Bat concerns lead to car park plan being rejected

Plans for a new car park in an area popular with tourists have been turned down because of their potential impact on bats.

In 2023 the National Trust submitted a planning application for a 20-space pay and display car park at the Black Rock Nature Reserve, at Cheddar Gorge in Somerset.

But after more than two years of consultation, Somerset Council has thrown out the plans, stating the trust provided "insufficient information" on how the impact on bats would be mitigated.

Planning officer Dean Titchener said the proposal "would bring clear benefits", but they are "outweighed" by the "insufficient evidence".

The plans included an information board, water refill station and cycle stands.

The car park would have had a one-way system, with boulders on the verge near the entrance to the cliff-top footpath to reduce the risk of further erosion, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Planning officer Dean Titchener said the proposal would "bring some clear benefits by removing unmanaged verge parking, reducing associated erosion".

"However, these benefits are outweighed by the unresolved harms," he said.

"Insufficient information has been submitted to demonstrate the proposed development would avoid adverse effects on the North Somerset and Mendip special area of conservation."

Cheddar Gorge contains a number of car parks or large lay-bys which motorists are currently not charged to use.

A spokesperson for the National Trust said: "The need for the proposal has come about due to Black Rock being an incredibly popular starting point for walkers and cyclists.

"At present, cars park on the verges and this has started to cause significant erosion to the verges, the edge of the carriageway and the base of some of the cliffs."

The trust has not yet indicated whether it intends to appeal the decision.

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