Council investigating after claims developer breached planning control and started work on site that 'has protected species'
Work on a site in Leighton Buzzard has halted amid an investigation into whether a developer could have breached planning rules and fears for protected wildlife.
Central Bedfordshire Council has confirmed that it is investigating after it received a report that Abraham Investments Limited had begun bulldozing on land south of Chartmoor Road.
This has left a Leighton Buzzard councillor and resident concerned, as it is believed that a protected species currently lives on the site – and the LBO has been shown video evidence of a sighting this month.
Abraham Investments Ltd says that it has "relied upon the findings of the ecologists appointed to assess the site" and that it is "cooperating with Central Bedfordshire Council and its professional advisers."
Central Bedfordshire Councillor Chris Leaman (Lib Dem, Leighton Linslade South) claimed: "Both the council and Bedfordshire Police have been contacted.
"Throughout the planning process there were concerns raised about protected species on the site."
He pointed out that if a company were to start work without a licence from Natural England it could be a wildlife crime.
He said: "The developer signed up to these legal requirements as a condition of planning permission being granted."
He added any work would also require a Construction Traffic Management Plan.
The resident, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed: "The land has served as an active, established territory for protected, native fauna for at least four years. There are at least two areas of activity on the site currently.
"Specific details regarding the species and the exact locations of their habitats have been withheld from public record in accordance with wildlife protection guidelines to prevent illegal interference and disturbance."
Councillor Leaman told the LBO that he spotted a bulldozer on site in early July, and has shared his footage and pictures with the LBO.
The council has approved a planning application the erection of eight units – within six buildings – with the use classes of B8 storage and distribution, with unit 2 being a B8 builders merchants. There will also be external works for new accesses, car parking and landscaping.
CBC told the LBO that while its investigation is ongoing, it would "not be appropriate" for the council to comment on whether any planning conditions have been breached - or what action may be taken.
The resident claimed: "The developer is still denying that they are on site, and has been denying the existence of the species throughout the whole process. They kept using the phrase 'allegedly' during last year's development management committee meetings.
"The ecologist – The Greensand Trust – has failed to find the species on site to date.
"I offered to show them the location/s of the species [in 2023], but I didn't hear back."
The resident told the LBO that they would be willing to show The Greensand Trust around the site if they wished.
A spokeswoman for Abraham Investments Limited, said: "The site has been subject to professional ecological assessment by qualified independent ecologists."
The Greensand Trust was unable to supply a comment on this occasion.
A CBC spokesman, said: "Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) takes concerns of potential planning breaches seriously.
"After receiving a report on July 7, a planning enforcement officer visited the site the following day and spoke to representatives of the developer and contractors. Works at the site have since stopped.
"We understand the concerns that have been raised. Reports of potential wildlife offences have been referred to Bedfordshire Police, who deal with wildlife crime. We will fully investigate any potential breaches of planning control."
A Bedfordshire Police spokeswoman, said: “Our Rural Crime Team have reviewed this situation and confirmed there is no requirement from a policing perspective, and there have been no crimes recorded.”