Comment

Representation ID: 2190

Received: 28/09/2021

Respondent: Norfolk County Council - Senior Ecologist

SN0433 - Land at Wheel Road, Alpington
Rating: Green no major ecological constraints identified from desk-top search. Surveys, and biodiversity enhancement in accordance with policy required.
Site is mostly bounded by mature hedges (a UK Priority habitat) which may also be important under the Hedgerow Regulations 1997 (evidence of OS 1st Edition map). Any losses should be minimised (existing access used?) and compensated for. There are no other priority habitats onsite (MAGIC) but broadleaved woodland is adjacent - consideration should be given to increasing the area of priority habitat in any landscaping plans. Site in SSSI IRZ but residential development not a trigger for consultation with Natural England. Site in amber zone for great crested newts and not in a strategic GI corridor, although development should still seek a net gain for biodiversity. Applications for planning consent should be accompanied by a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal/Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) which, together with the mitigation hierarchy should inform the design.