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The Issue

Our client had submitted a full planning application to Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council for the creation of a menage and associated hardstanding. The Planning Authority Consultee for Ecology produced a holding objection to the proposals, due to no ecological survey report having been submitted with the application.

The site was situated adjacent to sensitive woodland habitat and an ecology survey was required by the planning authority prior to determining the application, to assess the biodiversity value of the site.

The hedgerows and woodland adjacent to the site met the criteria for Habitats of Principal Importance under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006. The woodland also contained a pond within 250m of the site, which may have contained a population of Great Crested Newts.

Our Solution

Elton Ecology carried out a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal of the site including a Desk Study and Extended Phase 1 Habitat survey.

The Desk Study included a study of online resources for sites of nature conservation, and a data consultation with the Leicestershire and Rutland Environmental Records Centre for records of any protected species at the site and surrounding area.

The field survey comprised a walkover of the site compiling a botanical species list in order to classify the habitats present, and an assessment was made of the sites suitability to support protected/ notable species, including great crested newt and badger.

We determined that via simple avoidance measures and the protection of adjacent habitats during works, there would not be significant impacts on the identified ecological features at the site. We issued to the client an Ecological Impact Assessment Report setting out our survey findings and the avoidance measures for the scheme.

The Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council Ecology Consultee stated that our report and its recommendations were acceptable, recommending our reasonable and proportionate measures were conditioned including the avoidance artificial light spill on adjacent habitats, and buffering sensitive habitats during works.