Client: School Land Developments Ltd
Site Name: Ingamells Drive, Saxilby, Lincoln, LN1 2WX
Site Type: Housing
Services Provided: Arboricultural Impact Assessment, Arboricultural Method Statement, Biodiversity Net Gain Report, Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Report (PEA) and Ecological Mitigation & Enhancement Plan
The potential presence of protected habitats and species required a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal to identify constraints and guide mitigation, along with a BNG Report showing a 10% gain. An Arboricultural Impact Assessment (AIA) and Arboricultural Method Statement were also required to support planning.
Five individual trees and four tree groups were surveyed throughout the AIA. Four trees and one group were of moderate quality; one tree and three groups were of low quality. Two low-quality groups required removal for the development to take place. Due to the removal of trees, Elton Ecology recommended the loss to be mitigated through replacement planting.
Using the Statutory Biodiversity Metric, a post-development net loss of 0.28 habitat units (42.22%) was identified, falling 0.34 units short of the 10% biodiversity net gain target, meaning on-site delivery of this shortfall wasn’t considered feasible. However, through Elton Ecology’s recommendations, off-site habitat compensation options such as the purchase of biodiversity units from a habitat bank helped to achieve the 10% Net Gain.
Elton Ecology suggested that no Stage 2 Ecological Surveys would be required for the development to continue. However, recommended that the development implement precautionary working methods to protect nesting birds, badgers, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians during construction. Also, Artificial lighting mitigations were suggested to minimise wildlife impact, following Bat Conservation Trust and ILP guidelines (2023). As a result of the recommendation the development was granted planning permission.
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.
