Reservoir reserve could be damaged by new homes (From Chard & Ilminster News)

Reservoir reserve could be damaged by new homes

3:00pm Saturday 2nd February 2013 in News

A CABBIE is becoming a driving force in a campaign to help save the Chard Reservoir nature res-erve from being damaged in a planned housing development.

Morrish Builders have applied to South Somerset District Council for planning permission for a 78-home development on land off Oaklands Avenue, close to the council-owned nature reserve.

But people living close to the site are worried that the development could have a detrimental impact on the neighbourhood and the beauty spot.

Taxi driver Brian Joyner, of Bracken Way, Chard, is gaining support from neighbours in his campaign to oppose the plans, which are expected to go before the district council’s Area West committee on February 20.

He said: “We might go down, but we won’t go down without a fight.”

He believes important wildlife may be put at risk because of the possible development, including birds, and the protected dormouse and slow worm.

Mr Joyner said he would attend the district council meeting with others and will talk about their concerns over the proposals.

“The Chard Reservoir area is so important that many of us down here are worried it could be badly damaged by proposed developments including housing and roads,” he said.

Mr Joyner hopes to enlist further support for the campaign from the RSPB and well-known bird lover Bill Oddie.

“I’ve spoken to the RSPB and hope to get them on board along with people like Bill Oddie,” he said.

“There’s also the question of dormice and slow worms on the site.”

Mr Joyner believes a lot of work would need to be done to ensure that dormice and slow worms are not harmed if the development is given the go-ahead.

A spokesman for Morrish has said the land is already earmarked for homes and it has been working closely with the council on its regeneration plans for Chard.