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Ecological Appraisal Land west of Ravensden Road, Salph End (1005175) Ecological Appraisal September 2019 Quality Management Client: Manor Oak Homes Project: Land west of Ravensden Road, Salph End Report Title: Ecological Appraisal Project Number: 1005175 File Reference: 5175 EcoAp vf CL/KR Date: 05/09/2019 Copyright The copyright of this document remains with Aspect Ecology. All rights reserved. The contents of this document therefore must not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part for any purpose without the written consent of Aspect Ecology. Confidentiality This report may contain sensitive information relating to protected species. All records of Badger setts must remain confidential. Where this report is circulated publicly or uploaded to online planning portals, reference to Badger setts must be redacted and any maps pertaining to the locations of Badger setts removed from the document. Legal Guidance The information set out within this report in no way constitutes a legal opinion on the relevant legislation (refer to the relevant Appendix for the main provisions of the legislation). The opinion of a legal professional should be sought if further advice is required. Liability This report has been prepared for the exclusive use of the commissioning client and unless otherwise agreed in writing by Aspect Ecology no other party may use, or rely on the contents of the report. No liability is accepted by Aspect Ecology for any use of this report, other than for the purposes for which it was originally prepared and provided. No warranty, express or implied, is made as to the advice in this report. The content of this report is partly based on information provided by third parties; Aspect accepts no liability for any reliance placed on such information. This report is subject to the restrictions and limitations referenced in Aspect Ecology’s standard Terms of Business. Contact Details Aspect Ecology Ltd Hardwick Business Park I Noral Way I Banbury I Oxfordshire OX16 2AF t 01295 279721 e [email protected] w www.aspect-ecology.com Contents Text: Executive Summary ................................................................................................................... 1 1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 2 2 Methodology .................................................................................................................... 3 3 Ecological Designations..................................................................................................... 8 4 Habitats and Ecological Features .................................................................................... 11 5 Faunal Use of the Site ..................................................................................................... 15 6 Mitigation Measures and Ecological Enhancements ...................................................... 24 7 Conclusions ..................................................................................................................... 30 Plans: Plan 5175/ECO1 Site Location Plan 5175/ECO2 Ecological Designations Plan 5175/ECO3 Habitats & Ecological Features Appendices: Appendix 5175/1 Proposed Parameters Plan R G + P Drawing No. 40986 013D Appendix 5175/2 Evaluation Methodology Appendix 5175/2 Desktop Study Data Land west of Ravensden Road, Salph End Ecological Appraisal Executive Summary i) Introduction. Aspect Ecology has been commissioned by Manor Oak Homes to undertake an Ecological Appraisal in respect of proposed development of the site, located west of Ravensden Road, Salph End in Bedfordshire. ii) Proposals. The proposals are for development of the site to provide up to 400 new dwellings, land for a new primary school and associated open space and access. iii) Survey. The site was originally surveyed by Aspect Ecology Ltd in June 2017, with further update survey work undertaken in August 2019. Surveys were based on standard extended Phase 1 methodology. In addition, a general appraisal of faunal species was undertaken to record the potential presence of any protected, rare or notable species, with specific consideration and surveys conducted in respect of bats, Badger and Great Crested Newt. iv) Ecological Designations. The site itself is not subject to any statutory or non-statutory ecological designations. The ecological designation is Putnoe Wood LNR and CWS, which is located approximately 0.3km west of the site. All of the ecological designations in the surrounding area are physically well separated from the site and are therefore unlikely to be adversely affected by the proposals. v) Habitats. The site itself is dominated by intensively managed arable land within 2 fields with associated boundary hedgerows and vegetation. Other habitats are limited to the existing residential property at 25 Hookhams Lane in order to provide access to the site. The proposals have sought to retain and protect habitats of elevated ecological value, namely the existing field boundary features, with considerable buffers of open space provided to ensure these corridors remain fully protected and indeed strengthened and enhanced under the proposals. vi) Protected Species. The site generally offers limited opportunities for protected species, with no specific evidence of any such species present, albeit suitable habitats are present within the surrounding area that could potentially support Great Crested Newt, whilst it is likely that birds nest within suitable habitat at the site and could therefore potentially be adversely affected by the proposals. Appropriate mitigation measures, will minimise potential for adverse effects on faunal species, including Great Crested Newts, whilst careful timing of works be implemented to safeguard nesting birds during relevant site clearance works. vii) Enhancements. The proposals present the opportunity to secure substantial ecological benefits, including additional native habitat planting, new roosting opportunities for bats, and more diverse nesting habitats for birds. viii) Summary. In summary, the proposals have sought to minimise impacts on biodiversity and subject to the implementation of appropriate avoidance, mitigation and compensation measures, it is considered unlikely that the proposals will result in significant harm to ecological receptors. August 2019 Page|1 Land west of Ravensden Road, Salph End Ecological Appraisal 1 Introduction 1.1 Background and Proposals 1.1.1 Aspect Ecology has been commissioned by Manor Oak Homes to undertake an Ecological Appraisal in respect of proposed development of the site, located west of Ravensden Road, Salph End in Bedfordshire, centred at grid reference TL 074 528 (see Plan 5175/ECO1). 1.1.2 The site is proposed for strategic development, including up to 400 new dwellings, land for a new primary school and associated open space and access, for which an outline planning application is proposed, relating to the proposed parameters plan (Appendix 5175/1). 1.2 Site Overview 1.2.1 The site is located west of Ravensden Road and north of Hookhams Lane, at the north west of Salph End. Accordingly, much of the southern and eastern site boundaries are marked by existing residential curtilages associated with individual properties along Ravensden Road and Hookhams Lane, with further development within Salph End beyond. West of the site is Mowsbury Golf Course, whilst north of the site is a small area of woodland with a number of further residential properties along Ravensden Road situated beyond, within Renhold. 1.2.2 The site itself is formed by agricultural land in the form of two large, intensively managed arable fields, with associated boundary vegetation, along with the existing residential property at 27 Hookhams Lane, which is proposed for access from Hookhams Lane. 1.3 Purpose of the Report 1.3.1 This report documents the methods and findings of the baseline ecology surveys and desktop study carried out in order to establish the existing ecological interest of the site, and subsequently provides an appraisal of the likely ecological effects of the proposals. The importance of the habitats and species present is evaluated. Where necessary, avoidance, mitigation and compensation measures are proposed so as to safeguard any significant existing ecological interest within the site and where appropriate, opportunities for ecological enhancement are identified with reference to national conservation priorities and local Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs). August 2019 Page|2 Land west of Ravensden Road, Salph End Ecological Appraisal 2 Methodology 2.1 Desktop Study 2.1.1 In order to compile background information on the site and its immediate surroundings Bedfordshire and Luton Biodiversity Recording and Monitoring Centre (BRMC) was contacted, with data requested on the basis of a search radius of 2km around the site. 2.1.2 Information on statutory designations was obtained from the online Multi-Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside (MAGIC) database, which utilises data provided by Natural England, including an extended search radius (up to 25km in relation to relevant international level ecological designations). In addition, the MAGIC database was searched to identify the known presence of any Priority Habitats within or adjacent the site. 2.1.3 Where information has been obtained from the above sources, this is reproduced at Appendix 5175/2 and on Plan 5175/ECO2, where appropriate. 2.1.4 In addition, where available the Woodland Trust
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