservation of heathlands has long been recognised as a conservation issue. While important heathland sites are now designated and protected from direct loss from development, there can still be impacts from development in the surrounding countryside.’ (Footprint Ecology)

A hospital will have a negative effect on the creatures around the Heath as well as on it. Rare species of wildlife such as the sand lizard and the Dartford warbler are found there. Highmoor Farm is an essential foraging ground for many birds. Any additional pressures on this habitat will have unknown, likely adverse effects on their numbers and health. It has been shown that mitigation techniques (eg a Heathland Support Area) are capable of worsening the welfare of heathland.

The BCP area is extremely short on green space. Talbot Heath is one of the view areas with a green rating according to Friends of the Earth. It would appear TVT is determined to change that and remove yet more of the remaining ‘green’ areas in the borough, reducing quality of life and affecting well-being of the residents.

Here’s a link to an article by the RSPB in relation the TVT’s 2012 unsuccessful bid to build a large housing estate on Highmoor Farm.

https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/casework/cases/talbot-heath/

TVT will try and try again to develop this land, without consideration of its importance in the context of the sensitive adjacent heathland.

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