Plot 2, Broadland Gate, Norwich
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Preliminary Ecological Assessment Report Plot 2, Broadland Gate, PREPARED FOR Norwich Rapleys LLP ISSUE JULY 2020 REF: 202002 QUALITY MANAGEMENT Project: Plot 2, Broadland Gate Project reference: 202002 Report title: Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Report author: Tom Moore MCIEEM Document history Draft: 05/07/2020 Issue: 09/07/2020 Client Rapleys LLP Contact details BASEcology Ltd, 103A Beulah Road, Walthamstow, London, E17 9LD This report was written in compliance with British Standard 42020:2013 ‘Biodiversity — Code of practice for planning and development’, the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management’s (CIEEM) Code of Professional Conduct, and CIEEM’s ‘Guidelines for Ecological Report Writing’. The copyright of this document rests with BASEcology Ltd, all rights reserved. ISSUE PLOT 2, BROADLAND GATE PEA REF: 202002 CONTENTS LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................................................................................................ 1 NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................................................... 2 1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................................. 3 1.1 Overview ................................................................................................................................................................... 3 1.2 Aims & Objectives .................................................................................................................................................... 4 1.3 Legislation ................................................................................................................................................................ 4 1.4 Planning & Biodiversity ........................................................................................................................................... 4 1.5 UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework .................................................................................................................. 4 1.6 Broadland District Council Local Plan ................................................................................................................... 5 2 METHODOLOGY .................................................................................................................................................................. 6 2.1 Desk Study ................................................................................................................................................................ 6 2.2 UK Habitat Classification & Preliminary Ecological Appraisal ............................................................................ 6 2.3 Caveats & Limitations .............................................................................................................................................. 7 3 BASELINE ECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS ............................................................................................................................ 8 3.1 Designated Sites ...................................................................................................................................................... 8 3.2 Habitats ..................................................................................................................................................................... 8 3.3 Species & Species Groups ...................................................................................................................................... 9 4 ECOLOGICAL CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MITIGATION AND FURTHER SURVEY ...................................................................................................................................................................... 13 4.2 Designated Sites ..................................................................................................................................................... 13 4.3 Habitats .................................................................................................................................................................... 13 4.4 Species & Species Groups ..................................................................................................................................... 13 4.5 Summary of Key Issues & Recommendations .................................................................................................... 15 5 CONCLUSIONS .................................................................................................................................................................. 16 APPENDIX A – LEGISLATION .................................................................................................................................................... 17 APPENDIX B – SITE PHOTOS .................................................................................................................................................... 18 APPENDIX C – FIGURES ........................................................................................................................................................... 20 JULY 2020 ISSUE PLOT 2, BROADLAND GATE PEA REF: 202002 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS BAP Biodiversity Action Plan CSZ Core Sustenance Zone CWS County Wildlife Site EcIA Ecological Impact Assessment EPSL European Protected Species Licence ES Environmental Statement GCN Great Crested Newt MMU Minimum mapping unit NBAP Norfolk Biodiversity Action Plan NBIS Norfolk Biodiversity Information Service NE Natural England NERC The Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 NPPF National Planning Policy Framework 2019 PEA Preliminary Ecological Appraisal RL Red List S41 Section 41 Habitats / Species SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest UKHab UK Habitat Classification WCA The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended 1 © BASECOLOGY LTD. JULY 2020 ISSUE PLOT 2, BROADLAND GATE PEA REF: 202002 NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY To identify the habitats and species present or potentially present and evaluate their importance, Purpose of the assess the impact of the development proposal and describe any measures necessary to avoid report impacts, reduce impacts or compensate for impacts so that there is no net harm to ecological features. This report is prepared in support of a S73 application submission for the variation of condition 10 of planning permission planning permission 20081773 as amended by 20170827 which forms Description of the a separate reserved matters application specifically for a Lidl foodstore. scheme The survey involved classifying and recording habitat types and features of ecological interest and identified the potential for protected and priority species to be present by assessing habitat Methodology suitability for those species. The survey was undertaken by appropriately qualified and experienced personnel. There are no constraints as the primary habitat on-site (g3c other grassland) is not considered of high conservation value as it is common and widespread at all geographic levels. Potential Constraints indirect effects on nearby mature trees with bat potential can also be avoided/mitigated with the Institute of Lighting Professionals Guidance. The following opportunities for the Plot 2 site have been identified although it is acknowledged that opportunities are somewhat limited given the spatial limitations of the site and that habitat enhancements and planning consent were originally designed and secured for the wider Broadland Gate site (and not individual plots such as Plot 2): Opportunities • Soft landscape to include diverse areas of planting using species of known value to pollinators, and new species-rich hedgerow(s) and scattered trees • Provision of new bird boxes such as Eco Sparrow Tower (https://www.nestbox.co.uk/products/eco-sparrow-tower) and/or Eco Starling Nest Box (https://www.nestbox.co.uk/products/eco-starling-nest-box) Potential impacts upon bats and birds will avoided/reduced by ensuring works follow the following best practice methods of work: Mitigation / Avoidance • Institute of Lighting Professionals Guidance Notes for the Reduction of Obtrusive Light Measures GN01:2011 • Institute of Lighting Professionals Guidance Notes for the Reduction of Obtrusive Light GN08:2018 2 © BASECOLOGY LTD. JULY 2020 ISSUE PLOT 2, BROADLAND GATE PEA REF: 202002 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Overview BASEcology was commissioned by client (Rapleys LLP) on behalf of Lidl Great Britain Ltd to undertake a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) and provide Environmental Statement (ES) commentary for a revised Section 73 application for a commercial development of Broadland Gate, Norwich1. This report focuses on Plot 2 (Lidl) although the accompanying ES commentary provides a reassessment for the wider Broadland Gate site as per guidance from the Local Planning Authority. Figure 1: Broadland Gate Masterplan Broadland Gate is located to the east of Thorpe St Andrew town, on the eastern outskirts of Norwich. The Plot 2 (Lidl) site and surrounding land within Broadland Gate is largely characterised by unmanaged farmland that gently slopes towards the A47 road, which bounds the southern boundary of Broadland Gate. The approximate central Ordnance Survey National Grid Reference of the Plot 2 (Lidl) site is TG 2898