Somerset County Council

Colley Lane Southern Access Road

Outline Landscape Management Plan

For Planning Issue, October 2008 Somerset County Council Colley Lane Southern Access Road Outline Landscape Management Plan

Notice

This document has been produced by ATKINS Ltd for Somerset County Council solely for the purpose of the Outline Landscape Management Plan for the proposed Colley Lane Southern Access Road scheme, Taunton.

It may not be used by any person for any other purpose other than that specified without the express written permission of ATKINS Ltd. Any liability arising out of use by a third party of this document for purposes not wholly connected with the above shall be the responsibility of that party who shall indemnify ATKINS Ltd against all claims costs damages and losses arising out of such use.

Document History

JOB NUMBER: MJ000052 DOCUMENT REF:

MJ000052-CLSAR/022

Purpose and Revision Originated Checked Reviewed Authorised Date Description

O For Planning MND AL EST MND 30.10.08

Revision Description of Changes

- -

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Contents

Section Title Page no.

1.0 Introduction 3

2.0 Description 4

ƒ 2.1 General

ƒ 2.2 Detailed Scheme Description

ƒ 2.3 Baseline Conditions and Landscape Character

ƒ 2.4 Climate

ƒ 2.5 Geology and Hydrology

ƒ 2.6 Land Cover

ƒ 2.7 Fauna

3.0 Evaluation 8

ƒ 3.1 Reasons For Establishment

ƒ 3.2 Evaluation

ƒ 3.3 Features Relevant to Site Management

ƒ 3.4 Broad Management Objectives

4.0 Prescription 10

ƒ 4.1 Projects

ƒ 4.2 Detailed Management Objectives and Work Schedules

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1.0 Introduction

Atkins Ltd has been appointed by Somerset County Council to prepare an Outline Landscape Management Plan for the proposed Colley Lane Southern Access Road scheme.

The purpose of this management plan is to set out the long and short term goals for the soft landscape proposals associated with the development in the interests of the visual amenity, wildlife and nature conservation of the surrounding area. With these goals in mind, the document also provides information for the maintenance of tree planting, amenity/broad leaved shrub planting and long term health of grassland areas.

Although this document sets out long term goals and landscape management practices for the first 5 years of the operation of the new highway scheme, it is not intended to be a ‘frozen’ document that prescribes maintenance procedures for the entire lifespan of the project. The management of habitats and communities is an imprecise science, concerned with intervention within a habitat or community to steer it in a particular direction. In order to undertake such management, assumptions must be made about the direction that a habitat will take. Consequently, it is important that a management plan such as this is encouraged to evolve and develop in parallel with the habitats it oversees. The management plan should be treated as a ‘living’ document to change and adapt as required as the conditions of the site change over time.

Refer to landscape proposals drawings 5049581/LS/LA/006 to 5049581/LS/LA/011 for all landscape scheme proposals.

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2.0 Description

2.1 General

The Colley Lane Southern Access Road (CLSAR) scheme is a new highway scheme in Bridgwater which is proposed to provide access into Colley Lane Industrial Estate from the south.

The new road will run on a north to south alignment from Parrett Way crossing the River Parrett and the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal to Marsh Lane off Showground Road where a new roundabout is proposed.

The Bridgwater Town Transport Study identified the CLSAR as being of primary importance to the re-routing of traffic in Bridgwater. The Colley Lane Industrial Estate can only currently be accessed from the A38 to the north of the estate. Therefore, any vehicles approaching the estate from the south must travel along the A38 Taunton Road and Broadway, before turning back south into the estate via Salmon Parade.

The provision of the CLSAR will enable vehicles to enter and exit the estate to the south without travelling along Broadway and Taunton Road. The creation of a new north to south route onto Colley Lane will provide some spare capacity on Taunton Road. This will assist in the provision of potential sustainable travel along Taunton Road. The road will also provide access to areas of land between the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal and the River Parrett, as well as the area between the River Parrett and the southern units of the Colley Lane Industrial Estate.

2.2 Detailed Scheme Description

The highways scheme has been designed in relation to the highways design standards and safety criteria. To achieve the required levels needed to cross the river while maintaining clear head height levels at the river footpath, the proposed road in this area is higher than the existing ground levels. In order to achieve this change, approximately 1:2 gradient embankments are proposed beyond the footpaths in order to tie the highways proposals into the existing external spaces associated with the development. These embankments are elevated to this gradient where feasible to achieve a minimum land take beyond the road alignment.

A minimum of 2m wide footpaths are proposed which form connections on both sides of the proposed road. Where cycle paths share the footpaths, the overall footpath width is increased.

With regard to landscape proposals throughout the scheme, areas of planting are restricted to the extent of embankments as highlighted above. In each case, the back of footpaths is formed by a pin kerb edge restraint which forms the interface between hard and soft materials (refer to drawing 5049581/LS/LA/011 for indicative embankment details).

To the rear of the edge restraint, a 500mm wide road verge grass mix/maintenance mowing strip is provided. This area forms a level plateau to the top of the embankment before the slope descends at an approximate 1:2 gradient. Between this zone and the base of the embankments, the landscape proposals take a number of intertwining forms.

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Swathes of neutral grassland are combined with swathes of broad leaved shrubs which form visual interest while maintaining a natural, native character throughout the scheme. The combination of grasses and shrubs together with extra heavy standard trees strategically positioned in groups and individual solitaires, forms a complex layering of vegetation typically found within the natural landscapes surrounding the site and local area. They also help to screen long views across the site.

Existing trees have been retained wherever the development permits. In areas where existing trees are removed new trees are proposed to mitigate this removal.

2.3 Landscape Character

The Somerset Levels and Moors is a broad area of low-lying farmland and wetland surrounded and divided up by low hills and ridges which form the Mid Somerset Hills. On the northern boundary, the Mendip Hills rise steeply out of the flat landscape. To the east, the Yeovil Scarplands subside into gentle landforms which extend into the character area.

Landscape character areas present unique features comprising distinct geographical formations of a particular landscape type. The Countryside Agency has carried out an assessment of landscape characters of the English countryside called the Countryside Character Initiative. This initiative includes systematic description of the features and characteristics that make up the landscape of a character area.

The area of the site lies within the “Somerset Levels and Moors/Mid Somerset Hills”, character area 142/3, defined in the Countryside Agency document “Countryside Character Volume 8: South West”.

While the key indicative characteristics of this particular section of the character area include ‘Flat, open landscape of wet pasture, arable and wetland divided up by wet ditches or ‘rhynes’ the CLSAR site is mainly characterised by the large warehouse sheds and associated hard standing open spaces of the Industrial Estate. Though the River Parrett and Taunton and Bridgwater Canal flow across the proposed site, the area is dominated by industrial units and open wasteland. Views towards the north east are dominated by the M5 motorway which has a strong visual impact on the surrounding area

2.4 Climate

The climate of the area is typical of south west England and is highly influenced by its proximity to the sea in either direction, a result of the peninsular landform of Somerset, Devon and Cornwall. Although Bridgwater is located inland, the sea still acts to regulate the climate and maintain the temperature at a mild level throughout the year. The mean average temperature is between 8 and 10 Degrees Celsius. January is the coldest month, with a winter average of 1 or 2 Degrees Celsius, with the summer average around 21 Degrees Celsius. This translates into a relatively long growing season, with 30 to 40 air frost days per year and around 90 ground frost days per year.

The site experiences between 1500 and 1700 hours of sunshine per year, with the most hours of sunshine in July and the least in December. Rainfall is typical of a semi- Mediterranean regime, averaging around 700mm per year, with the highest levels in December and January and the driest period being between April and July. Snowfall is

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uncommon, with a maximum average of 8 to 15 days per year although accumulation of snow cover is extremely rare.

The mean wind speed in the area is 10 knots or 12 miles per hour during the calmer spring and summer months from April to September, with the autumn and winter experiencing stronger winds with a mean of 13 knots or 15 miles per hour from October to March. The prevailing wind direction is from the South West, a result of Atlantic depressions passing by the UK, and often moving through to West or Northwest. Strong Northeast winds can also be experienced with the Bristol Channel acting as a funnel for depressions.

2.5 Geology and Hydrology

The gently sloping low areas of the Somerset Levels and Moors/Mid Somerset Hills are underlain mainly by Mercia Mudstone, from the Triassic period and Lower Lias Clay, of the Jurassic period. The soils in the area are typically calcareous clay and stagnogley. However, the proximity of the site to the River Parrett has resulted in a non calcareous soil, 541w-Newnham, which is river terrace drift made up of reddish, coarse and fine loamy soils laid over gravel.

The area is drained by the River Parrett and its tributaries. The Parrett flows east, then north to the Bristol Channel.

2.6 Land Cover

The habitats surveyed along the proposed road are generally low in species diversity. The only exceptions are existing ditches and adjoining land and the more floristically rich areas of hay meadow in and beyond the site.

All the habitats are of low or very low ecological importance, the principal value being in the undisturbed character of most of the areas. Even the most diverse communities are of very limited value, being small with little scope for expansion or increase in diversity and few links to other areas of similar habitat. All areas are vulnerable to nutrient enrichment, pollution or disruption from human activity.

Though the River Parrett and the Taunton and Bridgwater Canal are designated as Local Wildlife sites and are notable for the presence of Yellow Water-Lily and Common Hornwort species, the general ecological value of both waterways is low.

Source – CLSAR Ecological Survey (July 2006 – October 2007) by Country Contracts.

2.7 Fauna

A number of species live in and around the proposed site and the protection or creation of habitat for these species has been considered in the development of the scheme. The more prominent wildlife species expected to be encountered throughout the scheme include Badgers, Otters, Water Voles, at least five species of bat including Common and Soprano Pipistrelle, Doubleton’s, Notable and possibly Serotype. Many bird species are also present including Robins, Chaffinches, and Cetti’s Warbler to name just a few. Reptiles and amphibians are also present.

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Note: Additional information on fauna and site ecology has been commissioned through Somerset County Council as part of a site wide Ecological Survey.

Source – CLSAR Ecological Survey (July 2006 – October 2007) by Country Contracts.

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3.0 Evaluation

3.1 Reasons for Establishment

The CLSAR scheme is being developed by Somerset County Council to improve road safety and which is proposed to provide access into Colley Lane Industrial Estate from the south.

3.2 Evaluation

The scheme provides the opportunity to develop a number of new habitats in an area that is limited in its diversity. The existing condition of the site offers little in the way of habitat for wildlife, other than some riverbank vegetation and existing trees. Beyond these areas industrial units, zones of under used hard standing and wasteland dominate.

The new development will establish a variety of new plant communities. The most noticeable components will be individual solitaire and groups of extra heavy standard tree planting proposed along the full length of the site. Swathes of broad-leaved shrubs and neutral grasslands will also be present to add year round visual interest to the scheme.

The neutral grassland areas will contain a mixture of grasses and wildflowers which will provide attractive habitats for insects and birds. The broad leaved shrub areas, while also providing wildlife habitats, will help to screen areas of derelict land alongside the proposed highway.

3.3 Features Relevant to Site Management

A number of factors that will affect site management must be considered before the formulation of management objectives. These include ecological factors, human-induced trends, external factors and other non-legal obligations.

Ecological factors include natural succession and the impact of possible flooding/water logging from the River Parrett. During the colonisation of bare ground, a site will go through a series of successional changes involving the gradual replacement of certain species by others and the development of animal communities. In the United Kingdom the stable habitat or climax community is generally broad-leaved woodland. Many of the grassland species could be lost if natural succession were allowed to proceed. Since it is desirable to maintain a variety of habitats it follows that it is necessary to curtail natural succession and the loss of species diversity associated with it.

The flooding of the River Parrett and its tributaries can also have an impact on the management of the scheme. The long term inundation of areas with water could potentially inhibit the establishment of or even eliminate certain plant communities. Water levels should be monitored and appropriate measures taken to ensure the protection of vegetation from potential water logging.

A number of human-induced trends can also impact the plant communities, as well as certain maintenance operations associated with the highway development. Increased exhaust fumes from vehicles using the CLSAR could inhibit plant establishment and

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growth. Increased runoff from the large area of hard surfacing and pollutants such as oil and gasoline could have an impact on the quality of groundwater available to plant communities. Automotive accidents or collisions with trees or planted areas could result in physical damage to site vegetation. Given the nature of the sites use and position along a major road and public footpaths, there is also a strong risk of random acts of vandalism that may physically damage site vegetation and inhibit growth and establishment.

Further consideration will need to be given to any ground contamination within the existing site. Further liaison with the geotechnical and environmental consultants will be undertaken in order to control potential contaminants and mitigate any effects on the landscape proposals to ensure any future scheme is not affected by any pollutants.

A final factor to be considered is the safety and comfort of the public using the associated footpaths. Vegetation will need to be managed such that good visibility is maintained and that lighting is not obscured.

3.4 Broad Management Objectives

The scheme as designed provides for the following broad objectives:

ƒ Enhancement of the Landscape – to maintain and develop the proposals for the planting scheme such that they are integrated with the surrounding landscape.

ƒ Nature Conservation and Biodiversity – to create and maintain habitat types where possible and to encourage a greater bio-diversity which is sustainable within the limits of the site.

ƒ Recreation/Education – to enhance local use of the site for passive recreation such as walking and for the appreciation of the natural environment.

ƒ Visual Amenity – to provide a pleasant, attractive pedestrian route that is visually pleasing and safe for commuters and pedestrians, through the rapid establishment of plant material with the resultant total ground cover helping to suppress weed growth and reduce maintenance requirements. This objective also includes the screening of various elements to reduce their visual impact.

ƒ User Safety – to ensure the health and safety of all users, all design proposals shall be in line with H&S requirements including warning signage at water bodies and clear way-marking. These items will need to be included as part of the hard landscape proposals set out by SCC. All proposals shall be compliant with ‘Disability Discrimination Act’ (DDA) and ‘Access for All’ requirements. The landscape proposals also take into account a perceived safety throughout the scheme. Through the management and maintenance of the proposed scheme, vegetation shall be managed in a way that prevents overgrown plants forming dark, enclosed spaces where people feel unsafe and threatened. In conjunction with this, vegetation including tree branches and shrub density shall be managed to maintain site lines and view for motorists.

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4.0 Prescription

4.1 Projects

The following project tables summarise the total management requirements for the CLSAR scheme for the first 5 years of operation and beyond. This information shall not be treated as the definitive maintenance schedule, it should be treated as a starting point only. It shall be reviewed on a continuous basis following site visits throughout the life of the development. Climate change conditions shall be reviewed to ensure that the most productive maintenance methods are developed over time to respond to changes in conditions.

Projects have been allocated priorities in order to aid the management of resources as follows (Priority 1 being the highest and 3 the lowest): ƒ Priority 1: to meet legal obligations and safety requirements ƒ Priority 2: to maintain the wildlife value of the site and its value to local people ƒ Priority 3: to enhance the sites value for wildlife and local residents

Area Prescription Priority Description Neutral Grassland Mowing 2 In the first year, grassland areas should be cut in October for spring seeded grass to allow wildflowers to shed their seeds, or May and October for autumn seeded grasses. The cut height should be between 4 and 7cm. In subsequent years cuts shall take place in March and September of each year to a height of between 25 and 30cm. This will reduce the harmful effects on invertebrate populations and help maintain a variety of different grassland species.

Cuttings left in-situ will cause nutrient enrichment, smother small plants and prevent seeds from reaching the soil surface and regerminating. It is therefore important to remove the cuttings.

Medium Priority: If an area of grassland is missed it is unlikely to revert to scrub in the space of a year. However, these areas should not be allowed to become unsafe or to present any risk to site security or public safety.

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Area Prescription Priority Description Broad Leaved Shrubs Shrub Cutting 3 Cutting should be carried out on a rotational basis to maintain patches of shrubs at different stages of growth from freshly cut to dense thickets. Cutting should take place at three to five year intervals. When cutting scrub aim to minimise the visual impact by concealing the straight edges of the block and creating paths, both for amenity and to increase habitat edge. Pruning shall be carried out to ensure dark, overgrown spaces are avoided. Shrubs shall be maintained to ensure motorist site lines are maintained

Medium Priority: Missing a year will not make a considerable difference to the structure of the planting and its associated open spaces, but may become a problem if left for too long and light levels are reduced by a closed canopy. However, these areas should not be allowed to become unsafe or to present any risk to site security or public safety.

Broad Leaved Shrubs Grass Cutting 3 Areas of neutral grassland within woodland areas should be carefully strimmed rather than mown to allow trees and shrubs to grow above the grasses and to avoid damage to features such as anthills.

Medium Priority: It is important to remove grasses from these areas before it becomes established and overgrows the trees and shrubs, thereby reducing species diversity.

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Area Prescription Priority Description Road Verge Grass Mowing 1 Cut at least once per week to a height of 50mm Areas from March through November as required. Arisings to be left as a mulch following the first cut. Operatives must ensure that this intensive mowing or strimming regime that takes place to road verge grass areas only. This area extends 500mm into the proposed embankments from the back of footpath. This cutting regime shall not take place beyond this zone where neutral grassland has been sown

High Priority: In order to create a good impression for users areas should be well maintained at all times.

Individual Trees Pruning 1 Specimen trees will need to be pruned to maintain forms typical of respective species and to ensure the safety of users. Clear stem heights shall be uniform. Pruning shall be carried out to ensure dark, overgrown spaces are avoided. Trees shall be maintained to ensure motorist site lines are maintained

High Priority: In order to create a good impression for users and to ensure public safety, the trees and shrubs should be well maintained at all times.

Vegetation Litter Removal 2 Litter will reduce public satisfaction and may be a danger to wildlife.

Monitoring 1 Continually re-assess whether or not habitat objectives set in the Management Plan have been achieved.

This will provide information to quantify and evaluate the effects of management operations on site, i.e. what was done and what happened? Performance of key species should be reviewed in order that management techniques may be refined.

Management Plan The successes and failings of the management Review plan should be reviewed every five years. The first review should take place one year before the expiration of this management plan so as to ensure a suitable management plan is in existence when the current plan expires.

The descriptive may remain unaltered while the prescriptive should be flexible and evolving. Plans need to be updated to take into account new information, changes that occur and new extrinsic threats.

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4.2 Detailed Management Objectives and Work Schedules

The following descriptions and tables outline maintenance practices for the proposed highway scheme for the first five years of operation. After this period, the broad maintenance goals should be reviewed and the detailed practices revised and adjusted as required to meet these goals.

Grassland - Neutral Grassland

Grassland areas should be managed to produce a species rich sward with a mix of grasses and wild flowers. Cuttings should be removed to prevent nutrient build-up in the grassland areas and species should be monitored to prevent grasses from dominating. The grassland should be divided into 2 areas to be cut in alternate years, in order to reduce the harmful effects of mowing on invertebrates and to provide habitat for prey species such as water voles.

OPERATIONS Years J F M A M J J A S O N D Comment General Review of Grassland 1 to 5 X Areas Supplementary Seeding 1 to 3 X X X As required Watering 1 to 3 X X X X X X As required if there is a risk of drought Removal of Litter 1 to 5 X X X X X X X X X X X X Pest and Disease Control 1 to 5 X X X X X X X X X X X X (When required) Grass Cut and Strim (1st Year 1 X X Remove by Contractor) clippings. Grass Cut (Years 2-5 by 2 to 5 X X Remove Employer) clippings. September cut to be done after flowering

Note: Operations are shown in the months required and the table does not indicate the number of visits required.

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Shrubs – Broad-Leaved Shrubs

All shrub planting should to be managed in a manner that ultimately achieves a multi-layered structure. This will be achieved by a regime of selective thinning, pruning and coppicing, which will not be commenced until an assessment has been carried out after the first five years of maintenance. Dead and decaying wood should be left on site where safe to provide additional habitat for small mammals, lichen, mosses and invertebrates.

OPERATIONS Years J F M A M J J A S O N D Comment Plant Replacement Inspection 1 to 5 X and General Review Plant Replacement 1 to 5 X X X Watering 1 to 3 X X X X X X Essential operation if there is a risk of drought Re-firming 1 to 2 X X X X X X X X X X X X As required (of newly planted material) Removal of Litter 1 to 5 X X X X X X X X X X X X Pest and Disease Control 1 to 5 X X X X X X X X X X X X (When required) Plant Support and Protection 1 to X X X X X X X X X X X X Until stake is (Check adjust, replace and at removed remove) least year 4 General Pruning 1 to 5 X X X X X X Exact timing dependent on species Slow release fertiliser 1 to 5 X X X Weed Control 1 to 5 X X X X X X X X Prune out dead or damaged 1 to 5 X X Dead or wood damaged branches look unsightly and may encourage vandalism Mulch – Topping Up 1 to 3 X X Coppicing 5 X X Following leaf fall Grass Cut and Strimming 1 to 5 X X X

Note: Operations are shown in the months required and the table does not indicate the number of visits required.

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Grassland – Road Verge Grass Mix

Road verge grass mix areas shall be maintained with operations including mowing, strimming, edging, watering, fertilising, etc. as required to promote a healthy, vigorous sward free from disease, fungal growth, discolouration, scorch or wilt, and to present a neat and tidy appearance typical of an urban lawn.

OPERATIONS Years J F M A M J J A S O N D Comment General Review of Grassland 1 to 5 X Areas Supplementary Seeding 1 to 3 X X X As required Removal of Litter 1 to 5 X X X X X X X X X X X X Pest and Disease Control 1 to 5 X X X X X X X X X X X X (When required) Grass Cut and Strimming 1 to 5 X X X X X X X X X Shape Grass Edge 1 to 5 X X Weed Control – Herbicide 1 to 5 X X X X Fertiliser 1 to 5 X X X X X Aeration 1 to 5 X X

Note: Operations are shown in the months required and the table does not indicate the number of visits required.

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Amenity Landscape Planting – Individual Trees

Extra heavy standard trees are located throughout the landscape scheme proposals. They should be managed to avoid conflict with pedestrian and vehicular users in a manner to retain a form typical of the respective species.

Individual Trees:

OPERATIONS Years J F M A M J J A S O N D Comment Slow release fertiliser 1 to 5 X X X Weed Control 1 to 5 X X X X X X X X Dead or damaged branches Prune out dead or look 1 to 5 X X damaged wood unsightly and may encourage vandalism Work may be required to existing Tree inspection including mature trees 1 to 5 X X existing mature trees following inspection to ensure public safety Mulch – Topping Up 1 to 3 X X

Note: Operations are shown in the months required and the table does not indicate the number of visits required.

16 MJ000052-CLSAR/022_Outline Landscape Management Plan Atkins is one of the world’s leading providers of professional, technology based consultancy and support services. In recent years, it has expanded from its historical base in traditional engineering, management consultancy and property services into related technological consultancy and the management of outsourced facilities. With over 17,000 staff worldwide, Atkins has enormous expertise, providing both breadth and depth of knowledge in an extremely diverse range of disciplines.

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