IN RESPONSE to last week's front page article.

I am a local resident of Cledford Lane and I am greatly concerned that Cheshire East Council are planning to convert Cledford Hall into a gipsy transit camp at a cost in excess of £3.2 million.

Not only are they planning to destroy some of our local heritage by demolishing the Grade II listed buildings, but it would appear they have a total disregard of the fact that the buildings are the habitat of several protected wildlife species, such as barn owls, bats, badgers and greater crested newts, together with a rare colony of lesser silver back water beetles in an adjacent meadow.

It seems a survey carried out on behalf of the council showed that one of the types of bat was so rare that the only other known colony in the north west was near Ellesmere Port.

Government legislation prohibits any alterations or modifications to any property which is the habitat of such protected and endangered species and disturbance however small is totally illegal.

It is punishable by large fines and imprisonment without the granting of a mitigation licence from Natural England.

If the council are aware of the presence of these species we would ask the question of why are they still seeking permission to go ahead with the proposed development while there are other sites where the presence of such protected wildlife is not evident?

In addition to the disturbance of the safety of these habitats, demolition will also cause an environmental hazard since the presence of asbestos has already been identified. (Notice of danger of asbestos is displayed on the entrance gate to the site).

The additional costs in meeting this legislation to take care of the protected species will further increase this estimated £3.2 million, monies that would have to be found by the local residents of Cheshire East and surely could be put to better use.

It could have been used for improving the poor road conditions and safety in the area of Cledford Lane – which would be damaged further by the increase of heavy vehicle traffic, should the development go ahead.

George I Beevers Middlewich