From: Andy Williams Sent: 01 December 2017 16:34 To: External Email for Programme Officer Cc: Harris, Kelly; Richards, Karen; 'Adrian Seabridge' Subject: RE: SAD Examination Amanda, Whilst I noted that the Inspector had no questions for me as the promoters planning agent, he did ask the council a couple of questions and I am able to assist as follows: 1. Ecology: We have undertaken two separate reports, one in 2015 and another (attached in 2017) which confirms no ecological constraints that might have a significant impact on the development of the site. 2. Ground conditions: The old Kingswood Colliery was within and to the west of the existing travellers site and from our initial enquiries of the Coal Authority and old maps, we are not aware of any shafts on the site. That doesn’t mean there are no mining legacy, but we are confident that a development along the lines indicated on the attached masterplan is feasible. 3. Education and associated travel movements: Whilst other allocations might generate traffic as parents drop children at the primary school, Site 139 is almost adjacent to it and within convenient walking distance. In this respect it is highly sustainable. I trust the above will assist the Inspector in relation to the queries he raised. Kind regards. Andy Williams Advance Land & Planning Limited The Oaks, 8 Hall Drive, Higher Marston, Northwich, Cheshire. CW9 6DT. Pool View, Great Wyrley, Staffordshire. On behalf of Seabridge Developments Ltd. Report number SD17/001 Author: J Dunning Date: 26th May 2017 Approved: R Leigh Ecological Appraisal Important Information to Readers This report has been prepared for Seabridge Developments Ltd in accordance with the terms and conditions of appointment for an Ecological Appraisal. Leigh Ecology Ltd cannot accept any responsibility for the use of or reliance on the content of this report by any third party. The advice contained in this report is based on the information available and/or collected during the period of study. We cannot completely eliminate the possibility of important ecological features being found through further investigation and/or by survey at different times of the year or in different years. Surveys and assessments are undertaken on the understanding that nothing in our reports will be omitted, amended or misrepresented by the client or any other interested party. Please be aware the information contained within this report is valid for a period not exceeding two years. After this time, data contained within will need updating. Contents 1 Executive summary ....................................................................................... 4 2 Introduction ................................................................................................... 5 3 Methodology .................................................................................................. 7 4 Results .......................................................................................................... 9 5 Constraints and Recommendations ............................................................. 18 6 References ...................................................................................................21 7 Appendices ..................................................................................................22 Appendix 1 – Phase 1 Habitat plan and Key Appendix 2 - Target Notes Appendix 3 - Records for protected/notable species within 1 km of the proposed site – Source: SER Ecological Appraisal. Pool View, Great Wyrley. 1 Executive summary 1.1 Leigh Ecology Ltd was commissioned to undertake an Ecological Appraisal of a series of fields on land north of Pool view, Great Wyrley, Staffordshire. The survey was undertaken in May 2017. 1.2 The site has been identified for housing allocation by the local authority. 1.3 The proposal site is located adjacent to the north of a built environment and south of the A5 road. The site is small scale fields comprising semi improved and improved grassland, which are heavily grazed by horses. 1.4 The site has a limited floral diversity containing a mix of mature tree species scrub layers and ruderal vegetation. 1.5 The trees and hedgerows occurring on site suffer from horse browsing, which limits their capabilities to grow dense vegetation, which minimises their importance as a bird nesting and foraging habitat. 1.6 The trees bordering the site offer some bat roosting habitat as well as good commuting (linear features) and foraging habitats although the extent is limited due to the severance of street lighting in the wider landscape. 1.7 No sign of regular Badger activity or any other mammals were found on the site. 1.8 Small numbers of red/amber listed bird species were present, including singing Song thrush Turdus philomelos. However, with the trees remaining unaffected by the development, no further action is required. A large freshwater pool nearby, Bridgetown Subsidence Pool LNR, is important for breeding wildfowl and Common Tern, however will remain unaffected by the development. 1.9 Any vegetation clearance should be undertaken outside the bird-nesting season, March – August. 1.10 No ponds are apparent on the site, and therefore, no amphibian surveys will be necessary. However, the aforementioned pool may hold protected species, this is however isolated from the site and therefore unaffected. 1.11 Therefore, given its intensive use and the sites location between a major road and a built environment, it offers negligible ecological constraints to the future housing allocation plan. SD17/001 – Ecological Appraisal Report – Pool View, Great Wyrley. 4 Ecological Appraisal. Pool View, Great Wyrley. 2 Introduction Background 2.1 Leigh Ecology Ltd was commissioned by Seabridge Developments Ltd to undertake an Ecological Appraisal of land identified for housing by the Local Authority at Pool View, Great Wyrley, (approx. National Grid Reference (NGR) SJ 990355); refer to redline boundary shown on Figure 2.1 below. 2.2 For development proposals requiring planning permission, the presence of protected species, and therefore the need of a survey, is a material planning consideration under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Adequate surveys are therefore required to establish the presence or absence of protected species, to enable a prediction of the likely impact of the proposed development on them and their breeding site or resting places and, if necessary, to design mitigation and compensation methods. 2.3 Sites of biodiversity conservation value, habitats and species in UK and Local Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPS) and protected species are material considerations in the planning process (Department for Communities and Local Government. 2012). 2.4 The study is documented in this report and includes the following: 1. Preliminary ecological baseline for the site; 2. Protected mammals assessment of the site; 3. Potential ecological constraints to the development of the site; and 4. Further ecological work necessary for a planning submission. 2.5 All Work was undertaken in accordance with the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management’s (CIEEM) Code of Practice. SD17/001 – Ecological Appraisal Report – Pool View, Great Wyrley. 5 Ecological Appraisal. Pool View, Great Wyrley. Figure 2.1 Pool view, Great Wyrley, Staffordshire. SD17/001 – Ecological Appraisal Report – Pool View, Great Wyrley. 6 Ecological Appraisal. Pool View, Great Wyrley. 3 Methodology 3.1 A preliminary understanding of the ecological baseline of the development site (hereafter referred to as ‘the site’) was derived through desk study and site survey. Desk study 3.2 Information was also obtained from the following websites: • www.magic.gov.uk – information on protected sites up to 1 km from the site; • www.naturalengland.co.uk – information on protected sites and BAP priority habitats; and • www.nbn.org.uk – protected species distribution. 3.3 The UK BAP and Staffordshire BAPs were also reviewed. Site survey 3.4 A site survey to inform the Ecological Appraisal was undertaken in M a y 2017 following Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) methodology (2010). This identified the habitat types on the site and the presence/absence of protected/notable species1. The results of the survey were detailed on a Phase 1 Habitat plan; refer to Appendix 1. 3.5 Water bodies within 250m of the site were also identified from Ordnance Survey (OS) maps and through aerial photography. Bat Surveys Trees External. 3.6 An external inspection of the trees on site was undertaken; the primary objective of the survey was to locate any signs of bat activity, for example: • Bat droppings; • Scratch marks; • Feeding remains; • Grease staining / urine marks; 3.7 As tree roosts are extremely difficult to locate, it is prudent to note all potential roost entrances, cracks, cavities, woodpecker holes, fissures, in order to undertake emergence surveys should there be an impact on the trees. 1 Notable species are those which hold a specific conservation status e.g. Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Species, IUCN Red Data Species etc. Some notable species may also be legally protected. SD17/001 – Ecological Appraisal Report – Pool View, Great Wyrley. 7 Ecological Appraisal. Pool View, Great Wyrley. 3.8 It is clear however, given the age of some of the trees around the sites perimeter, that further work may be required to determine usage if said trees are to be affected. Landscape Assessment 3.9 Bats use regular commuting and foraging routes; these are usually