Client: TUK Rural Ltd
Site Name: Land off Chellaston Lane, Aston-on-Trent, DE73 6TT
Site Type: Mixed-use Commercial
Services Provided: Biodiversity Net Gain Report (BNG), Species Enhancement Plan (SEP), Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP), and Construction Environmental Management Plan: Biodiversity (CEMP)
A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) and Biodiversity Net Gain Report (BNG) were undertaken to determine ecological constraints and inform necessary mitigation and enhancement actions due to the potential presence of protected habitats and species.
Elton Ecology carried out a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal of the site. It was determined that the hedgerow and line of trees within the site were assessed as NERC priority habitats and would need to be retained within the development. The site also offered suitable habitat for a range of nesting birds, reptiles, amphibians, and great crested newts. Due to these findings, Elton Ecology recommended that retained hedgerows and trees should be protected via exclusion zones during works. To prevent the killing and injury of amphibians, reptiles and protect nesting birds, foraging brown hare and hedgehogs that the workers would have to follow precautionary working methods. Also, where lighting was required, it was suggested that this should be sympathetic to wildlife through the design.
The BNG assessment that Elton Ecology undertook demonstrated that a Biodiversity Net Gain in both habitats (13.98%) and hedgerows (59.80%) could be achieved within the site. The Biodiversity Net Gain was recommended to be achieved through the implementation of a Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP), avoiding the need for the client to purchase off-site biodiversity units.
Within the development at Chellaston Lane multiple reports were required as part of the conditions, these consisted of a Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP), Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP), and Species Enhancement Plans. Elton Ecology were able to help to produce these reports and provide recommendations to secure a minimum of 10% Biodiversity Net Gain, protect species during development, and deliver ecological enhancements in line with Policy BNE3.
Elton Ecology recommended incorporating two bat boxes and two artificial bird nesting features on poles within the scheme. The CEMP Report advised retained hedgerows and trees to be protected by using exclusion zones in line with BS 5837:2012. Also to prevent killing and injury of amphibians and reptiles, Elton Ecology recommended that a fingertip search of suitable hibernacula was to be conducted under a Precautionary Working Method Statement. Finally where lighting was necessary, it would comply with BCT & ILP (2018) guidelines to ensure wildlife-friendly design.
The Derbyshire Wildlife Trust ecology consultee commented on the planning application, advising that the recommendations throughout the Elton Ecology reports were acceptable, raising no objections allowing all conditions to be discharged.
Planning consent was secured on first submission as the Local Planning Authority granted planning permission with conditions for the site.
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