00:00Plans to build seven large houses on the eastern edge of Bristol have sparked concern among
00:08local residents and councillors who warn that the development could seriously harm protected
00:14wildlife including badgers, bats and even otters.
00:19The proposal submitted by developers Stanton Brie would see mostly four bedroom homes built
00:25on a green site known as the Willows just off of California Road in Oldland Common.
00:31It's currently home to an abandoned building but also locals say that a wide range of wildlife
00:38lives there too.
00:40One resident who's lived opposite the site for 17 years described the area as a much loved
00:45green space and said that the habitat supports everything from woodpeckers and kingfishers
00:51to slow worms, voles and deer.
00:54They say that they could go on but those homes could destroy it.
00:59Local Conservative councillor Carol Strange echoed those fears warning that the site forms part
01:05of a vital wildlife corridor stretching from Wills Bridge Mill to Jubilee Park.
01:11She said that the plan is excessive for such a small space adding that biodiversity loss
01:16would significantly impact the local community.
01:20But it's not just wildlife at risk.
01:22Residents say that nearby system brook floods regularly and worry that septic tanks could
01:27discharge treated waste into the water.
01:30But council planning officers argue that enough protections are in place.
01:35Construction would pause if the otter is seen nearby.
01:39And while two Badger's sets would be temporarily closed, others would remain undisturbed.
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