South Norfolk Village Clusters Housing Allocations Plan (Reg. 18 Draft)

Comment

Representation ID: 2187

Received: 28/09/2021

Respondent: Norfolk County Council - Senior Ecologist

Rating: Green no major ecological constraints identified from desk-top search. Surveys, and biodiversity enhancement in accordance with policy required.
Site appears to be used for grazing and is surrounded on all sides by hedges (priority habitat). The site partly lies within the amber zone for DLL and a PROW runs to the north of the site. A search of MAGIC reveals there are no other priority habitats onsite. 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.

Comment

Representation ID: 2188

Received: 28/09/2021

Respondent: Norfolk County Council - Senior Ecologist

Rating: Green no major ecological constraints identified from desk-top search. Surveys, and biodiversity enhancement in accordance with policy required.
Part of agricultural field to south of dwellings. No priority sites identified (see MAGIC) but aerial image son google out of date (2008). Site located in green risk zone for great crested newts (Identified by Natural England). There are no priority habitats onsite. Site in a SSSI IRZ, but residential development is not identified as a trigger for consultation with Natural England. 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.

Comment

Representation ID: 2189

Received: 28/09/2021

Respondent: Norfolk County Council - Senior Ecologist

Rating: Green no major ecological constraints identified from desk-top search. Surveys, and biodiversity enhancement in accordance with policy required.
Site currently occupied by industrial buildings and areas of hardstanding. Site located in amber risk zone for great crested newts (Identified by Natural England). There are no priority habitats onsite. Site in a SSSI IRZ, but residential development is not identified as a trigger for consultation with Natural England. 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.

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.

Comment

Representation ID: 2191

Received: 28/09/2021

Respondent: Norfolk County Council - Senior Ecologist

Rating: Green no major ecological constraints identified from desk-top search. Surveys, and biodiversity enhancement in accordance with policy required.
The allocation site is located within an arable field with a hedge (priority habitat) running along the western boundary. The site is located within a strategic Green Infrastructure Corridor which should be considered within the design. A search of MAGIC reveals no other priority habitats onsite. The site is located within a SSSI Impact Risk Zone whereby residential development may require consultation with Natural England. The site is located within the Amber District Level License zone for great crested newts. 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.

Comment

Representation ID: 2192

Received: 28/09/2021

Respondent: Norfolk County Council - Senior Ecologist

SN2118 - South of Sneath Road, Aslacton
Rating: Green no major ecological constraints identified from desk-top search. Surveys, and biodiversity enhancement in accordance with policy required.
The allocation site is located along the northern edge of an arable field. A search of MAGIC reveals, except for hedges, no priority habitats onsite. The northern boundary is boarded by a hedge (priority habitat) which appears on the first OS map and may qualify as important under the Hedgerow Regulations 1997. Breaches to, or loss of hedge should be kept to a minimum and compensation provided (consideration should be given to siting any footpath to the south of the hedge to avoid impacts). The site is in a SSSI impact zone but 'residential' is not listed in the trigger list for consultation with Natural England. The site is not located in a strategic GI corridor but net gains for biodiversity should be provided. The site is in the Amber zone for District Level Licensing. Applications for planning consent should be accompanied by a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal/Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) which should inform the design.

Comment

Representation ID: 2193

Received: 28/09/2021

Respondent: Norfolk County Council - Senior Ecologist

SN0552 - Land off Watton Road, Barford
Rating: Green no major ecological constraints identified from desk-top search. Surveys, and biodiversity enhancement in accordance with policy required.
The application site lies across two fields, one south of Watton Road (grazing? /rough grassland), and one on the corner of Back Land and Watton Road (arable). The application site at Barford is located within a SSSI IRZ but 'residential' is not listed as a trigger requiring consultation with Natural England. It is located within a Strategic GI corridor, which should inform the EcIA and layout/enhancement of the site. The site is also located in the Amber Zone for District Level Licensing. A search of MAGIC shows that no Priority Habitats are onsite (the field to the south is shown on the 1905 OS map as an orchard). 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.

Comment

Representation ID: 2194

Received: 28/09/2021

Respondent: Norfolk County Council - Senior Ecologist

Rating: Green no major ecological constraints identified from desk-top search. Surveys, and biodiversity enhancement in accordance with policy required.
The application site comprises a single field. Except for the hedges, there are no Priority Habitats onsite (MAGIC). It is located within a SSSI Impact Risk Zone, but housing is not identified as requiring consultation with Natural England. It is located in an area identified as an amber zone for great crested newts. 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. Opportunities to enhance and extend priority habitats are encouraged.

Comment

Representation ID: 2195

Received: 28/09/2021

Respondent: Norfolk County Council - Senior Ecologist

Rating: Green no major ecological constraints identified from desk-top search. Surveys, and biodiversity enhancement in accordance with policy required.
The site is part of an agricultural field, bounded along the northern edge by a ditch, and line of standard trees. To the north is an area of deciduous woodland (priority habitat) (see MAGIC). The site is in a SSSI Impact Risk Zone although 'residential' development would not trigger consultation with Natural England. The site is in an amber zone for great crested newts (identified by Natural England as part of DLL licensing). Consideration should be given to creating priority habitats (e.g., hedgerows). 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. Opportunities to enhance and extend priority habitats are encouraged.

Comment

Representation ID: 2196

Received: 28/09/2021

Respondent: Norfolk County Council - Senior Ecologist

Rating: Green no major ecological constraints identified from desk-top search. Surveys, and biodiversity enhancement in accordance with policy required.
The site is part of an agricultural field (grazed), bounded by hedgerows (priority habitats). To the north is an area of deciduous woodland (priority habitat) (see MAGIC). The site is in a SSSI Impact Risk Zone although 'residential' development would not trigger consultation with Natural England. The site is in an amber zone for great crested newts (identified by Natural England as part of DLL licensing). Impacts to priority habitats should be minimised and compensated for, and consideration to the creation of additional priority habitats. 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.