Modern Health & Wellbeing Hub Proposed with Improved Parking at Bert Williams Leisure Centre
Client: City of Wolverhampton Council
Site Name: Bert Williams Leisure Centre, Bilston, Wolverhampton, WV14 0QE
Site Type: Mixed-use Commercial
Services Provided: Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) and Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA)
The presence of potential protected habitats and species on site triggered the requirement for a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) to identify ecological constraints and inform appropriate mitigation measures.
Following the PEA recommendations, which were advised by Elton Ecology in 2022, further surveys were completed to inform an Ecological Impact Assessment, including a Nocturnal bat survey, Reptile survey and a Great Crested Newt (GCN) eDNA survey.
Within the surveys, Elton Ecology demonstrated the likely absence of GCN within any of the ponds on site and locally, and the likely absence of Bat Roosts on site, as well as the likely absence of reptiles within the site.
Elton Ecology therefore recommended that a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) and Landscape Environmental Management Plan (LEMP) would be submitted to provide precautionary working methods during the construction process prior to works proceeding on site at the discharge of conditions stage.
Planning consent was secured as the City of Wolverhampton Council granted planning permission with conditions to Bert Williams Leisure Centre.
Our work enabled the success of the planning application, unlocking the development of the site. The Express & Star stated that “The facility will bring together partners and providers from the health, social care and wellbeing and leisure sectors to support around 18,000 residents and will be located next to WV Active Bilston-Bert Williams leisure centre.”
Planning a development? Our expert Ecology and Arboriculture services are here to support your application and help secure planning consent—Contact us to learn more.
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.
