A proposed housing development in Dartington will have a devastating impact on the local ecology of the area if it goes ahead, according to an independent ecological survey commissioned by a local campaign group.

Don’t Bury Dartington Under Concrete (DBDUC), which commissioned the report by ecologist John Day, says it it reveals serious flaws in the Ecological Impact Assessment’ (EcIA) submitted by Dartington Hall Trust and Baker Estates as part of a joint planning application for 120 new homes at Broom Park and Sawmills fields.

Baker Estates says both the district and county councils and Natural England agree with its findings and are “satisfied that the surveys and reports are robust.”

Baker development director, Graham Hutton, speaking on behalf of the developer and Dartington Trust, said: “The expert bodies simply do not agree with the unevidenced claims of DBDUC.”

Mr Day undertook a survey of the ancient meadow due to be dug up to provide a basin for run off water channelled under the A385 road.

The campaign group said his findings “point to the serious underestimation of the value of the habitats there and call into question the inadequate surveys conducted over all three green field sites by the developer’s ecological consultants.”

His report claims the developer and Dartington Trust’s EcIA “seriously underestimates” the numbers of species present in the fields, and the diversity of the plants provide habitats for insects which are foraged by endangered greater horseshoe bats.

Mr Day’s report describes the developer’s mitigation by scattering wildflower seeds “genetic vandalism.”

A DBDUC spokesman said, “Natural England, and the local planning authority ecologist have asked for further surveys and, together with Dartington Parish Council, have raised serious concerns about the impact that this proposed development will have on the ecology of the area. The developers have failed to cooperate.

“It is disgraceful that the Dartington Hall Trust, an organisation that claims to be concerned about the natural environment, seems to have washed its hands of any responsibility to protect habitats that are vital to the threatened greater horseshoe bats and other wildlife locally.

“At a time of climate crisis and unprecedented species decline, it is shocking that the developers think that they can provide a sloppy and poor-quality EcIA and then, to make matters worse, suggest that to mitigate the devastating impact on irreplaceable ancient meadows by simply throwing around some wildflower seeds is in any way good enough.

“It is not acceptable for developers to operate in such a reckless way.”

Mr Hutton said:“The statement by DBDUC is entirely incorrect in stating that we have failed to respond.

“In fact it couldn’t be further from the truth.

“All additional information requested was provided and is in the public domain.

“Where we agree with DBDUC is that ecology matters should receive the full scrutiny of the district, the county and Natural England.

“For this reason we have ensured that it has been done.

“Each of these authorities concurs with our findings, are satisfied that the surveys and reports are robust and supports approval of our outline planning applications.

“The expert bodies simply do not agree with the unevidenced claims of DBDUC.

“Our applications are for outline permission which means that the principles of the development are considered and the ’bookends’ between which we should design the homes and public spaces.

“If the outlines are approved, the detailed designs would be considered later as part of a reserved matters panning application.

“As always, we would again consult with the community and key stakeholders as we work up detailed designs.

“The Baker Estates’ proposals are policy compliant which means they fully align with the allocation in the local plan and in particular will provide 30 per cent affordable housing of the type and size specified by the council.

“It is for these reasons we are hopeful that South Hams District Council will vote to approve the development in accordance with the adopted local plan.”

Decision on both planning applications are due to be made by South Hams Council’s Development Management Committee tomorrow.