Bats!!!

Will bats prevent NA800584 going ahead?

Joking apart, the presence of a protected species can be a nightmare for a developer as the animal's habitat is legally protected. All species of bat are listed as protected species in Ireland. http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4990,en.pdf

Bats are seen on the estate in the summer, and there may be a colony resident in the fields (currently in hibernation).

I think the best way to handle this is to point out the probable existence of a bat population that was not picked up in the (rather cursory) environmental survey of the area. An objector can point out that a procedure exists to call in the EPA if a protected species is threatened by destruction of its habitat. Such an event would be a catastrophe for a developer who would have to halt work while the EPA investigated.

Since the first step is to inform the organization involved, perhaps the Residents' Association might get a letter off to McAleer & Laverty straightaway? I presume the objections themselves would constitute informing the local authority.

The objector could request a proper survey of the area. You do not need to know DEFINITELY that there are bats living in the field in order to lodge an objection. Merely, point out the probability and the effect it could have on the development.... particularly if you include the names of organisations you intend to invite to check the area.

Scroll down on the right to the "Heritage" entry to find the address of Bat Conservation Ireland, based in Dunshaughlin, or click on: http://thetrimroadblog.blogspot.com/2008/03/heritage.html

There may be other possible objections to destroying the old laneway on the Trim side of the estate, but the law in this area is not as definite. I doubt if the lane is a national monument.