A campaigner against a controversial development in Wem believes an ecological survey into the land at Roden Grove was carried out at the wrong time of the year.

Dr George Nash, who also sits on Wem Town Council, has highlighted the survey, which was carried out on behalf of Berrys in June 2014, insisting it did not accurately represent the number of amphibians such as newts that are usually in the area in spring.

Dr Nash was called to the site last month to view a variety of newts in water around the development and he admitted he was concerned about the work carried out by Turnstone Ecology, on behalf of Berrys and insists a repeated survey was needed.

"A Phase 1 ecology field survey was carried out on June 16, 2014 by Turnstone Ecology on behalf of Berrys," he said.

"Please note the time of the year – June. It is unlikely that newts (Great Crested Newts (GCN) or otherwise) would be seen during this time of the year. As result of this very basic survey, the fate of any amphibian community within the boundary of the development site was already sealed.

"At the time of uploading of the ecology report onto Shropshire Council's planning portal, the Roden Grove Action Group and later reports by Wem town councillors expressed concern about the validity of the Turnstone report.

"Concern was further expressed in 2015 and 2107 when GCN and Common Newts were accidentally found along boundaries that flank the development site, within the base of the sections of hedging. Again the Roden Grove Action Group expressed concern and raised this particular issue with Shropshire Council – alas there was no response from their ecologists.

"From the same ecology report there was a claim that there were no watery areas within 150 metres of the development site; however, there were three areas actually within the development site that seasonally flooded each year.

"These sites once provided an ideal habitat for amphibians include newt communities. Moving forward to April 2019, I was called to a property that borders the Roden Grove development site. Found within garden were two species of newt – Common Newt and GCN. Clearly the ecology report did not truly reflect the presence of amphibians.

"This type of basic report appears to miss so much. What concerns me is that the fieldwork for this site was undertaken in June. During this fruitful month when birds are nesting and flora is in full bloom, most amphibians are nowhere to be seen.

"Common sense tells me that repeated visits over, say, a six to eight-month period should have been implemented ensuring that all the ecological bases are covered and that the true significance of the site was clear."

Berrys declined to comment, stating all available details of the survey were on Shropshire Council's website.