The Ecological Assessment (Jan 17) for this site identifies habitats of high and moderate ecological value including ponds, species rich hedgerows, veteran trees and meadow grasslands. It makes recommendations for the retention and restoration of the meadow rich grasslands, retention of the species rich hedgerows and the network of ponds which are thought likely to contain Great Crested Newts (protected species).
The Developer proposal does not retain these areas of significant ecological value and therefore we do not support thier concept plan.
The SMBC Illustrative Emerging Concept Masterplan shows the areas of significant ecological constraint are retained along with the hedgerows and some ponds. We would better support this concept plan for the site, but recommend that there is a requirement to provide net gain for biodiversity within the site itself (rather than compensate off-site) given the current value of the natural environment and its position within the landscape.