I've just noticed this on the 'Consultation Responses' section of the Higgs Application on CCC Planning Portal -
"Land adjacent to south of Alan Higgs Centre, Allard Way, FUL/2016/1458
I have viewed the plans, searched the WBRC, viewed photographs and aerial imagery of the site and surrounding area on Google Maps and have the following comments:
NATURE CONSERVATION VALUE OF THE SITE:
The site has no specific nature conservation designation, and there are no records of protected species within the application site. However, the site is adjacent to LWS (Local Wildlife Site) Sowe Valley Stoke Aldermoor to London Road which is important in County terms and it consists of a mosaic of semi-natural habitats extending along the River Sowe. It includes semi-improved neutral grassland, tall herb vegetation, mire, small patches of swamp and scattered and dense scrub. In the surrounding area there are records of bats, smooth newt, common frog and common toad.
ECOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION AND EFFECT OF PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT
The site is surrounded by a Local Wildlife Site on all sides although to the north the LWS is found on the other side of a railway line which runs from east to west outside the proposed development site. A main road runs from north to south on the western side of the proposed development site with the LWS either side of this. In the surrounding area housing developments are to all sides of the site outside the LWS, and to the west is industrial development outside the LWS. The area would support a range of species including bats, nesting birds and amphibians.
It is recommended that a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal including an Initial bat survey is carried out of any building proposed to be affected and any mature trees which may be affected by the proposed works.
Bats and their ‘roost’ sites are fully protected under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 making them a European Protected Species. It is a criminal offence to recklessly disturb or destroy a bat ‘roost’, even if the roost is only occasionally used.
Where a bat ‘roost’ is present a licence may be necessary to carry out any works. Further information about species licensing and legislation can be obtained from the Natural England Species Licensing Service.
In addition a Bats and lighting Condition is attached to ensure that protected species are not harmed by the development. Bats and their ‘roost’ sites are fully protected under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 making them a European Protected Species. It is a criminal offence to recklessly disturb or destroy a bat ‘roost’, even if the roost is only occasionally used.
Where a bat ‘roost’ is present a licence may be necessary to carry out any works. Further information about
species licensing and legislation can be obtained from the Natural England Species Licensing Service.
I am also attaching a Combined Ecological and Landscaping Scheme Condition in accordance with NPPF, ODPM Circular 2005/06. Furthermore, a Protect Local Wildlife Site Condition is below to ensure the protection of important habitats during development. In addition, if any mature trees are to be affected on the proposed development site then they will be protected and a Protection of root protection zone Condition is below to protect trees and other features on site during construction.
Please attach the following Conditions and Notes to any permission granted:
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Pre-determination
Preliminary Ecological Appraisal including Initial Bar Survey
Following receipt of an Initial Bat Survey, submitted to and approved by the local planning authority (with advice from Warwickshire County Council Ecologists) including details of any appropriate further surveys to be carried out, and any appropriate mitigation plans, it is recommended that the following conditions and notes are attached to any approval granted:
CONDITIONS:
Combined ecological and landscaping scheme condition:
No works to commence on site, including site clearance, until a combined ecological and landscaping scheme has been submitted and agreed between the applicant and the local planning authority (with advice from WCC Ecological Services). The scheme must include all aspects of; landscaping including details of any lake/pond creation. The agreed scheme to be fully implemented before/during development of the site
as appropriate.
Reason: In accordance with NPPF, ODPM Circular 2005/06.
Bats and lighting condition:
The development hereby permitted shall not commence until details of all external light fittings and external light columns have been submitted to and approved by the District Planning Authority. The development shall not be carried out otherwise than in full accordance with such approved details. In discharging this condition the District Planning Authority expects lighting to be restricted on the outer perimeters of all sides of the site. This could be achieved in the following ways:
· low pressure sodium lamps should be used in preference to high pressure sodium or mercury
lamps;
· the brightness of lights should be as low as legally possible;
· lighting should be timed to provide some dark periods;
· connections to areas important for foraging should contain unlit stretches.
Reason: In accordance with NPPF, ODPM Circular 2005/06
Protect adjacent LWS condition:
No work to start until adequate measures have been taken to protect existing trees, scrub and ground flora of the adjacent Local Wildlife Site, during development. A barrier, such as a wire fence, should be erected before works start. This fenced area should include a buffer zone of at least 2-3 metres between the development and the boundary of the LWS. It is important NOT to allow access, or storage of materials within this buffer zone, otherwise soil compaction is likely to occur, with subsequent damage to the ground flora.
Reason: To ensure the protection of important habitats during development.
Protection of root protection zone condition:
No part of the development hereby permitted shall be commenced and nor shall any equipment, machinery or materials be brought onto the site until a scheme for the protection of all existing trees and hedges to be retained on site has been submitted to and approved in writing by the District Planning Authority and has been put in place. The scheme must include details of the erection of stout protective fencing and be in accordance with British Standard BS5837:2012, Trees in Relation to design, demolition and construction. Nothing shall be stored or placed in those areas fenced in accordance with this condition and nor shall the ground levels be altered or any excavation take place without the prior consent in writing of the District Planning Authority. The approved scheme shall be kept in place until all parts of the development have been completed and all equipment, machinery and surplus materials have been removed.
Reason: To protect trees and other features on site during construction.
NOTES:
Generic reptile and amphibian note:
In view of the nearby records, care should be taken when clearing the ground prior to development and when storing materials on site. If evidence of specially protected species such as reptiles or amphibians is found (great crested newt, grass snake, common lizard or slow-worm), work should stop while WCC Ecological Services or Natural England is contacted. Reptiles and amphibians are protected to varying degrees under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act and the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and great crested newts are additionally deemed European Protected Species under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010.
Nesting Bird note:
Work should avoid disturbance to nesting birds. Birds can nest in many places including buildings, trees, shrubs, dense ivy, and bramble/rose scrub. Nesting birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). The main nesting season lasts approximately from March to September inclusive, so work should ideally take place outside these dates if at all possible. N.B birds can nest at any time, and the site should ideally be checked by a suitably qualified ecologist for their presence immediately before work starts, especially if during the breeding season.
Barbara Golding BSc (Hons) MSc AIEMA
Ecologist
Ecology Group
Community Services
Warwickshire County Council"
"Land adjacent to south of Alan Higgs Centre, Allard Way, FUL/2016/1458
I have viewed the plans, searched the WBRC, viewed photographs and aerial imagery of the site and surrounding area on Google Maps and have the following comments:
NATURE CONSERVATION VALUE OF THE SITE:
The site has no specific nature conservation designation, and there are no records of protected species within the application site. However, the site is adjacent to LWS (Local Wildlife Site) Sowe Valley Stoke Aldermoor to London Road which is important in County terms and it consists of a mosaic of semi-natural habitats extending along the River Sowe. It includes semi-improved neutral grassland, tall herb vegetation, mire, small patches of swamp and scattered and dense scrub. In the surrounding area there are records of bats, smooth newt, common frog and common toad.
ECOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION AND EFFECT OF PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT
The site is surrounded by a Local Wildlife Site on all sides although to the north the LWS is found on the other side of a railway line which runs from east to west outside the proposed development site. A main road runs from north to south on the western side of the proposed development site with the LWS either side of this. In the surrounding area housing developments are to all sides of the site outside the LWS, and to the west is industrial development outside the LWS. The area would support a range of species including bats, nesting birds and amphibians.
It is recommended that a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal including an Initial bat survey is carried out of any building proposed to be affected and any mature trees which may be affected by the proposed works.
Bats and their ‘roost’ sites are fully protected under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 making them a European Protected Species. It is a criminal offence to recklessly disturb or destroy a bat ‘roost’, even if the roost is only occasionally used.
Where a bat ‘roost’ is present a licence may be necessary to carry out any works. Further information about species licensing and legislation can be obtained from the Natural England Species Licensing Service.
In addition a Bats and lighting Condition is attached to ensure that protected species are not harmed by the development. Bats and their ‘roost’ sites are fully protected under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 making them a European Protected Species. It is a criminal offence to recklessly disturb or destroy a bat ‘roost’, even if the roost is only occasionally used.
Where a bat ‘roost’ is present a licence may be necessary to carry out any works. Further information about
species licensing and legislation can be obtained from the Natural England Species Licensing Service.
I am also attaching a Combined Ecological and Landscaping Scheme Condition in accordance with NPPF, ODPM Circular 2005/06. Furthermore, a Protect Local Wildlife Site Condition is below to ensure the protection of important habitats during development. In addition, if any mature trees are to be affected on the proposed development site then they will be protected and a Protection of root protection zone Condition is below to protect trees and other features on site during construction.
Please attach the following Conditions and Notes to any permission granted:
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Pre-determination
Preliminary Ecological Appraisal including Initial Bar Survey
Following receipt of an Initial Bat Survey, submitted to and approved by the local planning authority (with advice from Warwickshire County Council Ecologists) including details of any appropriate further surveys to be carried out, and any appropriate mitigation plans, it is recommended that the following conditions and notes are attached to any approval granted:
CONDITIONS:
Combined ecological and landscaping scheme condition:
No works to commence on site, including site clearance, until a combined ecological and landscaping scheme has been submitted and agreed between the applicant and the local planning authority (with advice from WCC Ecological Services). The scheme must include all aspects of; landscaping including details of any lake/pond creation. The agreed scheme to be fully implemented before/during development of the site
as appropriate.
Reason: In accordance with NPPF, ODPM Circular 2005/06.
Bats and lighting condition:
The development hereby permitted shall not commence until details of all external light fittings and external light columns have been submitted to and approved by the District Planning Authority. The development shall not be carried out otherwise than in full accordance with such approved details. In discharging this condition the District Planning Authority expects lighting to be restricted on the outer perimeters of all sides of the site. This could be achieved in the following ways:
· low pressure sodium lamps should be used in preference to high pressure sodium or mercury
lamps;
· the brightness of lights should be as low as legally possible;
· lighting should be timed to provide some dark periods;
· connections to areas important for foraging should contain unlit stretches.
Reason: In accordance with NPPF, ODPM Circular 2005/06
Protect adjacent LWS condition:
No work to start until adequate measures have been taken to protect existing trees, scrub and ground flora of the adjacent Local Wildlife Site, during development. A barrier, such as a wire fence, should be erected before works start. This fenced area should include a buffer zone of at least 2-3 metres between the development and the boundary of the LWS. It is important NOT to allow access, or storage of materials within this buffer zone, otherwise soil compaction is likely to occur, with subsequent damage to the ground flora.
Reason: To ensure the protection of important habitats during development.
Protection of root protection zone condition:
No part of the development hereby permitted shall be commenced and nor shall any equipment, machinery or materials be brought onto the site until a scheme for the protection of all existing trees and hedges to be retained on site has been submitted to and approved in writing by the District Planning Authority and has been put in place. The scheme must include details of the erection of stout protective fencing and be in accordance with British Standard BS5837:2012, Trees in Relation to design, demolition and construction. Nothing shall be stored or placed in those areas fenced in accordance with this condition and nor shall the ground levels be altered or any excavation take place without the prior consent in writing of the District Planning Authority. The approved scheme shall be kept in place until all parts of the development have been completed and all equipment, machinery and surplus materials have been removed.
Reason: To protect trees and other features on site during construction.
NOTES:
Generic reptile and amphibian note:
In view of the nearby records, care should be taken when clearing the ground prior to development and when storing materials on site. If evidence of specially protected species such as reptiles or amphibians is found (great crested newt, grass snake, common lizard or slow-worm), work should stop while WCC Ecological Services or Natural England is contacted. Reptiles and amphibians are protected to varying degrees under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act and the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and great crested newts are additionally deemed European Protected Species under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010.
Nesting Bird note:
Work should avoid disturbance to nesting birds. Birds can nest in many places including buildings, trees, shrubs, dense ivy, and bramble/rose scrub. Nesting birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). The main nesting season lasts approximately from March to September inclusive, so work should ideally take place outside these dates if at all possible. N.B birds can nest at any time, and the site should ideally be checked by a suitably qualified ecologist for their presence immediately before work starts, especially if during the breeding season.
Barbara Golding BSc (Hons) MSc AIEMA
Ecologist
Ecology Group
Community Services
Warwickshire County Council"
