Client: Elgie Group
Site Name: 7 Clapgun Street, Castle Donington, Derby, DE74 2LE
Site Type: Housing
Services Provided: Arboricultural Impact Assessment, Arboricultural Method Statement, Nocturnal Emergence/Re-Entry Survey & Nesting Bird Survey, Bird and Bat Report and Biodiversity Enhancement Plan
An Arboricultural Impact Assessment and Arboricultural Method Statement were required to support planning and outline tree protection measures. A Biodiversity Enhancement Plan was also necessary to allow the development to proceed, leading to the involvement of our ecology team.
A total of six individual trees, one group of trees, and one hedge were surveyed for this appraisal. Six trees were categorised as moderate quality, and one group and one hedge were categorised as low quality. Elton Ecology suggested that no trees require removal to facilitate this development.
During the Bat and Bird Report the findings it was reported that the likely absence of roosting bats within the buildings could be assumed while also collecting no evidence of nesting birds during the survey. However through the Stage 2 Nocturnal Bat Survey sightings of bats were recorded within wider landscape. Through these findings Elton Ecology provided the mitigation strategy that external artificial lighting at the site on adjacent habitats should be avoided. To mitigate the loss of nesting bird habitats it was recommended that two integrated swift bricks should be installed.
Following these reports a condition was set in place which had to be submitted and approved by the Local Planning Authority before the development could commence. To discharge this condition a Biodiversity Enhancement Plan was prepared by Elton Ecology showing the recommendation for three integrated swift bricks to be installed on the new apartment building to provide additional nesting opportunities for birds. This included that once installed all boxes were required to be left undisturbed post-development.
The North West Leicestershire District Council commented on the planning application, advising that both the recommendations within the Biodiversity Enhancement Plan and Arboricultural Reports were deemed acceptable and therefore would discharge the condition, meaning the development could continue without any delay.
Planning consent was secured as the Local Planning Authority granted planning permission.
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Elton Ecology are a Registered Practice of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), committing us to industry leading standards of professional practice. We deliver the best outcomes for our clients and reduce risk for planning applications.
