Home / Environment / Bat halt: Cheddar Gorge car park plans denied
Bat halt: Cheddar Gorge car park plans denied
14 Apr
Summary
- New car park plans at Cheddar Gorge were rejected due to bat impact.
- Somerset Council cited insufficient information on bat mitigation.
- National Trust cited verge erosion as reason for the proposal.
A proposed 20-space pay-and-display car park at the popular Black Rock Nature Reserve in Cheddar Gorge has been denied planning permission by Somerset Council. The decision comes after more than two years of consultation, with the council citing insufficient information from the National Trust on how the development would mitigate its impact on bats.
Planning officers acknowledged the proposal could bring benefits, such as removing unmanaged verge parking and reducing erosion. However, these advantages were deemed insufficient to outweigh the unresolved harms to the North Somerset and Mendip special area of conservation.
The National Trust had proposed the car park to address significant erosion issues caused by vehicles parking on verges and cliff bases. The plans also included an information board, water refill station, and cycle stands. The trust has not yet announced if it will appeal the decision.
