Eaves Green, Chorley Ecological Mitigation and Enhancement Strategy August 2016 TEP Ref: 5170.015 Eaves Green, Chorley Ecological Mitigation and Enhancement Strategy August 2016 TEP Ref: 5170.015 Version 3.0 Prepared by: Marjorie Nadouce TEP Genesis Centre Birchwood Science Park Warrington WA3 7BH Tel: 01925 844004 Fax: 01925 844002 E-mail: [email protected] for Taylor Wimpey 1 Lumsdale Road, Stretford, Manchester, M32 0UT Written: Checked: Approved: MN LG/AP LG/AP Eaves Green, Chorley Ecological Mitigation and Enhancement Strategy CONTENTS PAGE 1.0 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 1 Background .............................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Purpose of Report.................................................................................................... 2 2.0 SITE CONTEXT ...................................................................................................... 4 3.0 BASELINE SURVEY METHODS 2015 .................................................................... 5 4.0 ECOLOGY SURVEYS RESULTS 2015 ................................................................... 6 Desk Study .............................................................................................................. 6 Designated Sites ..................................................................................................... 6 Habitats and Flora ................................................................................................... 7 Birds ........................................................................................................................ 7 Bats ......................................................................................................................... 8 Badger ..................................................................................................................... 9 Hedgehog ...............................................................................................................10 Amphibians .............................................................................................................10 5.0 MITIGATION MEASURES ......................................................................................11 Designated Sites ....................................................................................................11 Habitats and Flora ..................................................................................................11 Birds .......................................................................................................................13 Bats ........................................................................................................................14 Badger ....................................................................................................................15 Hedgehog ...............................................................................................................16 Amphibians .............................................................................................................16 6.0 MITIGATION, ENHANCEMENT & CREATION MEASURES INCORPORATED INTO THE SCHEME DESIGN ................................................................................20 Habitat Creation Measures .....................................................................................20 Wetland Habitats ....................................................................................................20 Birds .......................................................................................................................21 Bats ........................................................................................................................21 Badgers ..................................................................................................................22 Hedgehog ...............................................................................................................22 Amphibians .............................................................................................................23 Invertebrates ...........................................................................................................24 7.0 LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT AND POST-COMPLETION MONITORING ............24 FIGURES Figure 1: Location Plan……………………………………………………………………………….3 APPENDICES Appendix A: Target Notes and Desk Study Results Appendix B: Breeding Birds Survey Results Appendix C: Bat Survey Results Appendix D: Amphibian Survey Results DRAWINGS G5170.010: Ecological Constraints and Mitigation Plan Eaves Green, Chorley Ecological Mitigation and Enhancement Strategy Eaves Green, Chorley Ecological Mitigation and Enhancement Strategy 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 We are instructed by Taylor Wimpey UK Limited (Taylor Wimpey) and the Homes and Community Agency (HCA) (The Applicants) to prepare this Ecological Mitigation and Enhancement Strategy in relation to 3 planning applications for the development of land at Eaves Green, Lower Burgh Way. The Applicants propose 289 dwellings, associated landscaping, access and infrastructure. Application A 1.2 Application A comprises a full planning application submitted on behalf of Taylor Wimpey UK Limited for the erection of 201 dwellings, associated access, drainage and the provision of public open space and landscaping. Application B 1.3 Application B comprises a full application submitted on behalf of Taylor Wimpey UK Limited for 88 dwellings, associated access and the provision of public open space and landscaping. Application C 1.4 Application C comprises an outline planning application on behalf of the HCA for up to 100 dwellings including access and associated landscaping and public open space. This application is submitted in outline with layout, scale, appearance and landscaping reserved. Permission is sought for means of access as part of this application. 1.5 Application A relates to a parcel of land controlled in its entirety by Taylor Wimpey (see Figure 1). Figure 1: Location Plan for Application A 5170.015 1 August 2016 Version 3.0 Eaves Green, Chorley Ecological Mitigation and Enhancement Strategy 1.6 Applications B and C relate to a parcel of land owned and controlled in its entirety by the HCA (see Figure 2). Figure 2: Location Plan for Aplication B and C 1.7 The two parcels of land to which the applications relate form part of a larger 18.5 ha site that is allocated for residential development by Policy HS1 of the Adopted Chorley Local Plan 2012-2026. The allocated land also includes land that has already been developed by Miller Homes (Birkacre Park), and land owned by Chorley Council. 1.8 For clarity, this report relates only to the two parcels of land under the control of the applicants and identified in Figures 1 and 2. In the remainder of this report, the parcels are referenced as the ‘HCA parcel’ and ‘Taylor Wimpey parcel’ respectively and where ‘the Application Site’ is referenced, it relates to both parcels together. 1.9 Current site proposals are presented on the Planning Layouts (Drawing References: TWM014 PL01 and PL02) supplied by Astle Planning & Design Limited (APD). Purpose of Report 1.10 This report provides a summary of the updated ecological baseline surveys, along with an assessment of the potential ecological impacts and constraints associated with both of the above areas. Proposed mitigation to protect retained habitats and protected species within the design and delivery of the development, enhancement measures and suitable monitoring to enable an effective evaluation of the mitigation employed are also detailed. 5170.015 2 August 2016 Version 3.0 Eaves Green, Chorley Ecological Mitigation and Enhancement Strategy 1.11 Full details of all surveys carried out in 2015 are presented in the Ecological Assessment (TEP Report Ref: 5170.008). Supporting technical appendices are also presented within this document. A separate Great Crested Newt Mitigation Strategy (TEP Report Ref: 5170.014), has also been produced. These documents should be read in conjunction with this document. 1.12 The proposed ecological mitigation and enhancement measures are illustrated on the Ecological Constraints plan (Drawing G5170.010). 1.13 Mitigation and enhancement proposed herein, form the basis of the strategy that is to be implemented as part of the development. Following the planning and review process and on confirmation of the construction and phasing programme, it is envisaged that are amendments will be likely. Specification of fencing, amphibian underpasses, seed mixes and lighting etc. be will delivered at the detailed design stage but will be in line with recommendations made within this strategy. 5170.015 3 August 2016 Version 3.0 Eaves Green, Chorley Ecological Mitigation and Enhancement Strategy 2.0 SITE CONTEXT 2.1 The Application Site is situated to the south of Chorley, Lancashire to the west of the A6 and is equidistant from the motorways M6 and M61 which run in parallel at this point on a north to south axis. Burgh Lane South runs north to south through the site, and the Yarrow Valley Country Park is situated to the west. 2.2 The boundaries of the Application Site are defined by Burgh Wood to the north and north-east; Spring wood to the south-west; agricultural pasture to the south and south- east, beyond which lies John Wood; and a residential development site to the north- east. Duxbury Woods Biological Heritage Site (BHS) adjoins