Intended for Associated Architects LLP
Date May 2021
Project Number 1620009366
Document Number 9366-RAM-XX-XX-RP-EC-10020
PLOT B1, OLD ROAD CAMPUS, UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN ASSESSMENT REPORT
PLOT B1, OLD ROAD CAMPUS, UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN ASSESSMENT REPORT
Project No. 1620009366 Issue No. 1 Date 04/05/2021 Made by Iain Lednor Checked by Vikki Patton Approved by Vikki Patton Document 9366-RAM-XX-XX-RP-EC-10020 Number
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This report is produced by Ramboll at the request of the client for the purposes detailed herein. This report and accompanying documents are intended solely for the use and benefit of the client for this purpose only and may not be used by or disclosed to, in whole or in part, any other person without the express written consent of Ramboll. Ramboll neither owes nor accepts any duty to any third party and shall not be liable for any loss, damage or expense of whatsoever nature which is caused by their reliance on the information contained in this report.
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BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN ASSESSMENT REPORT PLOT B1, OLD ROAD CAMPUS, UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY I 1. INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Background 1 1.2 Biodiversity Net Gain 1 1.3 Objectives 2 1.4 Proposed Development 2 1.5 Local Plan Policy 3 1.6 Oxfordshire County Council 3 1.7 University of Oxford Policy 4 2. METHODOLOGY 5 2.1 Desk Study 5 2.2 Baseline Biodiversity Assessment 5 2.3 Post-development Biodiversity Assessment 7 2.4 Biodiversity Metric 8 2.5 Limitations 8 3. BIODIVERSITY BASELINE 9 3.1 Desk Study 9 3.2 Habitat Survey and Condition Assessment 12 3.3 Habitat Distinctiveness, Connectivity and Strategic Significance 12 3.4 Biodiversity Baseline 13 3.5 Linear Habitats 13 3.6 Individual/Street Trees 13 4. POST-DEVELOPMENT BIODIVERSITY 14 4.1 Landscape Plan Habitat Types and UK Hab Translation 14 4.2 Habitats 14 4.3 Post-Development Biodiversity 15 4.4 Linear Habitats 16 4.5 Individual/Street Trees 16 5. CALCULATION OF BIODIVERSITY CHANGE 17 5.1 Quantitative Biodiversity Change 17 5.2 Qualitative Biodiversity Change 18 6. DISCUSSION 19 6.1 Management and Monitoring 19 6.2 Conclusion 19
LIST OF TABLES
Table 2.1: Habitats and Condition Scoring ...... 6 Table 3.1: Statutory Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation within 2 km of the Site ...... 9 Table 3.2: Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation within 2 km of the Site ...... 10 Table 3.3: Habitat Survey and Condition Assessment……………………………………..12 Table 3.4: Habitats, Distinctiveness, Connectivity and Strategic Significance … 12 Table 3.5: Biodiversity Baseline…………………………………………………………………………13 Table 4.1: Landscape Plan Areas and UKHab Translation…………… ……..14 Table 4.2: Habitats Pre-construction, the Intervention and UKHab Translation Post-construction ………………………………..14 Table 4.3: Post Development Habitats, Habitats Action, Target Habitat Condition and BU Delivered……………………………………………………………………………..15
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BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN ASSESSMENT REPORT PLOT B1, OLD ROAD CAMPUS, UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
Table 4.4: UKHab Hedgerow Types, Length and Condition…………………………….16
Table 5.1: Baseline Biodiversity, Post-development Biodiversity and Biodiversity Change ...... 17 Table 5.2: Baseline Biodiversity, Post-development Biodiversity and Biodiversity Change per Habitat Group ...... 17
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1.1: Site Location ...... Error! Bookmark not defined.
APPENDICES
Appendix 1 Baseline Phase 1 Habitat map
Appendix 2 Landscape Plan and Post-development plan
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BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN ASSESSMENT REPORT i PLOT B1, OLD ROAD CAMPUS, UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Ramboll UK Limited was commissioned by Associated Architects LLP to undertake a Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment of a site Plot B1, Old Road Campus, Oxford University in advance of the site’s use as office and teaching accommodation. This assessment is intended to support an outline planning application for the proposed development. The site is located at OS grid reference SP54210612, within the administrative boundary of the City of Oxford.
Biodiversity Net Gain is a process whereby development leaves biodiversity in a measurably better state than before and is a planning policy requirement in England under the 2019 National Planning Policy Framework. The aim of this report is to provide the results of the Biodiversity Net Gain assessment in relation to the site including the associated construction works and landscape plans for the proposed development. This has been achieved through calculating the biodiversity change as a result of the proposed development in terms of net loss, no net loss or a net gain and including recommendations to assist the proposed development to minimise biodiversity impacts and maximise biodiversity outputs.
The Biodiversity Net Gain assessment shows that with the current illustrative proposed landscape design, it is possible for the proposed development to achieve a 40.32 % net gain for area-based habitats. This is a significant net gain for the biodiversity of the site, in excess of the 5 % net gain required by the Oxford Local Plan, the 10 % required by Oxfordshire County Council, and the 20 % biodiversity target outlined by the University of Oxford for all new developments.
Whilst there is a 2.27 % loss of hedgerow, this is considered to have achieved ‘no net loss’ on the basis it is between 95% and 104% of the baseline value. In addition, whilst a 0.07 km length of hedgerow will be lost, 0.03 km of native species rich hedgerow will be created post-development, improving the biodiversity of hedgerow habitat on site.
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BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN ASSESSMENT REPORT 1 PLOT B1, OLD ROAD CAMPUS, UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
Ramboll UK Limited (“Ramboll”) was commissioned by Associated Architects LLP (the “Applicant”) to undertake a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Assessment at Plot B1, Old Road Campus, Oxford University (the "site”) in advance of the site’s potential redevelopment for use as office and teaching accommodation (the “proposed development”). The site is located at OS grid reference SP54210612, within the administrative boundary of the City of Oxford, as shown in Figure 1.1.
This report should be read in conjunction with the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal carried out for the site (Document: 1620009366_2C_PEA_Old Road Campus Oxford University). This assessment is intended to support an outline planning application for the proposed development.
Figure 1.1: Site Location
1.2 Biodiversity Net Gain
BNG is a process whereby development leaves biodiversity in a measurably better state than before and is a policy requirement under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF; 2019)1. BNG will soon become a legal requirement in England2 with the Environment Bill (2019-2021) setting out a mandatory 10 % net gain in biodiversity for new development3.
1 Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (2019). National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Accessed from: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/810197/NPPF_Feb_2019_revise d.pdf. 2 Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (2020). Environment Bill 2020: Policy Statement. Accessed from: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/environment-bill-2020/30-january-2020-environment-bill-2020-policy-statement. 3 Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (2020). Environment Bill 2020: Nature and conservation covenants (parts 6 and 7). Accessed from: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/environment-bill-2020/10-march-2020-nature-and-conservation- covenants-parts-6-and-7.
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BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN ASSESSMENT REPORT 2 PLOT B1, OLD ROAD CAMPUS, UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
The BNG process is governed by a set of UK good practice principles (2016)4 along with industry guidance which outlines the practical implementation of the principles (2019)5. The key principle is the application of a mitigation hierarchy, which sets out that development should first avoid biodiverse habitats, then mitigate/minimise impacts upon habitats, then restore/reinstate habitats. As a last resort, once the mitigation hierarchy has been maximised on-site, the project may use biodiversity offsetting to compensate for any residual biodiversity impacts due to the project. The principles require use of a metric (e.g. Natural England metric v2.0) to assess and quantify net biodiversity change.
Ramboll has in-house biodiversity specialists who have worked at the forefront of BNG across the UK since 2017. Our specialists have in-depth experience of applying BNG assessments to residential, road, rail and energy infrastructure developments, using the Defra metric, Natural England metric v2.0 and client-adapted metrics.
1.3 Objectives
The aim of this report is to provide the results of the BNG assessment in relation to the site and the associated construction works and landscape plans for the proposed development. The structure and content of the report is based on current BNG good practice and reports on the following:
The biodiversity baseline; The post-development biodiversity (based upon the landscape plan); and The calculation of biodiversity change.
The objectives of this report are to:
Calculate the biodiversity change as a result of the proposed development in terms of net loss, no net loss or a net gain; Include recommendations to assist the proposed development to minimise biodiversity impacts and maximise biodiversity outputs;
The report is supported by the following appendices:
Appendix 1: Baseline Phase 1 Habitat map; Appendix 2: Landscape Plan (P20110-00-001-GIL-0100 Rev 11) provided by Gillespies LLP; and Post-development plan based on the landscape plan with planting mixes translated into UKHab habitat types.
1.4 Proposed Development
The plot B1 development is part of the Masterplan development of the Old Road Campus and is subject to the Outline Planning Consent (12/02072/OUT) granted in 2013. The building is to provide approximately 3,880 m2 Gross Internal Area over two storeys plus plant, comprising of both office and teaching accommodation. The three plant buildings in the east of the site (pump room, sprinkler tank and a telecommunications building) are to be retained within the development. A surfaced footpath will be constructed from the proposed main building to Old Road.
4 CIEEM, CIRIA, IEMA (2016) Biodiversity Net Gain: Good practice principles for development. Accessed from: https://cieem.net/wp- content/uploads/2019/02/Biodiversity-Net-Gain-Principles.pdf. 5 CIEEM, CIRIA, IEMA (2019) Biodiversity Net Gain: Good practice principles for development. A practical guide. Accessed from: https://cieem.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/C776a-Biodiversity-net-gain.-Good-practice-principles-for-development.-A-practical- guide-web.pdf.
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1.5 Local Plan Policy
Oxford City Council: Local Plan 2036 dating from June 2020 has a number of policies, of which Policy G2 – Protection of biodiversity and geo-diversity6 is particularly relevant to biodiversity at the site. The Local Plan will seek to ensure a net gain in biodiversity. It states that:
Development that results in a net loss of sites and species of ecological value will not be permitted.
Sites and species important for biodiversity and geodiversity will be protected. Planning permission will not be granted for any development that would have an adverse impact on sites of national or international importance (the SAC and SSSIs), and development will not be permitted on these sites, save where related to and required for the maintenance or enhancement of the site’s importance for biodiversity or geodiversity.
Development proposed on land immediately adjacent to the SSSIs should be designed with a buffer to avoid disturbance to the SSSIs during the construction period.
On sites of local importance for wildlife, including Local Wildlife Sites, Local Geological Sites and Oxford City Wildlife Sites, on sites that have a biodiversity network function, and where there are species and habitats of importance for biodiversity that do not meet criteria for individual protection, development will only be permitted in exceptional circumstances whereby:
a) there is an exceptional need for the new development and the need cannot be met by development on an alternative site with less biodiversity interest; and
b) adequate onsite mitigation measures to achieve a net gain of biodiversity are proposed; and
c) where this is shown not to be feasible then compensation measures will be required, secured by a planning obligation.
Compensation and mitigation measures must offset the loss and achieve an overall net gain for biodiversity. For all major developments proposed on greenfield sites or brownfield sites that have become vegetated, this should be measured through use of a recognised biodiversity calculator. To demonstrate an overall net gain for biodiversity, the biodiversity calculator should demonstrate an improvement of 5% or more from the existing situation. Offsetting measures are likely to include identification of appropriate off- site locations/projects for improvement, which should be within the relevant Conservation Target Area if appropriate, or within the locality of the site. When assessing whether a site is suitable for compensation, consideration will be given to the access, enjoyment and connection to nature that the biodiversity site to be lost has brought to a locality. A management and monitoring plan might be required for larger sites. The calculation should be applied to the whole site.
The Oxford City Council’s Planning Policy Team (PPT) have produced Technical Advice Note (TAN) 9 on titled ‘Green Spaces’ in January 20217. Within TAN 9 it states that whilst no specific biodiversity calculator mandated for use by Policy G2, developers would need to be clear and specific as to which methodology is being followed in order for the PPT to effectively assess its merits.
1.6 Oxfordshire County Council
Oxfordshire county council state that ‘All new developments will need to demonstrate that a measurable net gain in biodiversity will be achieved, in accordance with the National Planning
6 Oxford City Council (2020). Policy G2 - Protection of biodiversity and geo-diversity. Downloaded from: https://www.oxford.gov.uk/downloads/file/7380/adopted_oxford_local_plan_2036. Last accessed: 29/04/2021. 7 Oxford City Council, Planning Policy Team. 2021. Green Spaces. Technical Advice Note (TAN) 9 [online]. Downloaded from https://www.oxford.gov.uk/downloads/file/7501/tan_9_green_spaces. Last accessed: 29/04/2021.
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Policy Framework 2019. A useful way to demonstrate that a measurable gain in biodiversity is achieved is through the use of a metric, such as the metric produced by DEFRA.’8
1.7 University of Oxford Policy
In March 2021, the University of Oxford published an Environmental Sustainability Strategy9. This document sets out how the University are targeting net zero carob and biodiversity net gain by 2035 to address the global challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss within the organisation. The document states the following when setting out its targets to achieve biodiversity net gain:
‘Our greatest impact on biodiversity is from our operations and supply chain. These impacts will be identified, avoided and reduced. We will achieve a net gain in biodiversity through avoidance and reduction of the negative impact of our operations and supply chain, biodiversity enhancements on and off the estate, achievement of a 20% net gain on all new developments and biodiversity offsetting.’
‘Set a target of quantifiable biodiversity net gain of 20% for all development projects on University land, achieved and measured in accordance with industry-standard best practice.’
8Oxfordshire County Council. Biodiversity and planning [online]. Downloaded from: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/environment-and-planning/countryside/natural-environment/environmental-policy-and- planning/biodiversity-and-planning. Last accessed: 29/04/2021. 9 University of Oxford, Environmental Sustainability Strategy. 2021. [online]. Available at: https://sustainability.admin.ox.ac.uk/files/environmentalsustainabilitystrategy.pdf. Last accessed: 29/04/2021.
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2. METHODOLOGY
The methodology used for this BNG assessment is in line with current published good practice guidance from the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) and Natural England10, and the Natural England Biodiversity Metric v2.0 has been used to quantify the biodiversity change. The good practice principles have been applied, in particular the mitigation hierarchy.
2.1 Desk Study
A desk study was undertaken as part of the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal11 of the site. The purpose of the desk study was to collect existing baseline data about the site and the zone of influence (ZOI) such as the location of designated sites or irreplaceable habitat (ancient woodland and ancient or veteran trees). The following ZOI has been considered:
all European designated sites up to 5 km from the site, including Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Areas (SPA); all statutory designated sites up to 2 km from the site including National Nature Reserves (NNR), Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Local Nature Reserves (LNR); non-statutory designated sites: local Wildlife Sites (LWS) up to 2 km from the site; records of protected species up to 2 km from the site; international and national statutory designated sites with bats as a qualifying feature for designation, up to 10 km from the site; and ancient woodland and ancient or veteran trees located within the site.
Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre (TVERC) was contacted to provide details of designated sites and protected species within 2 km of the site. Due to data ownership restrictions in the reproduction of the TVERC report [Report Ref. TVERC/20/666, dated 13th January 2021], it is not appended to this PEA, but the information provided is summarised in the relevant sections. In addition, the Multi Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside (MAGIC) website12 was searched for supplementary information on statutory sites. This included a search for European Protected Species (EPS) licences issued within 2 km of the site. Supplementary information on the site and its surroundings were obtained from aerial images available from GoogleTM Earth.
In line with BNG guidance, any SAC, SPA, SSSI or irreplaceable habitats identified within the application boundary will not be included within the baseline calculations. Due to their high importance for biodiversity, impacts to these sites/habitats should be avoided at all costs as it is not possible to compensate for them within a reasonable management timeframe.
2.2 Baseline Biodiversity Assessment
2.2.1 Habitat Survey and Condition Assessment
An extended Phase 1 habitat survey of the site was undertaken by Chris Savage MCIEEM on 27th August 2020. Chris is a full member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental management (MCIEEM) with a BSc (Hons) in Ecology and an MSc in Ecological Assessment. Chris has worked professionally as a consultant ecologist since 2013. The weather during the survey period was warm with blue skies and little wind.
10 Natural England (2019). The Biodiversity Metric 2.0 (JP029). Available at: http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/5850908674228224 11 Ramboll (2021). 1620009366_4_PEA_Old Road Campus_University of Oxford. 12 www.magic.gov.uk, accessed January 2021.
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The survey involved a site walkover and preliminary assessment of key habitats, land use and ecological features, particularly focusing on areas of natural interest which will be affected by the proposed development. The main habitats present were recorded using standard Phase 1 habitat survey methodology as described in the Handbook for Phase 1 Habitat Survey (JNCC, 201013). The Phase 1 habitats were translated to UKHab habitats using the translation tool within the Biodiversity Metric. In addition to general habitat classification, a list was compiled of observed plant species (using the nomenclature of Stace, 201014, with common and Latin names referred to in the first instance after which only the common names are used). The abundance of each species was estimated for each habitat respectively using standard ‘DAFOR’ codes:
D = Dominant. A = Abundant. F = Frequent. O = Occasional. R = Rare.
The habitat condition assessment (HCA) was undertaken as a desk-based exercise based on the ecologist’s knowledge of the site and target notes. The Natural England Farm Environment Plan (FEP) surveyors’ manual15 was used and condition scores were assigned as shown in Table 2.1.
Table 2.1: Habitats and Condition Scoring
FEP Criteria Condition Score
Passes all criteria Good
Fails one criterion Moderate
Fails two or more criterion Poor
2.2.2 Habitat Distinctiveness, Connectivity and Strategic Significance
Distinctiveness per habitat type was determined by the Natural England metric. The only difference to this may be if Habitats of Principal Importance (HPI) were recorded.
The connectivity score per habitat polygon was based upon the distinctiveness score, where:
Low and medium distinctiveness = low connectivity High and very high distinctiveness = medium connectivity
The strategic significance rating was assigned based upon the biodiversity value of the local surroundings, as determined by checking local biodiversity plans and sites (LBAPs, GI, Nature Recovery Areas, LNRs, SINCs, etc) and checking if any of the habitats were strategically significant for a rare species (e.g. critical for home range, functionally important for the species, etc.).
Within area formally identified in local strategy = high significance Location desirable but not in local strategy = medium significance Area/compensation not in local strategy/no local strategy = low significance
13 Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) (2010). Handbook for Phase 1 habitat survey – a technique for environmental audit. JNCC Peterborough. 14 Stace, C. (2010) New Flora of the British Isles 3rd Edition. Cambridge University Press 15 Natural England (2010). Higher Level Stewardship Farm Environment Plan (FEP) Manual: Technical Guidance on the Completion of the FEP and Identification, Condition Assessment and Recording of HLS FEP Features. Third Edition. NE. Peterborough.
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2.2.3 Baseline Biodiversity Calculation
The biodiversity unit (BU) score per area-based habitat was calculated via the metric using the habitat area (in hectares) and the quality factors (distinctiveness, condition, connectivity and strategic significance) and their assigned values. The sum of all the BUs provided the area-based habitat biodiversity baseline.
Linear features are calculated using the same quality factors and for hedgerows are recorded as hedgerow units (HU) and for rivers recorded as river units (RU)
Any individual/street trees found on-site which did not form part of a Phase 1 habitat type were noted. The ‘Street Tree Helper’ section of the metric was used to calculate the area of street trees and they were entered as an area-base habitat in the metric.
2.3 Post-development Biodiversity Assessment
2.3.1 Post-development Habitats and Target Condition
The post-development habitat types were determined based upon the landscape typologies plan (P20110-00-001-GIL-0100 Rev 11) and translated into UKHab habitat classification and the professional judgement of the ecologist. These are shown on the ‘UK Habitat Classification - Post- development’ Figure in Appendix 2.
Individual trees not forming part of a UKHab habitat type (and not considered a line of trees) have been entered into the ‘Street Tree Helper’ section of the metric to calculate a total area (ha). A woodland habitat type deemed most appropriate for those trees, collectively, was assigned. In this study, the woodland habitat most closely matched the UKHab type of ‘Urban – Street tree’ and a target condition of moderate was applied.
The target condition of the post-development habitats has been assigned based upon the expert judgement of the ecologist and the future management aspirations of the site.
2.3.2 Habitat Distinctiveness, Connectivity and Strategic Significance
The distinctiveness was again assigned by the metric based upon the habitat types entered in the post-development sections of the metric. Habitat connectivity and strategic significance values were assigned following the methodology described in Section 2.2.2.
2.3.3 Temporal and Difficulty Risk Factors
The relevant risk factors for the ‘time to target condition’ and the ‘difficulty to create’ were assigned by the Natural England metric and are deemed appropriate for the proposed development.
2.3.4 Habitat Creation, Enhancement and Accelerated Succession
The BNG process includes a consideration of whether habitats would be newly created, retained and enhanced or, in limited cases, would undergo accelerated succession. The following actions were considered for each habitat polygon on-site and the action entered into the metric:
Habitat lost to permanent development; Habitat lost during construction and created post-development; Habitat retained (no improvement); Habitat retained and enhanced; and Habitat retained and improved via accelerated succession.
Accelerated succession is used only when converting grassland (improved or poor-semi improved) to woodland, where the grassland is retained in the process (e.g. where whips are planted in a grassland and subsequent conversion to woodland occurs over time).
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2.4 Biodiversity Metric
Natural England updated the Defra metric used in this assessment in 2019 and published the biodiversity metric v2.0. Due to the suite of changes made to the metric it is Natural England’s advice that all new development should utilise this most recent version of the metric rather than use toolkits based upon the now outdated original Defra metric. Due to this advice, this assessment has used the Natural England v2.0 metric.
2.5 Limitations
It should be noted that availability and quality of the data obtained during desk studies is reliant on third party responses. This varies from region to region and for different species groups.
Furthermore, the comprehensiveness of data often depends on the level of coverage, the expertise and experience of the recorder and the submission of records to the local recorder. Accordingly, the conclusions in this report are valid only to the extent that the information provided to Ramboll was accurate, complete and available to Ramboll within the reporting schedule.
The extended Phase 1 habitat survey provides a snapshot of ecological conditions and does not record plants or animals that may be present on-site at different times of the year but were absent at the time of the survey. The absence of a particular species cannot definitely be confirmed by a lack of field signs and only concludes that an indication of its presence was not located during the survey effort.
Despite the time that has passed since the extended Phase 1 habitat survey was undertaken, the survey findings are considered to remain valid, given the urban, highly disturbed nature of the site and the limited importance of the ecological receptors recorded at the site.
The BNG assessment presented here is based on the most up to date red line boundary for the site, as shown in Figure 1.1 and in Appendix 1; the red line boundary was modified to avoid areas of woodland habitat in the west of the site. The post-development plan (Appendix 2) still shows the previous redline boundary, however all calculations have incorporated the area and habitat changes due to the updated red line boundary.
Further changes to the redline boundary may occur and as such the precise details of the BNG achievable on site are liable to change when the landscape scheme is finalised at the detailed design stage and may go up or down. However, this assessment illustrates that a significant net gain can be achieved on the proposed development site, and that even if there was a slight reduction in the total quantity of landscape planting, a net gain for biodiversity would still be achievable.
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3. BIODIVERSITY BASELINE
3.1 Desk Study
3.1.1 Landscape Context
The Site is located in the City of Oxford, Oxfordshire. It comprises an area of existing car parking on the Old Road Campus of the University of Oxford. Within the site an area mixed deciduous woodland, dense scrub, areas of introduced shrub planting and a small area of amenity grassland are present. Semi-scattered coniferous trees are planted within the car park.
Mixed deciduous woodland bounds the site to the north and east with roads and residential housing beyond. To the south of the site lie university buildings with residential areas beyond. An area of dense scrub with mixed deciduous woodland bounds the site to the west, with a watercourse named Boundary Brook and residential housing beyond.
3.1.2 Designated Sites
Statutory Sites
There are no SPAs or Ramsar sites within 5 km of the site.
There is one SAC present within 5 km of the site. This is Oxford Meadows SAC, approximately 4,090 m northwest of the site. This 267.4 hectare site is designated for lowland hay meadow habitat with meadow foxtail Alopecurus pratensis and great burnet Sanguisorba officinalis, in the Thames Valley. Oxford Meadows SAC is also designated because the area of Port Meadow within the Oxford Meadows SAC is the larger of only two known sites in the UK for creeping marshwort Apium repens.
No SACs designated for bats are present within 10 km of the site.
Five SSSIs (of which three are designated for nature conservation and two are designated for geological interest) and two Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) designated for geological interest are located within 2 km of the site. The nature conservation designations are described in further detail in Table 3.1. There are no LNRs designated for nature conservation within 2 km of the site.
Table 3.1: Statutory Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation within 2 km of the Site
Location Area Name Type (in relation to Reason for designation (ha) site)
Lye Valley SSSI 590 m east 2.34 One of the best recorded examples of a calcareous valley fen in southern England.
Brasenose Wood SSSI 1,504 m east 109.24 Brasenose Wood has a well-defined and Shotover Hill coppice-with-standards structure. The greater part of the wood is an ancient remnant of Shotover Forest dating from the thirteenth century. The flora is exceptionally rich with 221 recorded vascular plant species including 46 characteristic of ancient woodland.
New Marston SSSI 1,750 west 44.70 New Marston Meadows are a series of Meadows agriculturally unimproved neutral meadows on the floodplain of the River Cherwell.
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The site lies within the Impact Risk Zone (IRZ) for Lye Valley SSSI for which the local planning authority are required to assess if there will be likely impacts upon this SSSI from the proposed development. Although Lye Valley SSSI lies in a separate river corridor this designated site lies approximately 590 m of the site at its nearest point and the local planning authority may conduct an assessment of likely impacts of the development.
Non-Statutory Sites
TVERC identified a total of 20 different non-statutory Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) located within 2 km of the site. In Oxfordshire, there are different categories of SINCs found within 2 km of the site. These include nine Oxford City Wildlife Sites (OCWSs), four Oxfordshire Local Wildlife Sites (OLWS), three Conservation Target Areas (CTAs) and one Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) Reserve. In addition, there are three Oxfordshire Local Geological Sites (OLGS) present within 2 km of the site. These are listed in Table 3.2. No further designated sites are present within 2 km of the site.
Table 3.2: Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation within 2 km of the Site
Area Name Type Location Reason for designation (ha)
Warnefod OCWS 152 m south 5.8 Rough grassland within the Lye Hospital Meadow Valley. On its northern edge is a & Orchard traditional orchard present since World War II.
Warneford OCWS 465 m south 6.9 Semi-improved grassland with Meadow & trees and shrubs. Habitat for Orchard invertebrates and bryophytes.
Lye Valley & OLWS 470 m south 34.3 Calcareous tufa depositing Cowley Marsh springs along the valley sides, wet woodland, fen, secondary woodland and species-rich rough grassland. Areas of grassland and scrub within Southfield Golf Course.
Rock Edge (aka OLGS 675 m east Unknown Urban nature reserve which has Crossroads important Corallian deposits Quarry) unique in the county.
Shotover CTA 1119 east 554.0 A variety of habitats including heathland, lowland mixed deciduous woodland, lowland meadow, acid grassland, fen, parkland and eutrophic standing water.
Magdalen Quarry OLGS 1199 m Unknown Reefs, fossils and Coral Rag northeast Formation unique in extent.
Barrack’s Lane OCWS 1212 m 0.6 Last surviving part of ancient Meadow southwest Cowley Common. Species rich grassland indicative of old unimproved meadows.
Open Magdalen OLWS 1123 m 10.1 Ancient woodland with oak southeast dominated Quercus sp woodland.
Old Road Land OCWS 1250 m east 0.6 Woodland and three ponds with some calcareous grassland.
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Table 3.2: Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation within 2 km of the Site
C.S.Lewis BBOWT 1698 m east 2.6 Woodland and a large pond. Reserve
Lye Valley OLGS 671 m east Unknown Calcareous tufa deposits, contrasting with iron-rich areas around other springs, seepages and flushes. The formation of peat (undated) in the valley floor.
Great Meadow (St CTA 1472 m west 1.5 Formerly an unmanaged Catherine’s meadow now wet woodland and Meadows) scrub with a pond.
Thames & CTA 1542 m west 660.0 Lowland meadows and wet Cherwell at grassland/fen/swamp/reedbed. Oxford
Magdalen OLWS 1662 m west 6.2 A flood meadow with snake’s Meadow head fritillary Fritillaria meleagris.
Headington Hill OCWS 1073 m 0.7 Secondary woodland and Viewpoint northwest invertebrate notable records including purple hairstreak Favonius quercus.
Millhamford Field OLWS 1410 m 3.9 Unimproved grassland and & Quad northwest unimproved lowland meadow with a series of ponds constructed in the south of the site.
New SLINC by OCWS 1676 m 1.7 Tussocky grassland locally New Marston northwest dominated by tall fescue Festuca Meadows arundinacea with meadow fescue Festuca pratensis and red fescue Festuca rubra.
Boundary Brook OCWS 1895 m 0.8 Former allotment with created Nature Reserve southwest habitats including a hay meadow, cornfield, broadleaved woodland, rough grassland, orchard and pond.
Peasmoor Piece OCWS 1922 m 1.2 Scrubby secondary woodland northwest with small areas of grassland and a small pond. Great crested newts Triturus cristatus have been recorded here.
Park Farm OCWS 1996 m 8.4 Three semi-improved pasture Meadows northwest fields adjacent to New Marston SSSI. Peasmoor Brook runs through the site. Oxfordshire Rare Plants Register species slender spike-rush Eleocharis uniglumis and strawberry clover Trifloium fragiferum recorded.
3.1.3 Irreplaceable Habitat
No ancient woodland and ancient or veteran trees were found to be present within the site.
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3.2 Habitat Survey and Condition Assessment
The habitats found on-site are shown in Appendix 1 and detailed in Table 3.3, with the Phase 1 habitat type and JNCC code, as determined during the extended Phase 1 habitat survey and the corresponding UKHab habitat type. The condition rating and score of each habitat, as based upon the HCA (using the FEP), is also shown.
Table 3.3: Baseline Habitats, UKHab Translation and Condition
Phase Phase 1 Habitat UKHab Habitat Type Area Condition Condition 1 Type (ha) Rating Score Habitat Code
A1.3.1 Mixed woodland – Woodland and forest – 0.04 Poor 1 semi natural lowland mixed deciduous woodland
J1.2 Cultivated/disturbed Urban – Amenity grassland 0.01 Poor 1 land – amenity grassland
J1.4 Introduced shrub Urban – introduced shrub 0.01 Poor 1
J3.6 Buildings Urban – Developed land; 0.01 N/A 0 sealed surface
J5 Other habitat: Urban – Developed land; 0.27 N/A 0 Gravel sealed surface
Other Hardstanding Urban – Developed land; 0.28 N/A 0 sealed surface
A3.2 Coniferous Urban – Street tree 0.01 Moderate 2 parkland/ scattered trees
Total 0.62* N/A N/A
*The total area as shown here does not include the area of ‘Urban-Street trees’, in line with the biodiversity metric.
3.3 Habitat Distinctiveness, Connectivity and Strategic Significance
Table 3.4 shows the assigned distinctiveness, connectivity and strategic significance of each habitat type, as determined using the methodology given in Section 2.2.2.
Table 3.4: Habitats, Distinctiveness, Connectivity and Strategic Significance
UKHab Habitat Type Habitat Ecological Strategic Distinctiveness Connectivity Significance
Woodland and forest – lowland mixed High Medium Medium deciduous woodland
Urban – Amenity grassland Low Low Low
Urban – introduced shrub Low Low Low
Urban – Developed land; sealed surface Very Low Low Low
Urban – Street trees Low Low Low
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3.4 Biodiversity Baseline
Table 3.5 details the ecological baseline, as determined by the metric, with the UKHab habitats shown in order of BU value.
Table 3.5: Biodiversity Baseline
UKHab Habitat Type Suggested Action to Address Total Area Habitat Losses Biodiversity (ha) Units (BUs)
Woodland and forest – lowland mixed Same habitat required 0.29 0.04 deciduous woodland
Urban – Street tree Same distinctiveness or better 0.04 0.01 habitat required
Urban – Amenity grassland Same distinctiveness or better 0.02 0.01 habitat required
Urban – introduced shrub Same distinctiveness or better 0.02 0.01 habitat required
Urban – Developed land; sealed surface Compensation Not Required 0.00 0.56
Total 0.37 0.62
3.5 Linear Habitats
3.5.1 Hedgerows
There is 122.49 m of native species poor hedgerows within the application site, which has, for the purposes of this metric, been rounded to 0.12 km, equivalent to 0.24 HU.
3.5.2 Watercourses
There are no watercourses on site.
3.6 Individual/Street Trees
There are currently 15 scattered coniferous trees within the application site. The trees are young planted trees of a non-native conifer species. Using the Street Tree Helper tool within the biodiversity metric, the estimated area of these trees is 0.01 ha.
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4. POST-DEVELOPMENT BIODIVERSITY
This section assesses the post-development biodiversity of the development site and is based on the illustrative landscape plans produced by Gillespies LLP and saved in Appendix 2.
4.1 Landscape Plan Habitat Types and UK Hab Translation
The landscaping areas/habitats proposed for the development are detailed in Table 4.1, with their equivalent UKHab habitat type translation (undertaken using the professional judgement of a suitably qualified ecologist and the method detailed in Section 2.3).
Table 4.1: Landscape Plan Areas and UKHab Translation
Landscape Plan UKHab Habitat Type
Existing vegetation Woodland and forest – lowland mixed deciduous woodland
Existing hedge Native hedgerow
Proposed hedge Native species rich hedgerow
Proposed planting type 1 Urban – Introduced shrub
Proposed planting type 2 Urban – bioswale
Proposed planting type 3 Urban – Introduced shrub
Proposed planting type 3a Urban – Introduced shrub
Proposed planting type 4 Urban – Introduced shrub
Paving type 5 – Reinforced grass grid Urban – Amenity grassland
Lawn Urban – Amenity grassland
Sedum roof Urban – extensive green roof
4.2 Habitats
A variety of different habitats will be created in the proposed development site, including areas of amenity grassland, introduced shrub and an area of bioswale. Other new habitats will be areas of native species rich hedgerow and an extensive green roof. Whilst some areas of woodland habitat will be retained within the landscape plans, a certain amount will be lost to facilitate the development. Small areas of grassland will also be removed but will be recreated in other areas in the post-development plan. Where possible, these will be managed to maximise the benefit to biodiversity. Table 4.2 shows the baseline habitats, the habitat intervention described in Section 2.3.4 and the post-development habitat type.
Table 4.2: Habitats Pre-construction, the Intervention and UKHab Translation Post- construction
UKHab Habitat Type (Post- UKHab Habitat Type (Baseline) Habitat Intervention Intervention
Woodland and forest - Lowland Habitat retained (no Woodland and forest - Lowland mixed deciduous woodland improvement) mixed deciduous woodland
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Table 4.2: Habitats Pre-construction, the Intervention and UKHab Translation Post- construction
Habitat lost to permanent Building development; Developed Land, sealed surface Native Hedgerow Native Species Rich Hedgerow Urban - Amenity grassland Urban - Bioswale
Urban - Amenity grassland Building Developed Land, sealed Habitat lost to permanent surface development; Native Species Rich Hedgerow Urban - Extensive green roof
Habitat lost during construction and created post- Urban - Amenity grassland development;
Urban – Introduced shrub Building Habitat lost to permanent Developed Land, sealed development; surface
Habitat lost during construction and created post- Urban - Introduced shrub development;
Urban – Developed land; sealed Building surface Developed Land, sealed surface Urban - Extensive green roof
Habitat lost to permanent Native Hedgerow development; Native Species Rich Hedgerow Urban - Amenity grassland Urban - Bioswale Urban - Extensive green roof Urban - Introduced shrub
Habitat lost during Building construction and created post- Developed Land, sealed development; surface
4.3 Post-Development Biodiversity
Table 4.3 details the post-development habitats and their corresponding biodiversity unit score based on the current illustrative scheme, as determined by the metric, with the habitats shown in order of BU delivered.
Table 4.3: Post-development Habitats, Habitat Action, Target Habitat Condition and BU Delivered
UKHab Habitat Type Area (ha) Habitat Target Total BU Action Condition Delivered
Woodland and forest - Lowland 0.02 Retained Poor 0.15 mixed deciduous woodland
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Table 4.3: Post-development Habitats, Habitat Action, Target Habitat Condition and BU Delivered
Urban - Extensive green roof 0.03 Creation Moderate 0.14
Urban - Street Tree 0.03 Creation Moderate 0.14
Urban - Amenity grassland 0.03 Creation Poor 0.06
Urban - Bioswale 0.02 Creation Moderate 0.05
Urban - Amenity grassland 0.01 Creation Moderate 0.04
Urban - Introduced shrub 0.01 Creation Moderate 0.04
Urban - Developed land; sealed 0.51 Creation N/A - Other 0.00 surface
TOTAL 0.61* N/A N/A 0.50
*The total area as shown here does not include the area of ‘Urban-Street trees’, in line with the biodiversity metric. The total area is less than 0.62 ha (the total area of the baseline habitats) due to rounding up to two decimal places, as required by the metric.
4.4 Linear Habitats
4.4.1 Hedgerows
The current illustrative landscape scheme shows that 0.05 km of native hedgerow will be retained in the northern portion of the site. In addition, 0.03 km of native species rich hedgerow will be created in the east of the site. The post-development hedgerow units delivered would, therefore, be 0.23 HU. Table 4.4 shows all hedgerow habitats, both retained and created on site post- development.
Table 4.4: UKHab Hedgerow Types, Length and Condition
UKHab Hedgerow Type Length (km) Condition Hedgerow Rating units
Native Hedgerow 0.05 Poor 0.10
Native Species Rich Hedgerow 0.03 Moderate 0.13
Total 0.08 N/A 0.23
4.4.2 Watercourses
There are no watercourses on the site.
4.5 Individual/Street Trees
The development will require the removal of 15 small coniferous trees which were planted in the gravel car park within the development site. The landscape plan proposes that 8 trees will be planted (7 broadleaved and 1 conifer). Using the Street Tree Helper tool in the biodiversity metric, the estimated root area of the new trees (assuming that all eight are of a medium size when they reach target condition) is 0.03 ha. These have been included as ‘Urban – Street tree’ in Table 4.3. Please note this area of 0.03 ha does not contribute to the overall area in Table 4.3.
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5. CALCULATION OF BIODIVERSITY CHANGE
5.1 Quantitative Biodiversity Change
This section details the biodiversity unit changes between the baseline and the post-development site. Table 5.1 shows the calculation of change for area-based habitats and hedgerows, pre- and post-development, with the outcome for biodiversity.
Table 5.1: Baseline Biodiversity, Post-development Biodiversity and Biodiversity Change
Biodiversity Baseline Baseline Units Post- Post- Outcome Feature (area (ha) (BU/HU) development development /length (km)) (area (ha) (BU/HU) /length (km)
Area-based 0.62 0.37 0.62 0.52 +40.32% Habitats = Net gain
Hedgerows 0.12 0.24 0.08 0.23 -2.27% =No net loss
The final change is a 40.32 % net gain for area-based habitats and a decrease of 0.01 HU or - 2.27 % caused by the net loss of 41.7 m of hedgerow. These biodiversity gains are greater than the 5 % net gain required by the Oxford Local Plan, the 10 % required by Oxfordshire County Council, and the 20 % outlined by the University of Oxford.
Whilst there is a loss of hedgerow, the 2018 BREEAM Ecology Calculation Methodology16 class this as ‘no net loss for habitats assessed’ on the basis it is between 95% and 104% of the baseline value. In addition, whilst a considerable length of hedgerow is being lost, native species rich hedgerow is being created post-development thus reducing the total loss of habitat units.
Table 5.2 shows the changes per broad habitat group, along with the overall change for each group.
Table 5.2: Baseline Biodiversity, Post-development Biodiversity and Biodiversity Change per Habitat Group
Total Baseline Post-development Overall Change Site (Pre-development) Units
Habitat Baseline Baseline Post- Post- Area BU Group Area/Length Units development development Change Change (ha/km) (BU/HU) Area/Length Units (ha) (ha/km) (BU/HU)
Woodland 0.04 0.29 0.02 0.15 -0.02 -0.14 and forest
Urban 0.58 0.08 0.60 0.37 +0.02 +0.37
Comparisons of the broad habitat groups pre- and post-developments highlight a slight loss for woodland and forest habitat. However, the biodiversity metric accounts for a total loss of woodland habitat to allow for the proposed footpath linking the development to Old Road. The landscape plan has included designs to avoid impacts to the root zones and tree canopy and as such only understory vegetation will be lost. Similarly, all areas of canopy overhang – either over
16 BREEAM UK (2018b). GN36 - BREEAM, CEEQUAL and HQM Ecology Calculation Methodology
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buildings or walkways - will be retained and not lost during construction. In addition to this, the inclusion of seven medium sized (at maturity) broadleaved trees creates a habitat area in the metric which is greater than the area of woodland habitat loss. These issues are discussed in more detail in section 6.
5.2 Qualitative Biodiversity Change
The proposed development and landscaping will bring further benefits for biodiversity with features such as broadleaved trees, providing habitats for birds. In addition, areas of amenity grassland with wildflower-rich planting (on the assumption it is managed to allow it to flower) will provide nectar and pollen suitable for pollinators (which meets with the UK Government’s aspirations in the National Pollinator Strategy17). The provision of bird and bat boxes by the developers within the woodland habitat (although outside the redline boundary) meets section 5.23 of the Oxford Local Plan18 which describes how opportunities should be taken to enhance biodiversity and create new habitats in new developments. The retention of hedgerow and the creation of native species rich hedgerow will provide potential nesting opportunities for birds within the site.
17 Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, 2018. National Pollinator Strategy: Implementation Plan, 2018-2021 [online]. Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/766200/nps- implementation-plan-2018-2021.pdf Last accessed: 29/04/2021 18 Oxford City Council (2020). Policy G2 - Protection of biodiversity and geo-diversity. Available at: https://www.oxford.gov.uk/downloads/file/7380/adopted_oxford_local_plan_2036. Last accessed: 29/04/2021.
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6. DISCUSSION
The BNG assessment has found that with the current proposed landscape design, it is possible for the proposed development to achieve a 40.32 % net gain for area-based habitats. This is a significant net gain for the biodiversity of the site, in excess of the 5 % net gain required by the Oxford Local Plan, the 10 % required by Oxfordshire County Council, and the 20 % outlined by the University of Oxford.
Whilst there is a 2.27 % loss of hedgerow, this is considered to have achieved ‘no net loss’ on the basis it is between 95% and 104% of the baseline value. In addition, whilst a considerable length of hedgerow is being lost, native species rich hedgerow is being created post-development thus reducing the total loss of habitat units.
Although the assessment has demonstrated that a net gain for biodiversity can be achieved, there is a loss of woodland habitat as a result of the proposed development. This is in part due to the biodiversity metric calculating a full loss of woodland habitat due to the proposed footpath linking the development to Old Road. This footpath has been positioned within the landscape plans (and in consultation with an arborist) in order to prevent the loss of canopy from any overhanging trees in this area, as well as avoiding any impact to the roots of existing trees. Therefore, whilst the metric accounts for loss of woodland habitat in this area, only understory vegetation will be lost and there will be no impact to individual trees. Similarly, all areas of canopy overhang will be retained and not lost during construction therefore limiting to impact to individual trees that were captured in the phase 1 habitat mapping.
In addition, the landscape plan includes the planting of seven broadleaved and one coniferous tree throughout the development which will be medium-sized trees upon reaching maturity (their target condition). Using the Street Tree helper tool in the biodiversity metric, these have an area of 0.03 ha which is greater than the loss of 0.02 ha of woodland habitat.
6.1 Management and Monitoring
Habitats delivered in the landscape scheme should be sympathetically managed for biodiversity to ensure they develop appropriately. A Habitat Management Plan (HMP) should be produced which would describe the long-term management and monitoring of habitats and features suitable for use by wildlife. It would include measures to increase the ecological value of the site following completion of the development and for the long term. This may include measures such as reduced mowing of amenity grassland around the northern areas of the site. This area of amenity grassland has been assigned a target condition of moderate, thus needs to be allowed to develop; reduced mowing and targeted maintenance will achieve this. The avoidance of pesticide use is another measure that will help to increase the ecological viability of the site. The HMP would be suitable for a five- to ten-year period, after which it would be advised that it is reviewed and updated. Management and monitoring of the habitats over a 30-year period would be required to ensure correct development and management of the habitats, in line with the BNG principles.
6.2 Conclusion
With the proposed management and monitoring of the site, the illustrative landscape scheme for the site would achieve significant BNG for habitat areas as required by planning policy. Whilst there are losses to woodland habitat in area, the assessment has shown that net gain is still achievable. Similarly, whilst hedgerow length has been lost, the creation of a native species rich hedgerow in areas of the site has resulted in a no net loss for hedgerow habitats.
At the detailed design stage, the landscape planting may be liable to change, with the post- development biodiversity units changing up or down accordingly. Due to the low baseline biodiversity value of the site and the significant net gain achievable with the current design, any
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minor reductions in the extent of landscape planting and a corresponding reductions in post- development biodiversity units delivered, would not materially change the assessment that the site is able to deliver net gain.
BNG is just one measure of biodiversity and the site (in its designs) would additionally ensure qualitative biodiversity increases, with opportunities to further increase this based on the recommendations made previously in this report, as per Sections 5.2 and 6.1.
The BNG assessment undertaken here shows that it is possible to comfortably achieve a net gain of more than 5 %, as per the Oxford Local Plan as well as achieve the target of 10 % as per Oxfordshire County Council. It has also shown that even with the small loss of woodland habitat, the University of Oxford’s target of 20 % net gain for biodiversity is also achievable.
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APPENDIX 1 BASELINE PHASE 1 HABITAT MAP
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APPENDIX 2 LANDSCAPE PLAN AND POST-DEVELOPMENT PLAN
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