Bid to save the badgers
THOUSAND PEOPLE SIGN PETITION TO STOP SETT BEING BULLDOZED
MORE than 1,200 people have signed a petition calling on their council to block plans for a development that could leave families of badgers homeless.
The petition, which was only launched last week, urges people to “save the badgers” amid fears they would be driven onto nearby roads if the scheme is approved.
It relates to plans to build 46 flats across four blocks in Harrow’s Pinner Road along a slim strip of land close to the Metropolitan line.
The petition reads: “This will cause complete destruction of the woodland which is home to a family of badgers and other animals and a plethora of flora and fauna, which include protected trees. Let’s get this piece of woodland protected.”
Several signatories attached their reasons for supporting the campaign, with many in agreement that more should be done to protect Harrow’s natural spaces.
Rachel Hussian said: “It’s about time badgers got a break – supposedly a protected species.”
Amanda Smith argued that Harrow is “turning into a concrete jungle” and urged the council to “leave this land alone”. Ray Hill added: “The natural world is under pressure and we must stop destroying it before it’s too late and we end up destroying ourselves. We are part of nature after all.”
Harrow Green Party member and former parliamentary candidate Emma Wallace said the development would have a clear negative impact on the area. She said: “It’s going to destroy a green corridor, a natural badgers’ sett and mature trees. This area is already so polluted so to remove a strip of green land that acts against this is very concerning.
“It also increases the flood risk – if you concrete over this patch of land then where’s the water going to run off to?”
At a major developments panel last year, Harrow Council was assured the site would maintain “most of its green character by retaining the quality trees”.
Councillors on the panel were generally satisfied with the initial plans though some were disappointed not to see more larger homes put forward.
The council’s planning committee is expected to review the application in November. Planning agent DLBP has been contacted for comment.
This area is already to polluted so to remove a strip of green land that acts against this is very concerning. Emma Wallace