A planning application has been made by the National Trust and Exmoor National Park to build a camping bothy for overnight accommodation at the present lookout building. I have a number of concerns about this. Hurlstone Point is part of western maritime heath, a rare and fragile habitat of international importance, and designated SSSI and SAC. Several very scarce breeding species of birds occur nearby. It is also a know migration spot for unusual birds. In addition several rare plant species occur in the immediate vicinity such as Spergularia rupicola - Rock Spurrey, one of only a couple of sites in West Somerset. Several rare and unusual moths have been recorded here. Bats use the area for foraging.

All of this makes any increased human visual presence most unwelcome, with the potential for increased noise, disturbance, and incidence of pollution from rubbish and waste. In addition because of its location there must be health and safety concerns and an increased fire risk with no access for emergency services.

If you agree I would urge you to raise a comment using the Exmoor National Park website under Planning. The application can be found under 6/29/19/108, and comments can be left by scrolling down to the bottom of the page, the deadline is 26 August. It really can make a difference - the Porlock Marsh application was amended because of comments received to putting up notice boards only.

Thank you.