Viney's Farm: Report claims protected habitats are at risk

This latest report into Viney's Farm, a greenfield site that could see more than 800 new houses built upon it, was carried out by Darwin Ecology and commissioned by Sustainable Amesbury.

Valuable and protected species, including great crested newts, dormice, otters, wild birds, and water voles are currently found at the site, according to the report.

The Darwin study states that, if the development were to go ahead, these "high intrinsic ecological value" habitats could be at risk.

Sustainable Amesbury poster at Viney's Farm (Image: Newsquest)

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Woodhouse Developments proposed the plans for housing. A spokesperson said Sustainable Amesbury's latest report reached similar conclusions to their own.

According to Woodhouse Developments, apart from hedgerows and woodland at Viney's Farm, which will be protected, the site is "largely devoid of significant ecology".

The spokesperson added: "Our ecological surveys show that the proposals would continue to support ground-nesting birds, provide foraging opportunities for bats, hedgerow habitat for the Hairstreak butterfly and many other species."

Viney's Farm is a greenfield site currently being used to graze sheep and grow arable crops.

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The site is south of the River Avon, a Special Area of Conservation, and the report said that any future development will "almost certainly" require assessment and mitigation to avoid "negative significant impacts" on the river's integrity.

UK charity WildFish is "deeply concerned" over the potential impact and sent a letter to Wiltshire Council objecting the Viney's Farm proposal.

A WildFish spokesperson said: "Our data has flagged a gradual increase in phosphate pressure on this section of the river.

"The addition of 1,200 new homes will further exacerbate this already damaging situation."

A 'wanton act of environmental sabotage'

Amesbury campaigners say the proposed development would be reckless given the high risk of significant environmental damage not only to wildlife but also to one of the most ecologically valuable chalk streams in the country.

Sustainable Amesbury member Sophy Buckley described the proposal as a "wanton act of environmental sabotage", adding: "This is the latest independent report to show that Viney’s Farm is totally the wrong place to build more houses. 

"Building here would threaten the river, force animals out, and put them at further risk. Many are already under threat and have protected status. We can’t keep ignoring that."

Woodhouse Developments said it expects to deliver at least a "further 10 per cent biodiversity net gain" by including large areas of protected open green space in the proposed masterplan.