Natural Environment Evidence Base for the Enterprise Area
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BATH CITY RIVERSIDE ENTERPRISE AREA MASTERPLAN NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EVIDENCE BASE On behalf of Feilden Clegg Bradley for Bath and North East Somerset 06 NOVEMBER 2015 Rev 2 Final BATH RIVER ENTERPRISE ZONE MASTERPLAN BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES EVIDENCE BASE FEILDEN CLEGG BRADLEY FOR BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET NOVEMBER 2013 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The present document constitutes a synopsis of the ecological baseline for the Bath Riverside Enterprise Area. The synopsis goes beyond summarising current ecological resources within the BCREA and its relevant vicinity; the key potential for the enhancement of ecological resources and ecosystem services is also indicated and illustrated. At this stage the document is a working draft for B&NES review and comment. As such certain sections relating to potential and enhancement are not fully complete. Also, whilst generic and representative fauna of the key habitats could have been listed, it is preferred to inform such a listing with the actual records from the Bristol Biological Records Centre, work that is still in progress. The key conclusions of the review work undertaken to this point in terms of biodiversity and ecosystem services are as follows: 1. There are some very significant ecological resources in their own right given the urban context of the BCREA that need to be protected and where possible conservation status enhanced: primary amongst these are bats, Otters, Kingfishers, Peregrines and fish. 2. Whilst there are remarkably vegetated and reasonably dark (given the wider urban context) sections of river bank at the western end of the BCREA, 50% of the banks are hard structure with limited value in terms of hinterland vegetation. 3. Accordingly there is considerable scope for enhancement both of the biodiversity habitat and corridor value of the BCREA and the associated ecosystem services that this can furnish to the residents of and visitors to Bath. 4. The work has identified key ‘nodes’ along the BCREA where wildlife corridors intersect and/or there are features of particular ecological value in the river channel. 5. Enhancement works should in the first instance consolidate and enhance resources at these key nodes. 6. Between the nodes, a variety of possible techniques for installation and retrofit of biodiverse green infrastructure would appear to be both viable and desirable. Some of these techniques should be the subject of pilot applications before implementing at large scale. 7. Key drivers for net enhancement of the BCREA should be the concept of what has come to be known as ‘Biophilic Design’, whereby incorporation of biodiversity, clean water and variations in aspect and view can contribute focally to the wellbeing and productivity of citizens, thereby also resulting in a general increase in the perceived quality of place. Front covers of recently published works that explain the theory behind this approach to urbanism are shown opposite. Biodiversity Evidence Base Nov 2015_Final i/iii Biodiversity by Design BATH RIVER ENTERPRISE ZONE MASTERPLAN BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES EVIDENCE BASE FEILDEN CLEGG BRADLEY FOR BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET NOVEMBER 2013 CONTENTS 4.4.1 River Avon ...................................................................... 10 1.0 SCOPE ....................................................................... 1 2.3 ECOSYSTEM SERVICES ............................................................ 4 4.4.2 Kennet and Avon Canal ................................................. 10 2.3.1 NATIONAL PLANNING POLICY FRAMEWORK ............ 4 4.4.3 Locksbrook Cemetery (East Side) ................................. 10 2.0 POLICY FRAMEWORK ............................................. 2 2.3.2 PLANNING FOR A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT – 4.4.4 Locksbrook Cemetery (West Side) ................................ 10 GOOD PRACTICE GUIDANCE FOR GREEN 4.4.5 Linear Park ..................................................................... 10 2.1 OVERVIEW OF KEY POLICY DOCUMENTS RELATING INFRASTRUCTURE AND BIODIVERSITY ..................... 4 4.4.6 Site Adjacent to Linear Park ........................................... 10 TO BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES .................. 2 2.3.3 BATH AND NORTHEAST SOMERSET DRAFT 4.4.7 Newbridge Slopes .......................................................... 10 4.4.8 Twerton Farm ................................................................. 10 2.1.1 NATIONAL PLANNING POLICY FRAMEWORK ............ 2 CORE DOCUMENT ......................................................... 5 4.4.9 Beacon Hill ..................................................................... 10 2.1.2 UNEP-WCMC (2011) UK NATIONAL ECOSYSTEM 2.3.4 VALUING PEOPLE, PLACE AND NATURE: A 4.4.10 Beechen Cliff .................................................................. 10 ASSESSMENT: UNDERSTANDING NATURE’S GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY FOR BATH 4.4.11 Gainsborough Gardens Woodlands ............................... 10 VALUE TO SOCIETY ...................................................... 2 AND NORTHEAST SOMERSET ..................................... 5 4.4.12 St James’ Cemetery ....................................................... 10 2.1.3 HM GOVERNMENT (2011) ENVIRONMENT WHITE 4.4.13 Bitton to Bath Railway Track .......................................... 10 PAPER: THE NATURAL CHOICE: SECURING THE 3.0 ECOSYSTEM SERVICES AND THE VALUE OF NATURE (ENGLAND) .................................. 2 BIOPHYSICAL ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE ........ 6 2.1.4 ENGLAND BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY (2011): 5.0 BROAD HABITATS ................................................. 13 BIODIVERSITY 2020: A STRATEGY FOR 3.1 BIOPHILIC BENEFITS ................................................................. 6 ENGLAND’S WILDLIFE AND ECOSYSTEM 6.0 WILDLIFE CORRIDORS ......................................... 15 SERVICES ....................................................................... 2 3.2 FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT AND RUN-OFF WATER 2.1.5 THE 'UK POST-2010 BIODIVERSITY FRAMEWORK' TREATMENT ................................................................................ 6 (JULY 2012) ..................................................................... 2 7.0 RIVERS, CANALS, WATER BODIES & MARSH .... 17 2.1.6 PLANNING FOR A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT – 3.3 AIR QUALITY AMELIORATION .................................................. 7 GOOD PRACTICE GUIDANCE FOR GREEN 7.1 GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS AND PROTECTION INFRASTRUCTURE AND BIODIVERSITY ..................... 2 3.3.1 Air Quality Parameters Relating to Bath .......................... 7 STATUS ...................................................................................... 17 2.1.7 BATH AND NORTHEAST SOMERSET: DRAFT 3.3.2 Particulates ...................................................................... 7 CORE STRATEGY .......................................................... 2 3.3.3 Nitrogen Dioxide and other pollutants .............................. 7 7.2 BCREA BASELINE .................................................................... 17 2.1.8 VALUING PEOPLE, PLACE AND NATURE: A 7.2.1 General Distribution, Condition and Trends ................... 17 GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY FOR BATH 3.4 LOCAL HEAT ISLAND REDUCTION .......................................... 8 7.2.2 Associated Plant Species of Importance ....................... 19 AND NORTHEAST SOMERSET ..................................... 2 3.5 THE PHENOMENON OF THE URBAN HEAT ISLAND .............. 8 7.2.3 Associated Invertebrate Species of Importance ............ 19 2.1.9 BATH & NORTHEAST SOMERSET LOCAL 7.2.4 Associated Fish Species of Importance ......................... 19 STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP: SUSTAINABLE 3.5.1 The Impact of Vegetation on UHI..................................... 8 7.2.5 Biodiversity Valuation ..................................................... 19 COMMUNITY STRATEGY 2009 – 2026 ......................... 3 7.2.6 Ecosystem Services ....................................................... 19 3.6 MAINTAINING & ENHANCING PROPERTY VALUES ............... 9 2.2 BIODIVERSITY POLICY: SPECIFICS......................................... 3 7.3 ENHANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES .......................................... 19 2.2.1 NATIONAL PLANNING POLICY FRAMEWORK ............ 3 4.0 DESIGNATIONS ....................................................... 10 7.3.1 General ........................................................................... 19 2.2.2 PLANNING FOR A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT – 7.3.2 Proposed enhancement of nodes .................................. 19 GOOD PRACTICE GUIDANCE FOR GREEN 4.1 STRATEGIC NATURE AREAS ................................................. 10 7.3.3 Proposed enhancement of internodes ........................... 22 INFRASTRUCTURE AND BIODIVERSITY ..................... 3 7.3.4 Natural Reprofiling of Banks .......................................... 22 2.2.3 BATH AND NORTHEAST SOMERSET DRAFT 4.2 EUROPEAN SITES .................................................................... 10 7.3.5 Embayments & Backwaters ........................................... 22 CORE STRATEGY .......................................................... 3 7.3.6 Marginal and emergent aquatics strategy ...................... 27 2.2.4 VALUING PEOPLE, PLACE AND NATURE: A 4.3 LOCAL NATURE RESERVES ................................................... 10 7.3.7 Ponds and Vegetated Sustainable Drainage Systems .. 29 GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY FOR BATH AND NORTHEAST SOMERSET ..................................... 4 4.4 SITES OF NATURE CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE ............ 10 Biodiversity Evidence