The public path that borders Three Hares has recently been resurfaced. Now Midlothian Council are planning to light it up at night, which we know would be detrimental to the wildlife here, especially moths and bats. They have a public consultation here https://midlothiancouncil.citizenspace.com/communications/path-lighting/ which closes on the 19th September.

The wording that Midlothian Council has used in the text of this link shows that they have not fully grasped the consequences of lighting this area. A concerned local has noted that :

“Numerous peer-reviewed scientific studies show that artificial lighting has a severe negative impact on wildlife, both nocturnal and diurnal, whereas the text claims that it will actually protect nature. The text also wrongly implies it will benefit dark skies. It fails to mention the instant urbanisation of one of the last truly wild places in Midlothian, which borders an ecological restoration site, ancient woodland and a nature reserve.”

We also know that the site has not been surveyed by a bat specialist, in regards to lighting here, but we do know that there are 5+ species of bat here, and that artificial lighting will impact not only their habitats but also their foraging pathways.

Please support us and send your thoughts to the Public Consultation via the ink. It literally takes 1 minute (only 2 things to click) to help protect this wild space in the midst of urban sprawl.