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Land at Hollands Farm, Bourne End Ecological Appraisal Edp3922 R004c

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Land at Hollands Farm, Bourne End Ecological Appraisal Edp3922 R004c Land at Hollands Farm, Bourne End Ecological Appraisal Prepared by: The Environmental Dimension Partnership Ltd On behalf of: Catesby Strategic Land Ltd April 2021 Report Reference edp3922_r004c Land at Hollands Farm, Bourne End Ecological Appraisal edp3922_r004c Contents Executive Summary Section 1 Introduction, Purpose and Context ........................................................................... 1 Section 2 Methodology (Baseline Investigations) .................................................................... 3 Section 3 Results (Baseline Conditions) ................................................................................... 9 Section 4 Details of Proposed Development ......................................................................... 19 Section 5 Predicted Impacts and Mitigation .......................................................................... 21 Section 6 Summary and Conclusions .................................................................................... 33 Appendices Appendix EDP 1 Illustrative Masterplan Appendix EDP 2 Habitat Descriptions and Site Photographs Appendix EDP 3 Hedgerow Regulations Assessment Appendix EDP 4 Bird Survey Appendix EDP 5 Bat Surveys Appendix EDP 6 Badger Survey Report (edp3922_r008) Appendix EDP 7 Reptile Survey Appendix EDP 8 BIA Calculations Plans Plan EDP 1 Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey (edp3922_d005g 04 December 2020 GY/ND) Plan EDP 2 Pilot Breeding Bird Survey (edp3922_d015a 04 December 2020 MJD/ND) Land at Hollands Farm, Bourne End Ecological Appraisal edp3922_r004c Plan EDP 3 Bat Building Roost Assessment and Bat Tree Roost Assessment (edp3922_d006a 04 December 2020 GY/ND) Plan EDP 4 Bat Transect Routes and Anabat Locations (edp3922_d007a 04 December 2020 GY/ND) Plan EDP 5 Bat Activity Survey – May 2019 Dusk Transect (edp3922_d010a 04 December 2020 ZH/ND) Plan EDP 6 Bat Activity Survey – June 2019 Dusk Transect (edp3922_d011a 04 December 2020 ZH/ND) Plan EDP 7 Bat Activity Survey – July 2019 Dusk Transect (edp3922_d012a 04 December 2020 ZH/ND) Plan EDP 8 Bat Activity Survey – August 2019 Dusk and Dawn Transect (edp3922_d013a 04 December 2020 ZH/ND) Plan EDP 9 Bat Activity Survey – September 2019 Dusk Transect (edp3922_d014a 04 December 2020 ZH/ND) Plan EDP 10 Badger Survey (edp3922_d008a 04 December 2020 GY/ND) Plan EDP 11 Reptile Survey Plan (edp3922_d009a 04 December 2020 GY/ND) This version is intended for electronic viewing only Report Ref: edp3922_r004 Author Formatted Peer Review Proofed by/Date 004_DRAFT ND JM JGl - 004a ND - VF CR 031220 004b ND CL - - 004c ND CL - - Land at Hollands Farm, Bourne End Ecological Appraisal edp3922_r004c This page has been left blank intentionally Land at Hollands Farm, Bourne End Ecological Appraisal edp3922_r004c Executive Summary S1 The Environmental Dimension Partnership Ltd (EDP) was commissioned by Catesby Strategic Land Ltd to undertake an Ecological Appraisal of Land at Hollands Farm, Bourne End, Buckinghamshire, within the Local Planning Authority area of Buckinghamshire Council. S2 The baseline ecological investigations, which informed the Ecological Appraisal included a desk study, Extended Phase 1 survey and detailed (Phase 2) surveys relating to hedgerows, breeding birds, roosting and foraging bats, badger and reptiles. All surveys were undertaken with reference to best practice guidance where it exists. S3 EDP’s desk and field-based baseline investigations have identified that no statutory designations are present that would be materially affected by the proposed development though the non-statutory designated Woolman’s Wood Biological Notification Site (400m east) could be indirectly impacted by an increase in recreational pressures in the absence of appropriate mitigation. S4 The habitats on-site are predominantly habitats of only limited (less than Local-level) intrinsic nature conservation value, comprising mainly intensively managed arable land and species-poor semi-improved grassland though with hedgerow and mature tree habitats of Local-level value present as a network through the Site and along the external boundaries. S5 The on-site habitats support populations/assemblages of a number of protected/Priority Species (of Local-level nature conservation value or less) including breeding birds, roosting and foraging barn owl, foraging/commuting and roosting bats, and badger. S6 EDP considers that none of the ecological features present/likely present constitute an ‘in principle’ (significant) ecological constraint. Indeed, the Site has demonstrated an opportunity to deliver a net gain to biodiversity through development in line with national and local planning policy through the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Biodiversity Metric 2.0. S7 Local and national planning policy for the conservation and enhancement of the natural environment aims to minimise impacts, avoid significant harm to biodiversity, and provide a net gain in biodiversity. S8 Accordingly, a proportionate and appropriate ecology strategy response for the avoidance and mitigation of predicted impacts and ecological effects is considered in this report. These measures should be incorporated from the outset as inherent mitigation measures to protect on-site ecology. Measures should include: avoidance and habitat retention measures; those sensitive timings and working methods, which should be implemented at the construction stage and described in detail in an Ecological Construction Method Statement; those habitat enhancement and creation measures, which should be Land at Hollands Farm, Bourne End Ecological Appraisal edp3922_r004c designed and specified in detail within a Soft Landscaping Scheme/Landscape and Ecology Management Plan to ensure that the design vision is achieved in the long-term. S9 At this stage EDP considers that by virtue of the likely limited constraint posed by the ecological features on-site, coupled with the scope for habitat enhancement, the scheme is capable of compliance with wildlife legislation and the relevant national and local planning policy for the conservation of the natural environment. Indeed, the scheme can deliver a net gain for biodiversity overall. Land at Hollands Farm, Bourne End Ecological Appraisal edp3922_r004c Section 1 Introduction, Purpose and Context 1.1 This Preliminary Ecological Appraisal has been prepared by The Environmental Dimension Partnership Ltd (EDP) on behalf of Catesby Strategic Land Ltd (hereafter referred to as ‘the Applicant’). This appraisal considers the ecological implications of the proposed development on Land at Hollands Farm, Bourne End, Buckinghamshire (hereafter referred to as ‘the Site’). 1.2 EDP is an independent environmental planning consultancy with offices in Cirencester, Cardiff and Cheltenham. The practice provides advice to private and public sector clients throughout the UK in the fields of landscape, visual amenity, ecology, archaeology, cultural heritage, arboriculture, agriculture, and masterplanning. Details of the practice can be obtained at our website (www.edp-uk.co.uk). Site Description and Context 1.3 The Site is centered approximately at Ordnance Survey Grid Reference (OSGR) TL 16750 34795. The Local Planning Authority is Buckinghamshire Council. The location and extents of the Site are illustrated on Plan EDP 1. 1.4 The Site measures 19.3 hectares (ha) and is located towards the south of Bourne End, Buckinghamshire, sitting just to the north of Hedsor Road. The Site is comprised of six field parcels divided by mature trees, hedgerows and fence lines. Four of the field parcels are intensively cultivated with arable crops and two support a grassland sward, subdivided by fence lines and grazed by horses. The Site is bounded on all sides by Bourne End village, with dwellings to the north, east and south and industrial and equestrian units to the west. Development Proposals 1.5 The proposals are to be the subject of an outline planning application for residential development of up to 400 dwellings and land for one form entry primary school and with associated infrastructure including roadways, footpaths, parking, landscaping, open space and sustainable drainage. The Illustrative Masterplan for the Site is provided as Appendix EDP 1. 1.6 The ecological sensitivities of the Site have influenced the design of the layout through an iterative design process. Thus, the Illustrative Masterplan incorporates a degree of ‘inherent’ mitigation to avoid or reduce potential adverse ecological effects. 1 Land at Hollands Farm, Bourne End Ecological Appraisal edp3922_r004c Scope of this Appraisal 1.7 This Ecological Appraisal describes the current ecological interests within and around the Site, which have been identified to date through standard desk- and field-based investigations. It will then consider the potential ecological impacts and opportunities for ecological enhancement, in the context of relevant legislation and planning policy. Finally, this appraisal will identify the necessary additional measures to avoid, mitigate or provide compensation for potential impacts, and the mechanisms for securing such measures. 1.8 The remainder of this report is structured as follows: Section 2 summarises the methodology employed to determine the baseline ecological conditions within and around the Site (with further details provided within Appendices and on Plans where appropriate); Section 3 summarises the baseline ecological conditions (with further details also provided within Appendices and on Plans where appropriate)
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