Comment
South Norfolk Village Clusters Housing Allocations Plan (Reg. 18 Draft)
Representation ID: 2247
Received: 28/09/2021
Respondent: Norfolk County Council - Senior Ecologist
Green no major ecological constraints identified from desk-top search. Surveys, and biodiversity enhancement in accordance with policy required.
Two agricultural fields part bounded/divided by hedges - (priority habitat) - losses should be avoided - minimised, and as a last resort, compensated. No other priority habitats identified onsite see MAGIC). Site in amber habitat zone for great crested newts. Site in SSSI IRZ, but residential development doesn't trigger consultation with Natural England (unless development 100 unites plus) 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. Consideration should be given to delivering Biodiversity Net Gain.