Appendix J: Ecology Risks & opportunities

Protected sites Feature habitat & Importance: Related Policies & Sensitivity to Water resources (water associated Distribution International, Flood risk management Waste water treatment Sewer capacity Development footprint (direct) Risk Opportunities Legislation WCS hazards abstraction) species Site name European, National, Local * Existing public water supply from Increased rates & volumes of run-off will be 9 WwTWs (, Clifton, , New sewer from to groundwater, except Clapham attenuated within development areas except: , , Marston Moritaine, Poppyhill, Bedford WwTW instead of new supplied from . - North of Fields Road, Wootton (creation of , Sandy) are most likely to be affected by WwTW in the vicinity of Additional resource from Grafham offsite Van Dieman’s Land lake & watercourse the proposed growth. Increases in wastewater & Marston Moretaine. water as needed. improvement) discharges has the potential to increase river - (Watercourse improvements & channel flows & levels. Minor sewer network & No new abstractions proposed; diversions) recommendations for pipe existing licences will be used - Land off Road (In-channel storage However, waste water discharges will still meet improvements & new pipes not supplemented from . upstream of Cardington Cross & compensation consented water quality standards - therefore considered during this within river corridor for land raising in floodplain) no decrease in water quality. assessment as these will be reservoir consent is - Harwick (use of Kempston Harwick considered at a local level by dormant but will be used to support Pits for flood attenuation) There are problems with accommodating . increased demand. - Land North of Wixams beside B530 (use of additional flows at Marston Mortaine WwTW as

Context South Lakes for flood attenuation) a result of the proposed Marston Vale Marston Vale: Preliminary Water Development. Options include: replacement of Cycle Strategy (2008) suggests Marston Vale: Preliminary Water Cycle Strategy Stewartby WwTW, construction of a new abstraction of non-potable water (2008) suggested use of lakes within footprint of WwTW in vicinity of Marston Moretaine & from lakes within footprint of Eco- Eco-town for flood alleviation purposes. Stewartby, or upgrade Bedford WwTW & town. construct new sewer. Information on flood alleviation options for key service centres, some development areas & effect of releasing water from long term storage not available for this assessment.

Standing open Gravel pits along River N UK BAP habitat; LBAP Change in Increased abstraction from Pulloxhill Floods that have the potential to displace small fish Waste water from Marston Moretaine WwTW The route of proposed Sewer Open water habitats within the Water resources Flood risk management: water - lakes & Great Ouse, Elstow habitat hydrology e.g. Reservoir likely to lower water levels. downstream, especially where there is little refuge & discharges to Marston Brook, which flows from Marston Vale to Bedford footprint of the East , Broom, Increased abstraction has the potential to Flood attenuation as part of the proposed margins habitat Brook & . reduction in However, this abstraction is shelter for fish to escape the flows. almost immediately into Stewartby Lake. The WwTW was not known at the time Wixham & development lower water levels, creating a risk to fish, development areas has the potential to provide Scattered distribution of ground water & consented by the Environment lake is a designated Cyprinid Fishery under the of this ecological risk assessment areas. Potential risk of direct habitat aquatic invertebrates and plants, loss of habitat creation opportunities, including ponds, other lakes within study surface levels Agency, & is therefore not considered Flooding along Ouse Valley displaces fish, including Freshwater Fish Directive, but is known to although the approximate footprint loss & resulting impacts to associated locally important and UK BAP Priority lakes, wet woodland, ditches, wet grassland, and area. from to be a risk to the water & wetland large carp, from gravel pits into the main river. Carp suffer from algal blooms. Any change in water does run in close proximity to species such as breeding bird & marginal habitats such as marshy reedbeds. abstraction features within the reservoir. mayout-compete the natural riverine species. quality, may pose a risk of increased algal locally important water bodies waterbird assemblages, wintering grassland and reedbed habitat. Fish Stewartby Lake is a Barford Gravel Pit CWS; Lake I / N Bern Convention; activities. blooms & associated risks for aquatic species (Stewartby Lake & Priory Country waterbird species, & fish. Bank vole Depending on flooding extent, duration, and designated Cyprinid CWS; LNR; Coronation Pit Habitats Directive; Decrease in Increased abstraction from Marston Utilising Elstow South Lakes, Marston Pit, & their predators. Park lakes) creating a potential population in Broom Lake. Flood risk management: frequency there may be habitat creation Fishery under the CWS; Gravel Pits SSSI; Great Priority UK BAP Species water quality Pit, Brogborough Lake, Kempston Brogborough Lake, Pits, risk of habitat loss. opportunities at Kempston Pits and Elstow Pits Freshwater Fish Directive Barford Gravel Pit CWS; Harrold Country (eel & spined loach e.g. if link Hardwick Pits, Stewartby Lake & Stewartby Lake & Coronation Pit for flood Open water habitat within the footprint Floods have the potential to displace which are proposed to be used for flood alleviation. (pike, trout, eel, chub, Park CWS; Pit CWS; Radwell Pits only); LBAP (spined Coronation Pit has the potential to attenuation would lead to the increased flooding of of the proposed Eco town at Maston small fish downstream, especially where perch, roach, tench) CWS; Poppyhill Pits CWS; Southill Lake; loach) exists between river & lake lower water levels, creating a risk to these waterbodies. Increased flooding has the Vale includes Brogborough Lake, there is little refuge and shelter for fish to Waste water treatment: Stewartby Lake CWS; Stockgrove Country fish (such as trout in Stewartby Lake), potential to impact associated bird species on the Marston Pit, Stewartby Lake, escape the flows. Improvements in water quality could improve Harold County Park Park CWS; Wrest Park CWS; Pits during a flood event. aquatic invertebrates & plants. margins of the water should the flood event coincide Kempston Harwich Pit, Hanson Lake, numbers and distribution of species (WFD CWS (pike, carp, bream, CWS with the breeding season, & there is a risk of loss of & Coronation Pit. This creates a Flooding along the Ouse Valley displaces requirements will set more stringent water quality roach, tench, perch) Physical loss of habitat e.g. marginal habitats. potential risk of direct habitat loss & fish, inc large carp, from gravel pits standards). from resulting impacts to associated adjacent to the Bedford Ouse into the Radwell & species such as breeding bird & main river. The loss of carp into running Development footprint: Complex (carp, bream, development footprint. waterbird assemblages, wintering water is of particular concern, where they Open water and grazing marsh habitats are tench, perch) waterbird species, & fish. have the ability to out-compete the natural located within the footprints of the East Ampthill, Disturbance to riverine species. Broom, Wixham, Henlow, Bromham, east of fauna e.g bird Kempston, Biggleswade, Sandy and the Eco-town populations. Utilising Elstow South Lakes, Marston Pit, development areas. Careful design of Brogborough Lake, Kempston Hardwick the development areas and the management of Flora (whorled SSSI R UK BAP species Pits, Stewartby Lake and Coronation Pit water could be used to

water milfoil) for flood attenuation would lead to the increase the quality and extent of these habitats. Standing open Standing margins & lakes - water Birds Brogborough Lake CWS; Coronation Pit N / R / L Wildlife & Countryside increased flooding of these waterbodies, CWS; Felmersham Gravel pits SSSI; Flitwick Act 1981 (as amended); potentially impacting associated bird Moor CWS; Brook Pits CWS; Elstow Priority UK BAP species species on the margins of the water pit CWS; CWS; South Mills Pits (reed bunting & should the flood event coincide with the CWS;Stewartby Lake CWS; Warren Villas lapwing); IUCN Red List breeding season, and marginal habitats. CWS; Wrest park Grounds CWS; Great species (reed bunting Barford Gravel Pits CWS; Cityfield Farm Pits only); IUCN Amber List Sewer capacity: CWS; Stewartby Lakes CWS; Zwetsloots Pits (mute swan, pochard, Risk of habitat loss. CWS; Marsh Vale County Park. water rail, willow warbler, bearded tit, Development footprint: lapwing) Risk of habitat loss, and associated species e.g. breeding breeding bird and waterbird assemblages, wintering waterbird species, and fish. Protected sites Feature habitat & Importance: Related Policies & Sensitivity to Water resources (water associated Distribution International, Flood risk management Waste water treatment Sewer capacity Development footprint (direct) Risk Opportunities Legislation WCS hazards abstraction) species Site name European, National, Local * Existing public water supply from Increased rates & volumes of run-off will be 9 WwTWs (Biggleswade, Clifton, Bedford, New sewer from Marston Vale to groundwater, except Clapham attenuated within development areas except: Clophill, Flitwick, Marston Moritaine, Poppyhill, Bedford WwTW instead of new supplied from River Great Ouse. - North of Fields Road, Wootton (creation of Potton, Sandy) are most likely to be affected by WwTW in the vicinity of Stewartby Additional resource from Grafham offsite Van Dieman’s Land lake & watercourse the proposed growth. Increases in wastewater & Marston Moretaine. water as needed. improvement) discharges has the potential to increase river - Wixams (Watercourse improvements & channel flows & levels. Minor sewer network & No new abstractions proposed; diversions) recommendations for pipe existing licences will be used - Land off Cambridge Road (In-channel storage However, waste water discharges will still meet improvements & new pipes not supplemented from Grafham Water. upstream of Cardington Cross & compensation consented water quality standards - therefore considered during this within river corridor for land raising in floodplain) no decrease in water quality. assessment as these will be Pulloxhill reservoir consent is - Kempston Harwick (use of Kempston Harwick considered at a local level by dormant but will be used to support Pits for flood attenuation) There are problems with accommodating Anglian Water. increased demand. - Land North of Wixams beside B530 (use of additional flows at Marston Mortaine WwTW as

Context Elstow South Lakes for flood attenuation) a result of the proposed Marston Vale Marston Vale: Preliminary Water Development. Options include: replacement of Cycle Strategy (2008) suggests Marston Vale: Preliminary Water Cycle Strategy Stewartby WwTW, construction of a new abstraction of non-potable water (2008) suggested use of lakes within footprint of WwTW in vicinity of Marston Moretaine & from lakes within footprint of Eco- Eco-town for flood alleviation purposes. Stewartby, or upgrade Bedford WwTW & town. construct new sewer. Information on flood alleviation options for key service centres, some development areas & effect of releasing water from long term storage not available for this assessment.

Rivers & Streams River Great Ouse; Meadows CWS; Biggleswade N Priority UK BAP habitat Change in TheIncreased River Flit,abstraction River Ivel from & Bedford Pulloxhill WatercourseFloods that have improvements the potential & toin-channel displace smallstorage fish FourWaste WwTW water from(Potton, Marston Flitwick, Moretaine Clifton &WwTW Sandy) The route of proposed Sewer RiverOpen Greatwater Ousehabitats runs within through the FloodWater riskresources management: Flood risk management: habitat Brook / Common CWS; Buckle Grove CWS; Flit (Rivers); LBAP habitat channelhydrology e.g. OuseReservoir are classifiedlikely to lower by the water levels. (likelydownstream, to require especially widening) where have there the potential is little refuge to & havedischarges been identifiedto Marston as Brook, having which capacity flows within from Marston Vale to Bedford Bromhamfootprint of & the West East of Ampthill, Kempston Broom, WatercourseIncreased abstraction improvements has the & potentialin-channel to ThereFlood attenuationmay be localised as part river of the restoration proposed Riseley Brook; Sharn Valley CWS; Harrold lake CWS; Henlow Park morphologyreduction in EnvironmentHowever, this Agency abstraction as “no is water causeshelter loss for fishof river to escape & bankside the flows. habitats. Associated theiralmost current immediately consented into waterStewartby quality Lake. standards The WwTW was not known at the time developmentWixham & Henlow areas. development Risk of habitat storagelower water may levels, lead to creating loss of rivera risk & to fish, opportunitiesdevelopment withinareas thehas development the potential toareas provide such Brook; Kimbolton Wood CWS; Kings Wood & Glebe Meadows, e.g.ground erosion water from & available”consented (Upper by the EnvironmentOuse & Bedford fish, invertebrates & water voles may also be at risk. &lake discharge is a designated volumes Cyprinid accommodate Fishery demandunder the of this ecological risk assessment lossareas. & subsequentPotential risk risks of direct to otter habitat banksideaquatic invertebrates habitats & associated and plants, fish, loss of ashabitat at Wootton, creation Land opportunities, off Cambridge including Road ponds, & the headwaters; River Ivel / SSSI; King's Wood, additionalsurface levels flows, OuseAgency, CAMS), & is therefore but there not are considered no Flooding along Ouse Valley displaces fish, including fromFreshwater proposed Fish development. Directive, but Therefore, is known to it is although the approximate footprint population.loss & resulting Potton impacts development to associated areas invertebrateslocally important & water and UKvoles. BAP Priority Wixamslakes, wet development woodland, ditches, areas. Watercourseswet grassland, may and Hiz / Purwell; River Ivel Houghton Conquest CWS; Mill Rise, Turvey floodfrom defence indicationsto be a risk thatto the the water development & wetland will Iflarge increased carp, from flooding gravel of thepits Riverinto the Great main Ouse river. occurs Carp consideredsuffer from algalthat there blooms. will notAny be change a decrease in water in does run in close proximity to the alongspecies Millbridge/Common such as breeding birdBrooks & & marginal habitats such as marshy benefitreedbeds. from removal of flood & navigational Navigation / Hit / CWS; Millbrook CWS; Millbrook Warren structures.abstraction requirefeatures additional within the abstraction reservoir. from frommayout-compete releasing water the fromnatural long riverine term storage,species. there waterquality, quality may posecompared a risk withof increased current water algal Riverlocally Great important Ouse water creating bodies a subsequentwaterbird assemblages, risk to water winteringvole Floodsgrassland have and the reedbed potential habitat. to displace structures, to return rivers to more natural flows, Flit;Elstoe Brook; CWS; Moors Plantation CWS; River Flit CWS; Decreaseactivities. in them. is a risk that flooding along the Ouse Valley may quality.blooms & associated risks for aquatic species potential(Stewartby risk Lake of habitat & Priory loss. Country population.waterbird species, The risk & offish. habitat Bank loss vole & small fish downstream, especially where alsoDepending allowing on unrestricted flooding extent, passage duration, for fish and & otters. ; Stone River Great Ouse CWS; River Ivel & Hiz waterDecrease quality in Increased abstraction from Marston displaceUtilising Elstowfish, including South Lakes, large carp,Marston from Pit, gravel pits & their predators. Park lakes) creating a potential riskspopulation to otter in &Broom water Lake.vole populations thereFlood isrisk little management: refuge & shelter for fish to frequency there may be habitat creation Brook; Millbridge / CWS; Sandy Disused Railway CWS; Sandy e.g.water nutrient quality Pit, Brogborough Lake, Kempston intoBrogborough the main river.Lake, Kempston Hardwick Pits, Five WwTW have been identified as needing to risk of habitat loss. would be dependent on whether any escape the flows. Wasteopportunities water treatment:at Kempston Pits and Elstow Pits Common Brooks; Meadow CWS; Marsh SSSI; enrichment,e.g. if link Hardwick Pits, Stewartby Lake & Stewartby Lake & Coronation Pit for flood increase their consented water discharge channel/bankworksOpen water habitat withintake place the footprint as part Floods have the potential to displace Thewhich WFD are proposedwill impose to tighter be used constraints for flood alleviation.on the Broughton Brook; SSSI; changeexists between in water Coronation Pit has the potential to attenuation would lead to the increased flooding of volumes in response to the demand from of the proposed developments.Eco town at Maston Floodingsmall fish along downstream, Ouse Valley especially displaces where discharge of ammonia & phosphate, resulting in Brook/Flit; meadows CWS; Langford Common CWS; riverchemistry, & lake lower water levels, creating a risk to these waterbodies. Increased flooding has the increased development. They are Bedford, Vale includes Brogborough Lake, fish,there including is little refuge large andcarp, shelter from gravel for fish pits to improvedWaste water receiving treatment: water quality. This will help to Henlow Brook; Ivel; Pix Old Warren Disused Railway CWS; South duringcontamination. a flood fish (such as trout in Stewartby Lake), potential to impact associated bird species on the Biggleswade, Clophill, Marston Moretaine & Marston Pit, Stewartby Lake, intoescape the mainthe flows. river. Carp mayout-compete achieveImprovements the WFD in waterobjective quality of goodcould ecological improve Brook; Compton Brook; Mills Pits CWS; Warren Villas CWS; event.Change in aquatic invertebrates & plants. margins of the water should the flood event coincide Poppyhill. These increases in discharge Kempston Harwich Pit, Hanson Lake, the natural riverine species. statusnumbers (via and improved distribution chemical of species status) (WFD by 2015. Henxton brook; Barton Zwetsloots Pits CWS; Bromham Park CWS; Physicalhydrology loss e.g. of with the breeding season, & there is a risk of loss of volumes without improvements in water quality & Coronation Pit. This creates a Flooding along the Ouse Valley displaces requirements will set more stringent water quality Brook; New Inn Brook; Bromham Water Meadows CWS; habitatreduction e.g. in marginal habitats. have the potential to effect water quality in the potential risk of direct habitat loss & Sewerfish, inc capacity: large carp, from gravel pits Thestandards). increase in discharges from WwTW into the Flit. Felmersham Marsh Meadow CWS; Fenlake fromsurface or receiving watercourses through increased resulting impacts to associated Potentialadjacent torisk the of Bedfordhabitat loss. Ouse into the River Ivel, River Flit & River Great Ouse has the Meadow CWS; Harrold Country Park CWS; developmentground water eutrophication. A decrease in water quality may species such as breeding bird & main river. The loss of carp into running potentialDevelopment to increase footprint: summer flows levels (Upper CWS; Priory Country Park footprint.levels. be a risk to sensitive species such as bullhead waterbird assemblages, wintering Developmentwater is of particular footprint: concern, where they OuseOpen &water Bedford and grazingOuse CAMS). marsh habitats are waterbird species, & fish. have the ability to out-compete the natural located within the footprints of the East Ampthill, CWS; Stevington Meadow CWS; Wyboston DisturbancePhysical loss to of & spined loach, white-clawed crayfish, & Risk of habitat loss & subsequent risks to riverine species. Broom, Wixham, Henlow, Bromham, east of Pits CWS; CWS; Lower Alders faunahabitat e.g e.g. bird from salmonid species (brown trout/sea trout). associated species e.g. otter & water vole Kempston, Biggleswade, Sandy and the Eco-town CWS; Upper Alders CWS. populations.development populations. footprint Utilising Elstow South Lakes, Marston Pit, development areas. Careful design of Brogborough Lake, Kempston Hardwick the development areas and the management of Pits, Stewartby Lake and Coronation Pit water could be used to

for flood attenuation would lead to the increase the quality and extent of these habitats. Standing open Standing margins & lakes - water Mammals Otter: River Great Ouse Warren Villas CWS I Bern Convention; increased flooding of these waterbodies, & Backwater; River Habitats Directive; potentially impacting associated bird Ivel/Hiz/Purwell; Marston Wildlife & Countryside species on the margins of the water Brook; Elstow Brook; Act 1981 (as amended); should the flood event coincide with the River Ivel Priority UK BAP breeding season, and marginal habitats. Navigation/Hit/Flit; River Species; LBAP Species Flit/Fancott Brook; Sewer capacity: Millbridge/Common Risk of habitat loss. Brooks Development footprint: Water Shrew: Individual N Wildlife & Countryside Risk of habitat loss, and associated records along River Act 1981 (as amended) species e.g. breeding breeding bird Great Ouse; Elstow and waterbird assemblages, Brook; River wintering waterbird species, and fish. Ivel/Hiz/Purwell; River Ivel Navigation/Hit/Flit; Fancott Brook/Flit Water vole: main Duck End Marshy Grassland CWS; Rivers N Bern Convention; records along River Ivel & Hiz CWS Habitats Directive; Ivel/Hiz/Purwell Wildlife & Countryside (Biggleswade to north Act 1981 (as amended); past Sandy); Priority UK BAP Millbridge/Common Species; LBAP Species Brook (Biggleswade to Gemplingay. Individual records: near ; River Great Ouse near

Rivers & Streams & Rivers Willington & ; Near Ampthill; River Ivel near Arsely; River Ivel/Hiz near Hadwell; Sutton Brook; Elstow Brook.

Fish Bedford Ouse: Moor CWS; Fltiwick Moor CWS; River I / R / L Bern Convention; dominant cyprinid Flit CWS; River Great Ouse CWS; Rivers Ivel Habitats Directive; species such as roach, & Hiz CWS Priority UK BAP Species common bream, silver (sea trout, eel and bream, perch, tench & spined loach only); bleak. In addition, spined LBAO species (spined loach & bullhead occur loach only) in the Ouse.

Invertebrates Scarce Chaser R Listed under category 3 dragonfly: River Great (scarce) in the British Ouse at Roxton Red Data Book on Insects Change in The River Flit, River Ivel & Bedford Watercourse improvements & in-channel storage Four WwTW (Potton, Flitwick, Clifton & Sandy) The route of proposed Sewer River Great Ouse runs through Flood risk management: Flood risk management: channel Ouse are classified by the (likely to require widening) have the potential to have been identified as having capacity within from Marston Vale to Bedford Bromham & West of Kempston Watercourse improvements & in-channel There may be localised river restoration morphology Environment Agency as “no water cause loss of river & bankside habitats. Associated their current consented water quality standards WwTW was not known at the time development areas. Risk of habitat storage may lead to loss of river & opportunities within the development areas such e.g. erosion from available” (Upper Ouse & Bedford fish, invertebrates & water voles may also be at risk. & discharge volumes accommodate demand of this ecological risk assessment loss & subsequent risks to otter bankside habitats & associated fish, as at Wootton, Land off Cambridge Road & the additional flows, Ouse CAMS), but there are no from proposed development. Therefore, it is although the approximate footprint population. Potton development areas invertebrates & water voles. Wixams development areas. Watercourses may flood defence indications that the development will If increased flooding of the River Great Ouse occurs considered that there will not be a decrease in does run in close proximity to the along Millbridge/Common Brooks & benefit from removal of flood & navigational structures. require additional abstraction from from releasing water from long term storage, there water quality compared with current water River Great Ouse creating a subsequent risk to water vole Floods have the potential to displace structures, to return rivers to more natural flows, Decrease in them. is a risk that flooding along the Ouse Valley may quality. potential risk of habitat loss. population. The risk of habitat loss & small fish downstream, especially where also allowing unrestricted passage for fish & otters. water quality displace fish, including large carp, from gravel pits risks to otter & water vole populations there is little refuge & shelter for fish to e.g. nutrient into the main river. Five WwTW have been identified as needing to would be dependent on whether any escape the flows. Waste water treatment: enrichment, increase their consented water discharge channel/bankworks take place as part The WFD will impose tighter constraints on the change in water volumes in response to the demand from of the proposed developments. Flooding along Ouse Valley displaces discharge of ammonia & phosphate, resulting in chemistry, increased development. They are Bedford, fish, including large carp, from gravel pits improved receiving water quality. This will help to contamination. Biggleswade, Clophill, Marston Moretaine & into the main river. Carp mayout-compete achieve the WFD objective of good ecological Change in Poppyhill. These increases in discharge the natural riverine species. status (via improved chemical status) by 2015. hydrology e.g. volumes without improvements in water quality reduction in have the potential to effect water quality in the Sewer capacity: The increase in discharges from WwTW into the surface or receiving watercourses through increased Potential risk of habitat loss. River Ivel, River Flit & River Great Ouse has the ground water eutrophication. A decrease in water quality may potential to increase summer flows levels (Upper levels. be a risk to sensitive species such as bullhead Development footprint: Ouse & Bedford Ouse CAMS). Physical loss of & spined loach, white-clawed crayfish, & Risk of habitat loss & subsequent risks to habitat e.g. from salmonid species (brown trout/sea trout). associated species e.g. otter & water vole development populations. footprint

Protected sites Feature habitat & Importance: Related Policies & Sensitivity to Water resources (water associated Distribution International, Flood risk management Waste water treatment Sewer capacity Development footprint (direct) Risk Opportunities Legislation WCS hazards abstraction) species Site name European, National, Local * Existing public water supply from Increased rates & volumes of run-off will be 9 WwTWs (Biggleswade, Clifton, Bedford, New sewer from Marston Vale to groundwater, except Clapham attenuated within development areas except: Clophill, Flitwick, Marston Moritaine, Poppyhill, Bedford WwTW instead of new supplied from River Great Ouse. - North of Fields Road, Wootton (creation of Potton, Sandy) are most likely to be affected by WwTW in the vicinity of Stewartby Rivers & Streams & Rivers Additional resource from Grafham offsite Van Dieman’s Land lake & watercourse the proposed growth. Increases in wastewater & Marston Moretaine. water as needed. improvement) discharges has the potential to increase river - Wixams (Watercourse improvements & channel flows & levels. Minor sewer network & No new abstractions proposed; diversions) recommendations for pipe existing licences will be used - Land off Cambridge Road (In-channel storage However, waste water discharges will still meet improvements & new pipes not supplemented from Grafham Water. upstream of Cardington Cross & compensation consented water quality standards - therefore considered during this within river corridor for land raising in floodplain) no decrease in water quality. assessment as these will be Pulloxhill reservoir consent is - Kempston Harwick (use of Kempston Harwick considered at a local level by dormant but will be used to support Pits for flood attenuation) There are problems with accommodating Anglian Water. increased demand. - Land North of Wixams beside B530 (use of additional flows at Marston Mortaine WwTW as

Context Elstow South Lakes for flood attenuation) a result of the proposed Marston Vale Marston Vale: Preliminary Water Development. Options include: replacement of Cycle Strategy (2008) suggests Marston Vale: Preliminary Water Cycle Strategy Stewartby WwTW, construction of a new abstraction of non-potable water (2008) suggested use of lakes within footprint of WwTW in vicinity of Marston Moretaine & from lakes within footprint of Eco- Eco-town for flood alleviation purposes. Stewartby, or upgrade Bedford WwTW & town. construct new sewer. Information on flood alleviation options for key service centres, some development areas & effect Invertebrates of releasing water from long term storage not available for this assessment.

White-clawed crayfish: River Ivel and Hiz CWS I Bern Convention; Change in Increased abstraction from Pulloxhill Floods that have the potential to displace small fish Waste water from Marston Moretaine WwTW The route of proposed Sewer Open water habitats within the Water resources Flood risk management: Individual records along Habitats Directive; hydrology e.g. Reservoir likely to lower water levels. downstream, especially where there is little refuge & discharges to Marston Brook, which flows from Marston Vale to Bedford footprint of the East Ampthill, Broom, Increased abstraction has the potential to Flood attenuation as part of the proposed River Ivel Navigation / Hit Wildlife and reduction in However, this abstraction is shelter for fish to escape the flows. almost immediately into Stewartby Lake. The WwTW was not known at the time Wixham & Henlow development lower water levels, creating a risk to fish, development areas has the potential to provide / Flit / Henlow Brook at Countryside Act 1981 ground water & consented by the Environment lake is a designated Cyprinid Fishery under the of this ecological risk assessment areas. Potential risk of direct habitat aquatic invertebrates and plants, loss of habitat creation opportunities, including ponds, Clifton; Hexton Brook at (as amended); Priority surface levels Agency, & is therefore not considered Flooding along Ouse Valley displaces fish, including Freshwater Fish Directive, but is known to although the approximate footprint loss & resulting impacts to associated locally important and UK BAP Priority lakes, wet woodland, ditches, wet grassland, and Shillington UK BAP Species (white from to be a risk to the water & wetland large carp, from gravel pits into the main river. Carp suffer from algal blooms. Any change in water does run in close proximity to species such as breeding bird & marginal habitats such as marshy reedbeds. clawed crayfish) abstraction features within the reservoir. mayout-compete the natural riverine species. quality, may pose a risk of increased algal locally important water bodies waterbird assemblages, wintering grassland and reedbed habitat. activities. blooms & associated risks for aquatic species (Stewartby Lake & Priory Country waterbird species, & fish. Bank vole Depending on flooding extent, duration, and Decrease in Increased abstraction from Marston Utilising Elstow South Lakes, Marston Pit, & their predators. Park lakes) creating a potential population in Broom Lake. Flood risk management: frequency there may be habitat creation Birds Biggleswade Common CWS; Great and Little N / R / L Wildlife and water quality Pit, Brogborough Lake, Kempston Brogborough Lake, Kempston Hardwick Pits, risk of habitat loss. opportunities at Kempston Pits and Elstow Pits Early groves CWS; King's Wood, Houghton Countryside Act 1981 e.g. if link Hardwick Pits, Stewartby Lake & Stewartby Lake & Coronation Pit for flood Open water habitat within the footprint Floods have the potential to displace which are proposed to be used for flood alleviation. Conquest CWS; River Flit CWS; River Great (as amended); UK BAP exists between Coronation Pit has the potential to attenuation would lead to the increased flooding of of the proposed Eco town at Maston small fish downstream, especially where Ouse CWS; Rivers Ivel and Hiz CWS; South Priority species (reed river & lake lower water levels, creating a risk to these waterbodies. Increased flooding has the Vale includes Brogborough Lake, there is little refuge and shelter for fish to Waste water treatment: Mills Pits CWS; Warren Villas CWS; bunting only); IUCN during a flood fish (such as trout in Stewartby Lake), potential to impact associated bird species on the Marston Pit, Stewartby Lake, escape the flows. Improvements in water quality could improve Zwetsloots Pits CWS Red List species (reed event. aquatic invertebrates & plants. margins of the water should the flood event coincide Kempston Harwich Pit, Hanson Lake, numbers and distribution of species (WFD bunting only); IUCN Physical loss of with the breeding season, & there is a risk of loss of & Coronation Pit. This creates a Flooding along the Ouse Valley displaces requirements will set more stringent water quality Amber List (mute swan, habitat e.g. marginal habitats. potential risk of direct habitat loss & fish, inc large carp, from gravel pits standards). pochard, redshank, from resulting impacts to associated adjacent to the Bedford Ouse into the lesser black-backed development species such as breeding bird & main river. The loss of carp into running Development footprint: gull, lapwing) footprint. waterbird assemblages, wintering water is of particular concern, where they Open water and grazing marsh habitats are waterbird species, & fish. have the ability to out-compete the natural located within the footprints of the East Ampthill, Disturbance to riverine species. Broom, Wixham, Henlow, Bromham, east of fauna e.g bird Kempston, Biggleswade, Sandy and the Eco-town populations. Utilising Elstow South Lakes, Marston Pit, development areas. Careful design of Flora (Black River Flit CWS; Flit Valley CWS; River Great R Brogborough Lake, Kempston Hardwick the development areas and the management of poplar, tasteless Ouse CWS Pits, Stewartby Lake and Coronation Pit water could be used to

water pepper) for flood attenuation would lead to the increase the quality and extent of these habitats. Standing open Standing margins & lakes - water increased flooding of these waterbodies, potentially impacting associated bird species on the margins of the water should the flood event coincide with the breeding season, and marginal habitats.

Sewer capacity: Risk of habitat loss.

Development footprint: Risk of habitat loss, and associated species e.g. breeding breeding bird and waterbird assemblages, wintering waterbird species, and fish. Protected sites Feature habitat & Importance: Related Policies & Sensitivity to Water resources (water associated Distribution International, Flood risk management Waste water treatment Sewer capacity Development footprint (direct) Risk Opportunities Legislation WCS hazards abstraction) species Site name European, National, Local * Existing public water supply from Increased rates & volumes of run-off will be 9 WwTWs (Biggleswade, Clifton, Bedford, New sewer from Marston Vale to groundwater, except Clapham attenuated within development areas except: Clophill, Flitwick, Marston Moritaine, Poppyhill, Bedford WwTW instead of new supplied from River Great Ouse. - North of Fields Road, Wootton (creation of Potton, Sandy) are most likely to be affected by WwTW in the vicinity of Stewartby Additional resource from Grafham offsite Van Dieman’s Land lake & watercourse the proposed growth. Increases in wastewater & Marston Moretaine. water as needed. improvement) discharges has the potential to increase river - Wixams (Watercourse improvements & channel flows & levels. Minor sewer network & No new abstractions proposed; diversions) recommendations for pipe existing licences will be used - Land off Cambridge Road (In-channel storage However, waste water discharges will still meet improvements & new pipes not supplemented from Grafham Water. upstream of Cardington Cross & compensation consented water quality standards - therefore considered during this within river corridor for land raising in floodplain) no decrease in water quality. assessment as these will be Pulloxhill reservoir consent is - Kempston Harwick (use of Kempston Harwick considered at a local level by dormant but will be used to support Pits for flood attenuation) There are problems with accommodating Anglian Water. increased demand. - Land North of Wixams beside B530 (use of additional flows at Marston Mortaine WwTW as

Context Elstow South Lakes for flood attenuation) a result of the proposed Marston Vale Marston Vale: Preliminary Water Development. Options include: replacement of Cycle Strategy (2008) suggests Marston Vale: Preliminary Water Cycle Strategy Stewartby WwTW, construction of a new abstraction of non-potable water (2008) suggested use of lakes within footprint of WwTW in vicinity of Marston Moretaine & from lakes within footprint of Eco- Eco-town for flood alleviation purposes. Stewartby, or upgrade Bedford WwTW & town. construct new sewer. Information on flood alleviation options for key service centres, some development areas & effect of releasing water from long term storage not available for this assessment.

Wet Woodland Scattered distribution. Upper Alders CWS; Buckle Grove CWS N Priority UK BAP habitat; Change in AbstractionIncreased abstraction licences are from closely Pulloxhill HabitatFloods thatnot presenthave the within potential vicinity to displaceof the proposed small fish IncreaseWaste water in flows from from Marston increased Moretaine development WwTW NotThe locatedroute of within proposed sewer Sewer footprint. NotOpen located water withinhabitats the within footprint the of any NoWater residual resources risks identififed Flood risk management: habitat Individual areas located LBAP habitat hydrology e.g. monitoredReservoir likelyby the to Environment lower water levels. worksdownstream, or watercourse especially where there is little refuge & anddischarges subsequent to Marston increase Brook, in River which Flit flows and New from Marston Vale to Bedford proposedfootprint of development the East Ampthill, areas Broom, Increased abstraction has the potential to Flood attenuation as part of the proposed along rivers include River reduction in in AgencyHowever, and this any abstraction increased is demands shelter for fish to escape the flows. Innalmost Brook immediately flows not likelyinto Stewartby to change Lake. hydrology The WwTW was not known at the time Wixham & Henlow development lower water levels, creating a risk to fish, development areas has the potential to provide Flit @ Shefford and New surface,ground waterflood or & onconsented water abstraction by the Environment from increased oflake wet is woodlanda designated habitat. Cyprinid Fishery under the of this ecological risk assessment areas. Potential risk of direct habitat aquatic invertebrates and plants, loss of habitat creation opportunities, including ponds, Inn Brook at groundsurface water levels developmentAgency, & is therefore will be managed not considered to Flooding along Ouse Valley displaces fish, including Freshwater Fish Directive, but is known to although the approximate footprint loss & resulting impacts to associated locally important and UK BAP Priority lakes, wet woodland, ditches, wet grassland, and levels.from ensureto be a riskthe presentto the water river &or wetland ground large carp, from gravel pits into the main river. Carp suffer from algal blooms. Any change in water does run in close proximity to species such as breeding bird & marginal habitats such as marshy reedbedsreedbeds. Decreaseabstraction in waterfeatures levels within will the not reservoir. worsen from the mayout-compete the natural riverine species. quality, may pose a risk of increased algal locally important water bodies waterbird assemblages, wintering grassland and reedbed habitat. wateractivities. quality present situation. Water levels are blooms & associated risks for aquatic species (Stewartby Lake & Priory Country waterbird species, & fish. Bank vole Depending on flooding extent, duration, and e.g.Decrease in unlikelyIncreased to abstractionchange. from Marston Utilising Elstow South Lakes, Marston Pit, & their predators. Park lakes) creating a potential population in Broom Lake. Flood risk management: frequency there may be habitat creation contamination.water quality Pit, Brogborough Lake, Kempston Brogborough Lake, Kempston Hardwick Pits, risk of habitat loss. opportunities at Kempston Pits and Elstow Pits Floode.g. if linkdefence Hardwick Pits, Stewartby Lake & Stewartby Lake & Coronation Pit for flood Open water habitat within the footprint Floods have the potential to displace which are proposed to be used for flood alleviation. worksexists withbetween no Coronation Pit has the potential to attenuation would lead to the increased flooding of of the proposed Eco town at Maston small fish downstream, especially where riverintegrated & lake flood lower water levels, creating a risk to these waterbodies. Increased flooding has the Vale includes Brogborough Lake, there is little refuge and shelter for fish to Waste water treatment: duringmanagement. a flood fish (such as trout in Stewartby Lake), potential to impact associated bird species on the Marston Pit, Stewartby Lake, escape the flows. Improvements in water quality could improve event.Physical loss of aquatic invertebrates & plants. margins of the water should the flood event coincide Kempston Harwich Pit, Hanson Lake, numbers and distribution of species (WFD Physicalhabitat e.g. loss from of with the breeding season, & there is a risk of loss of & Coronation Pit. This creates a Flooding along the Ouse Valley displaces requirements will set more stringent water quality habitatdevelopment e.g. marginal habitats. potential risk of direct habitat loss & fish, inc large carp, from gravel pits standards). fromfootprint resulting impacts to associated adjacent to the Bedford Ouse into the species such as breeding bird & main river. The loss of carp into running Development footprint: Wet Woodland (including wet ash-maple woodland) ash-maple wet (including Woodland Wet development footprint. waterbird assemblages, wintering water is of particular concern, where they Open water and grazing marsh habitats are waterbird species, & fish. have the ability to out-compete the natural located within the footprints of the East Ampthill, Marshy grassland River Great Ouse Ampthill Park CWS; Arlesey meadows CWS; N Priority UK BAP habitat; ChangeDisturbance in to Increased abstraction from lakes / Marginal habitats such as marshy grassland are Increase in flows from increased development Not located within sewer footprint. Bromham development boundary Water Resources: Flood risk management: riverine species. Broom, Wixham, Henlow, Bromham, east of (floodplain grazing floodplain; River Austin cannons meadow CWS; Begwary LBAP habitat hydrologyfauna e.g bird e.g. gravel pits has the potential to lower already likely to be adapted to seasonal variations in and subsequent increase in River Great Ouse, encroaches on floodplain grazing Increased abstraction has the potential to Flood attenuation as part of the proposed Kempston, Biggleswade, Sandy and the Eco-town marsh) habitat and Ivel/Hiz/Purwell Brook Pits CWS; Brogborough lake CWS; reductionpopulations. in water levels, creating a risk of loss of water levels. River Ivel/Hiz/Purwell flows not likely to change marsh habitat of the River Great Ouse lower water levels, creating a risk of loss development areas has the potential to provide Utilising Elstow South Lakes, Marston Pit, development areas. Careful design of marsh habitat floodplain Bromham park CWS; Bromham Water ground, surface locally important and UK BAP Priority hydrology of marshy grassland habitat. within Bromham Water Meadows of locally important and UK BAP Priority habitat creation opportunities, including ponds, Brogborough Lake, Kempston Hardwick the development areas and the management of Meadows CWS; Cainhoe Lakes CWS; or flood water marginal habitats such as marshy CWS (subsequent risks to otter marginal habitats such as marshy lakes, wet woodland, ditches, wet grassland, and Pits, Stewartby Lake and Coronation Pit water could be used to Cooper's Hill SSSI; Duck End Marshy levels. grassland at Brogborough Lake, population). Biggleswade and Sandy grassland. reedbeds. for flood attenuation would lead to the increase the quality and extent of these habitats. Standing open Standing margins & lakes - water Grassland CWS; Felmersham Marsh Flood defence Kempston Hardwick Pits and development areas encroach on increased flooding of these waterbodies, Meadow CWS; Fenlake Meadow CWS; works preventing Stewartby Lake. floodplain grazing marsh habitat of Development footprint: Development footprint: potentially impacting associated bird Flitwick Manor CWS; Flitwick Moor SSSI; seasonal the River Ivel/Hiz/Purwell (subsequent Risk of habitat loss and subsequent risks Open water and grazing marsh habitats are species on the margins of the water Foster hill road Cemetery CWS; Harrold flooding. risks to otter, water and grass snake to associated species e.g. otter and water located within the footprints of the East Ampthill, should the flood event coincide with the Country Park CWS; Henlow Park Wood Physical loss of populations). Kempston development vole populations, and grass snakes. Broom, Wixham, Henlow, Bromham, east of breeding season, and marginal habitats. CWS; Holywell Marsh CWS; Kempston habitat e.g. from area encroaches on floodplain Kempston, Biggleswade, Sandy and the Eco-town Hardwick Pit CWS; King's Wood, Houghton development grazing marsh of Elstow Brook. Risk development areas. Careful design of the Sewer capacity: Conquest CWS; Langford Common CWS; footprint. of habitat loss. Although, restrictions development areas and the management of water Risk of habitat loss. Church Meadow SSSI; Maulden on development within floodplain as could be used to increase the quality and extent of Disturbance to Woods and Heaths CWS; Millbrook CWS; stated in PPS 25. these habitats. fauna e.g. to bird Development footprint: Millbrook Warren CWS; Newton Park populations. Risk of habitat loss, and associated Grassland CWS; Old Warren Disused species e.g. breeding breeding bird Railway CWS; Priory Country Park CWS; and waterbird assemblages, Pulloxhill Marsh SSSI; Pulloxhill North wintering waterbird species, and fish. Marshes CWS; Pulloxhill South Grasslands CWS; Rookery Clay Pit CWS; Sandy Meadow CWS; SSSI; South Mills Pits CWS; Stevington Marsh CWS; Stevington Marsh SSSI; Stevington Meadow CWS; Stewartby Lakes CWS; Upper Alders CWS; Willington Moat CWS; Wooton Wood CWS; Wyboston Pits CWS; Zwetsloots Pits CWS

Otter River Great Ouse and I Bern Convention; Backwater; River Habitats Directive; Ivel/Hiz/Purwell Wildlife and

Marshy grassland (floodplain grazing marsh) grazing (floodplain grassland Marshy Countryside Act 1981 (as amended); Priority UK BAP Species; LBAP Species Birds Begwary Brook Pits CWS; South Mills Pits N / R / L Wildlife and CWS; Stewartby Lakes CWS; Zwetsloots Pits Countryside Act 1981 CWS (as amended); Priority UK BAP species (reed bunting only); IUCN Red List species (reed bunting only); IUCN Amber List (mute swan, pochard, willow warbler, edshank, lesser black- backed gull, lapwing) Protected sites Feature habitat & Importance: Related Policies & Sensitivity to Water resources (water associated Distribution International, Flood risk management Waste water treatment Sewer capacity Development footprint (direct) Risk Opportunities Legislation WCS hazards abstraction) species Site name European, National, Local * Existing public water supply from Increased rates & volumes of run-off will be 9 WwTWs (Biggleswade, Clifton, Bedford, New sewer from Marston Vale to groundwater, except Clapham attenuated within development areas except: Clophill, Flitwick, Marston Moritaine, Poppyhill, Bedford WwTW instead of new supplied from River Great Ouse. - North of Fields Road, Wootton (creation of Potton, Sandy) are most likely to be affected by WwTW in the vicinity of Stewartby Additional resource from Grafham offsite Van Dieman’s Land lake & watercourse the proposed growth. Increases in wastewater & Marston Moretaine. water as needed. improvement) discharges has the potential to increase river - Wixams (Watercourse improvements & channel flows & levels. Minor sewer network & No new abstractions proposed; diversions) recommendations for pipe existing licences will be used - Land off Cambridge Road (In-channel storage However, waste water discharges will still meet improvements & new pipes not supplemented from Grafham Water. upstream of Cardington Cross & compensation consented water quality standards - therefore considered during this within river corridor for land raising in floodplain) no decrease in water quality. assessment as these will be Pulloxhill reservoir consent is - Kempston Harwick (use of Kempston Harwick considered at a local level by dormant but will be used to support Pits for flood attenuation) There are problems with accommodating Anglian Water. increased demand. - Land North of Wixams beside B530 (use of additional flows at Marston Mortaine WwTW as

Context Elstow South Lakes for flood attenuation) a result of the proposed Marston Vale Marston Vale: Preliminary Water Development. Options include: replacement of Cycle Strategy (2008) suggests Marston Vale: Preliminary Water Cycle Strategy Stewartby WwTW, construction of a new abstraction of non-potable water (2008) suggested use of lakes within footprint of WwTW in vicinity of Marston Moretaine & from lakes within footprint of Eco- Eco-town for flood alleviation purposes. Stewartby, or upgrade Bedford WwTW & town. construct new sewer. Information on flood alleviation options for key service centres, some development areas & effect of releasing water from long term storage not available for this assessment.

Reed bed and Individual areas located Arlesey meadows CWS; Arlesey Road Pit N Priority UK BAP Change in Increased abstraction from MarstonPulloxhill MarginalFloods that habitats have thesuch potential as reedbeds to displace are already small fish IncreaseWaste water in flows from from Marston increased Moretaine development WwTW NotThe locatedroute of within proposed sewer Sewer footprint. WixhamOpen water development habitats within area the Water resources:resources Flood risk management: swamp habitat along River Great Ouse CWS; Austin cannons meadow CWS; habitats; LBAP habitats hydrology e.g. Pit,Reservoir Brogborough likely to Lake, lower Kempston water levels. likelydownstream, to be adapted especially to seasonal where there variations is little in refuge water & anddischarges subsequent to Marston increase Brook, in River which Great flows Ouse from Marston Vale to Bedford encroachesfootprint of the on Eastswamp Ampthill, habitat Broom, within Increased abstraction has the potential to Flood attenuation as part of the proposed at Sharnbrook and Begwary Brook Pits CWS; Biggleswade reduction in in HardwickHowever, Pits,this abstraction Stewartby Lakeis and levels.shelter for fish to escape the flows. andalmost Fancott immediately Brook flows into Stewartbynot likely toLake. change The WwTW was not known at the time CoronationWixham & Henlow Pit CWS development lower water levels, creating a risk to fish, development areas has the potential to provide ; along Common CWS; Brogborough lake CWS; surface,ground waterflood or & Coronationconsented byPit the has Environment the potential to hydrologylake is a designated of reedbed Cyprinid and swamp Fishery habitats. under the of this ecological risk assessment areas. Potential risk of direct habitat aquatic invertebrates and plants, andloss riskof habitat creation opportunities, including ponds, Fancott Brook at Flitwick; Coronation Pit CWS; Duck End Marshy groundsurface water levels lowerAgency, water & is levels, therefore creating not considered a risk to Flooding along Ouse Valley displaces fish, including Freshwater Fish Directive, but is known to although the approximate footprint loss & resulting impacts to associated oflocally loss importantof locally importantand UK BAP and Priority UK BAP lakes, wet woodland, ditches, wet grassland, and and at Southill Grassland CWS; Elstow pit CWS; Flitwick levels.from fishto be (such a risk as to trout the waterin Stewartby & wetland Lake), large carp, from gravel pits into the main river. Carp Increasedsuffer from flows algal from blooms. the BedfordAny change WwTW in water may does run in close proximity to species such as breeding bird & Prioritymarginal marginal habitats habitats such as such marshy as reedbeds. Manor CWS; Flitwick Moor CWS; Flitwick Decreaseabstraction in aquaticfeatures invertebrates within the reservoir. and plants. mayout-compete the natural riverine species. providequality, mayopportunities pose a risk for of the increased creation algalof locally important water bodies waterbird assemblages, wintering reedbedgrassland habitat. and reedbed habitat. Moor SSSI; Henlow Park Wood CWS; wateractivities. quality There is also the risk of loss of locally reedbeds.blooms & associated risks for aquatic species (Stewartby Lake & Priory Country waterbird species, & fish. Bank vole WasteDepending water on treatment: flooding extent, duration, and Kempston Hardwick Pit CWS; Lidlington Pit e.g.Decrease in importantIncreased andabstraction UK BAP from Priority Marston Utilising Elstow South Lakes, Marston Pit, & their predators. Park lakes) creating a potential population in Broom Lake. Flood risk management: Increasedfrequency flowsthere frommay bethe habitat Bedford creation WwTW may CWS; Little Barford CWS; contamination;water quality marginalPit, Brogborough habitats Lake,such asKempston reedbed Brogborough Lake, Kempston Hardwick Pits, risk of habitat loss. Flood attenuation as part of the proposed provideopportunities opportunities at Kempston for the Pits creation and Elstow of reedbeds. Pits CWS; Mill Rise, Turvey CWS; Millbrook CWS; floode.g. if defence link habitatHardwick at BrogboroughPits, Stewartby Lake, Lake & Stewartby Lake & Coronation Pit for flood Open water habitat within the footprint developmentFloods have the areas potential has the to potentialdisplace to which are proposed to be used for flood alleviation. Millbrook Pillinge Pit CWS; River Flit CWS; existsworks withbetween no KempstonCoronation Hardwick Pit has the Pits potential and to attenuation would lead to the increased flooding of of the proposed Eco town at Maston providesmall fish habitat downstream, creation especiallyopportunities, where Development area: River Great Ouse CWS; Sandy Disused riverintegrated & lake flood Coronationlower water Pit.levels, creating a risk to these waterbodies. Increased flooding has the Vale includes Brogborough Lake, includingthere is little ponds, refuge lakes, and wetshelter woodland, for fish to OpenWaste water water and treatment: grazing marsh habitats are Railway CWS; South Mills Pits CWS; duringmanagement. a flood fish (such as trout in Stewartby Lake), potential to impact associated bird species on the Marston Pit, Stewartby Lake, ditches,escape thewet flows. grassland, and reedbeds. locatedImprovements within the in water footprints quality of thecould East improve Ampthill, Stevington Meadow CWS; Sutton Fen and event.Excessive aquatic invertebrates & plants. margins of the water should the flood event coincide Kempston Harwich Pit, Hanson Lake, Broom,numbers Wixham, and distribution Henlow, of Bromham, species (WFD east of Woods CWS; Upper Alders CWS, Southilll Physicalflooding leadingloss of with the breeding season, & there is a risk of loss of & Coronation Pit. This creates a DevelopmentFlooding along areas: the Ouse Valley displaces Kempston,requirements Biggleswade, will set more Sandy stringent and waterthe Eco-town quality Lake and Wood CWS; Felmersham Gravel habitatto habitat e.g. loss. marginal habitats. potential risk of direct habitat loss & Wixhamfish, inc large development carp, from area gravel encroaches pits developmentstandards). areas. Careful design of the pits SSSI fromPhysical loss of resulting impacts to associated onadjacent swamp to habitat the Bedford within OuseCoronation into the Pit development areas and the management of water species such as breeding bird & main river. The loss of carp into running Development footprint: Reed bed andswamp bed Reed developmenthabitat e.g. from CWS could be used to increase the quality and extent of waterbird assemblages, wintering water is of particular concern, where they Open water and grazing marsh habitats are Birds South Mills Pits CWS; Begwary Brook Pits N / R / L Wildlife and footprint.development these habitats. waterbird species, & fish. have the ability to out-compete the natural located within the footprints of the East Ampthill, CWS Countryside Act 1981 Disturbancefootprint. to riverine species. Broom, Wixham, Henlow, Bromham, east of (as amended); Priority fauna e.g bird Kempston, Biggleswade, Sandy and the Eco-town UK BAP species (reed populations. Utilising Elstow South Lakes, Marston Pit, development areas. Careful design of bunting, great bittern); Brogborough Lake, Kempston Hardwick the development areas and the management of IUCN Red List species Pits, Stewartby Lake and Coronation Pit water could be used to (reed bunting and great for flood attenuation would lead to the increase the quality and extent of these habitats. Standing open Standing margins & lakes - water bittern) increased flooding of these waterbodies, potentially impacting associated bird species on the margins of the water should the flood event coincide with the Ditch habitat Scattered distribution Begwary Brook Pits CWS; Biggleswade L Change in Abstraction licencing by the Potential for water quality issues from 'first flush' Waste water not discharged into ditches. Unable to determine if ditches Likely habitat is present within all breedingSewer capacity/development season, and marginal footprint: habitats. Flood risk management: Common CWS; Buckle Grove CWS; Cainhoe hydrology e.g. Environment Agency will ensure that effect from all developments. Water cycle strategy Water quality issues unlikely under footprint of sewer footprint. development areas. Risk of habitat Potential habitat loss from footprints Flood attenuation required on all development Lakes CWS; Duck End Marshy Grassland reduction in river and ground water levels will not recommends that all SUDS for all developments loss Sewerleading capacity: to risks to aquatic invertebrates; sites for 1 in 30yr flood events, possible habitat CWS; Felmersham Marsh Meadow CWS; Flit surface and be impacted - water levels unlikely to are designed to prevent risk of 'first flush' effect. Riskamphibians of habitat (including loss. great crested creation opportunities. Opportunities for habitat Valley CWS; Flitwick Manor CWS; Flitwick ground water change. newts if present), fish. enhancement and creation within all development Moor SSSI; Flitwick Moor CWS; Great and levels. Physical Development footprint: areas through flood attentuation e.g. allowing Little Early Groves CWS; Harrold lake CWS; loss of habitat Risk of habitat loss, and associated ditches to be wet rather than dry through SUDS Henlow Park Wood CWS; Kempston e.g. from species e.g. breeding breeding bird design. Hardwick Pit CWS; King's Wood, Houghton development and waterbird assemblages, Conquest CWS; Langford Common CWS; footprint. wintering waterbird species, and fish. Development footprint: Lower Alders CWS; Marston Thrift CWS; The Marston Vale: Preliminary Water Cycle Millbrook Warren CWS; Moors Plantation Strategy (2008) proposed the creation of 100ha of CWS; SSSI; Pulloxhill wetlands with a mosaic of deep pools, marginal

Ditches South Grasslands CWS; River Flit CWS; shelves and drier mounds within the Marston Vale River Great Ouse CWS; River Ivel and Hiz Growth area. Water would be passed through a CWS; Salford Wood CWS; Sandy Disused system of ditches, rills and pools and be controlled Railway CWS; Sandy Meadow CWS; Sandy by simple sluices Warren SSSI; Stewartby Lakes CWS; Sutton Fen and Woods CWS; Thrift Wood CWS; Tilwick Meadow SSSI; Upper Alders CWS; Warren Villas CWS; Warren Wood CWS; Wavendon Heath Ponds SSSI; Wrest park Grounds CWS

Fen habitat Individual area located at Flitwick Moor SSSI N Priority UK BAP habitat Change in Abstraction licencing by the Area of fen habitat on River Ise will receive Increase in flows from increased development Not located within sewer footprint. Not located within the footprint of any No residual risks identififed No opportunities identified Flitwick hydrology e.g. Environment Agency will ensure that unchanged water flows to present situation. and subsequent increase in River Flit flows not proposed development areas reduction in river and ground water levels will not likely to change hydrology of habitats surface, flood or be impacted - water levels unlikely to ground water change. levels. Physical Fen loss of habitat e.g. from development footprint. Protected sites Feature habitat & Importance: Related Policies & Sensitivity to Water resources (water associated Distribution International, Flood risk management Waste water treatment Sewer capacity Development footprint (direct) Risk Opportunities Legislation WCS hazards abstraction) species Site name European, National, Local * Existing public water supply from Increased rates & volumes of run-off will be 9 WwTWs (Biggleswade, Clifton, Bedford, New sewer from Marston Vale to groundwater, except Clapham attenuated within development areas except: Clophill, Flitwick, Marston Moritaine, Poppyhill, Bedford WwTW instead of new supplied from River Great Ouse. - North of Fields Road, Wootton (creation of Potton, Sandy) are most likely to be affected by WwTW in the vicinity of Stewartby Additional resource from Grafham offsite Van Dieman’s Land lake & watercourse the proposed growth. Increases in wastewater & Marston Moretaine. water as needed. improvement) discharges has the potential to increase river - Wixams (Watercourse improvements & channel flows & levels. Minor sewer network & No new abstractions proposed; diversions) recommendations for pipe existing licences will be used - Land off Cambridge Road (In-channel storage However, waste water discharges will still meet improvements & new pipes not supplemented from Grafham Water. upstream of Cardington Cross & compensation consented water quality standards - therefore considered during this within river corridor for land raising in floodplain) no decrease in water quality. assessment as these will be Pulloxhill reservoir consent is - Kempston Harwick (use of Kempston Harwick considered at a local level by dormant but will be used to support Pits for flood attenuation) There are problems with accommodating Anglian Water. increased demand. - Land North of Wixams beside B530 (use of additional flows at Marston Mortaine WwTW as

Context Elstow South Lakes for flood attenuation) a result of the proposed Marston Vale Marston Vale: Preliminary Water Development. Options include: replacement of Cycle Strategy (2008) suggests Marston Vale: Preliminary Water Cycle Strategy Stewartby WwTW, construction of a new abstraction of non-potable water (2008) suggested use of lakes within footprint of WwTW in vicinity of Marston Moretaine & from lakes within footprint of Eco- Eco-town for flood alleviation purposes. Stewartby, or upgrade Bedford WwTW & town. construct new sewer. Information on flood alleviation options for key service centres, some development areas & effect of releasing water from long term storage not available for this assessment.

Pond habitat Scattered distribution Ampthill Park CWS; Arlesey meadows CWS N Prioirity UK BAP habitat; Change in AbstractionIncreased abstraction licencing by from the Pulloxhill PotentialFloods that for have water the quality potential issues to displacefrom 'first small flush' fish Waste water notfrom discharged Marston Moretaine into ponds. WwTW Water UnableThe route to ofdetermine proposed if pondsSewer PondsOpen water not mapped habitats so within could the be SewerWater resourcescapacity/development footprint: Flood risk management: ;Begwary Brook Pits CWS; Braystone CWS; LBAP habitat hydrology e.g. EnvironmentReservoir likely Agency to lower will water ensure levels. that effectdownstream, from all especially developments. where Water there cycleis little strategy refuge & qualitydischarges issues to unlikelyMarston Brook, which flows underfrom Marston footprint Vale of sewer to Bedford footprint. presentfootprint onof theall development East Ampthill, areas. Broom, PotentialIncreased habitat abstraction loss from has thefootprints potential to Flood attenuation requiredas part of on the all proposed development Bunkers Hill CWS; Cainhoe Lakes CWS; reduction in in riverHowever, and ground this abstraction water levels is will not recommendsshelter for fish that to escape all SUDS the for flows. all developments almost immediately into Stewartby Lake. The WwTW was not known at the time RiskWixham of habitat & Henlow loss. development leadinglower water to risks levels, to aquatic creating invertebrates; a risk to fish, sitesdevelopment for 1 in 30yr areas flood has events, the potential possible to providehabitat Manor Farm Meadows CWS; Duck surface,ground waterflood or & beconsented impacted by - thewater Environment levels unlikely to are designed to prevent risk of 'first flush' effect. lake is a designated Cyprinid Fishery under the of this ecological risk assessment areas. Potential risk of direct habitat amphibiansaquatic invertebrates (inc great and crested plants, newts loss if of creationhabitat creation opportunities. opportunities, Opportunities including for ponds,habitat End Marshy Grassland CWS; Flit Valley groundsurface water levels change.Agency, & is therefore not considered Flooding along Ouse Valley displaces fish, including Freshwater Fish Directive, but is known to although the approximate footprint loss & resulting impacts to associated present),locally important fish. and UK BAP Priority enhancementlakes, wet woodland, and creation ditches, within wet allgrassland, development and CWS; Flitwick Manor CWS; Flitwick Moor levels.from to be a risk to the water & wetland large carp, from gravel pits into the main river. Carp suffer from algal blooms. Any change in water does run in close proximity to species such as breeding bird & marginal habitats such as marshy areasreedbeds. through flood attentuation e.g. allowing CWS; Harlington Villiage Pond CWS; Heydon Decreaseabstraction in features within the reservoir. mayout-compete the natural riverine species. quality, may pose a risk of increased algal locally important water bodies waterbird assemblages, wintering grassland and reedbed habitat. ditches to be wet rather than dry through SUDS Hill CWS; Holcot Wood CWS; Kempston wateractivities. quality blooms & associated risks for aquatic species (Stewartby Lake & Priory Country waterbird species, & fish. Bank vole design.Depending on flooding extent, duration, and West End CWS; Kings Wood and Glebe e.g.Decrease nutrient in Increased abstraction from Marston Utilising Elstow South Lakes, Marston Pit, & their predators. Park lakes) creating a potential population in Broom Lake. Flood risk management: frequency there may be habitat creation Meadows, Houghton Conquest SSSI; King's enrichment,water quality Pit, Brogborough Lake, Kempston Brogborough Lake, Kempston Hardwick Pits, risk of habitat loss. Wasteopportunities water treatment:at Kempston Pits and Elstow Pits Wood, Houghton Conquest CWS; Lord's changee.g. if link in water Hardwick Pits, Stewartby Lake & Stewartby Lake & Coronation Pit for flood Open water habitat within the footprint Floods have the potential to displace Thewhich potential are proposed for improvements to be used forin waterflood qualityalleviation. Wood CWS; SSSI; existschemistry, between Coronation Pit has the potential to attenuation would lead to the increased flooding of of the proposed Eco town at Maston small fish downstream, especially where through the introduction of the Water Framework and Pennyfather’s Hill SSSI; rivercontamination. & lake lower water levels, creating a risk to these waterbodies. Increased flooding has the Vale includes Brogborough Lake, there is little refuge and shelter for fish to DirectiveWaste water standards treatment: which may increase habitat Millbrook Warren CWS; Newton Park duringPhysical a floodloss of fish (such as trout in Stewartby Lake), potential to impact associated bird species on the Marston Pit, Stewartby Lake, escape the flows. extentsImprovements and species in water distribution quality could improve Grassland CWS; Old Warren Disused event.habitat e.g. from aquatic invertebrates & plants. margins of the water should the flood event coincide Kempston Harwich Pit, Hanson Lake, numbers and distribution of species (WFD Railway CWS; Pateman's Wood CWS; Potton Physicaldevelopment loss of with the breeding season, & there is a risk of loss of & Coronation Pit. This creates a Flooding along the Ouse Valley displaces Developmentrequirements willfootprints: set more stringent water quality Wood SSSI; Priory Country Park CWS; habitatfootprint. e.g. marginal habitats. potential risk of direct habitat loss & fish, inc large carp, from gravel pits Terrestrialstandards). and aquatic habitat restoration and/or Pulloxhill North Marshes CWS; River Flit from resulting impacts to associated adjacent to the Bedford Ouse into the creation e.g. ponds. Opportunities for habitat CWS; River Ivel and Hiz CWS; Sandy Warren development species such as breeding bird & main river. The loss of carp into running enhancementDevelopment footprint:and creation within all development SSSI; Silsoe Pit CWS; Stanford Plantation footprint. waterbird assemblages, wintering water is of particular concern, where they areasOpen watere.g. through and grazing SUDS marsh design. habitats are waterbird species, & fish. have the ability to out-compete the natural located within the footprints of the East Ampthill, CWS; Stewartby Lakes CWS; Sutton Fen and Disturbance to riverine species. Broom, Wixham, Henlow, Bromham, east of Woods CWS; Tilwick Meadow SSSI; Upper fauna e.g bird Kempston, Biggleswade, Sandy and the Eco-town Alders CWS; Warren Villas CWS; Wavendon populations. Heath Ponds SSSI. Utilising Elstow South Lakes, Marston Pit, development areas. Careful design of

Brogborough Lake, Kempston Hardwick the development areas and the management of Ponds Pits, Stewartby Lake and Coronation Pit water could be used to for flood attenuation would lead to the increase the quality and extent of these habitats. Standing open Standing margins & lakes - water Great crested newt Scattered distribution, Willington Moat CWS; Ampthill Park CWS; I Habitats Directive, increased flooding of these waterbodies, likely to be correlated to Bromham Lake LNR; Cleat Hill CWS; Wildlife and potentially impacting associated bird ponds Maulden Woods and Heaths CWS; Maulden Countryside Act 1981 species on the margins of the water Church Meadow SSSI; Braystone CWS (as amended), Bern should the flood event coincide with the Convention; Priority UK breeding season, and marginal habitats. BAP species; LBAP species Sewer capacity: Natterjack toad Sandy Lodge, Sandy Sandy Warren CWS I Habitats Directive, Risk of habitat loss. Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 Development footprint: (as amended), Bern Risk of habitat loss, and associated Convention;Annex IV of species e.g. breeding breeding bird the EC Habitats and waterbird assemblages, Directive; Priority UK wintering waterbird species, and fish. BAP species

Other amphibians Scattered distribution, Upper Alders CWS; Duck End Marshy L UK BAP species likely to be correlated to Grassland CWS; Priory Country Park CWS; ponds Ampthill Park CWS; Upper Alders CWS; Maulden Church Meadow SSSI; Flitwick Moor CWS; Warren Villas CWS Purple Moor Rush Individual area located at Pulloxhill Marsh SSSI N UK BAP Priority habitat Abstraction licencing by the Area of purple moor rush grassland will remain Increase in flows from increased development Not located within sewer footprint. Not located within the footprint of any No residual risks identififed No opportunities identified Grassland and Pulloxhill Environment Agency will ensure that unchanged to present situation. and subsequent increase in the flow of the proposed development areas Rush Pastures river and ground water levels will not River Flit are not likely to change the hydrology habitat be impacted - water levels unlikely to of habitats

change.

Purple Moor Moor Purple Grassland Rush Rush and Pastures

Key

I International Importance * National BAP Priority habitats and species have been allocated National Importance subject to more detailed investigation into geographical frame of reference N National Importance R Regional Importance L Local Importance