Thank you for consulting the GMEU.
Summary
No significant ecological constraints were identified by the developer’s ecological consultant. Minor
issues relating to nesting birds, animal welfare and amphibians were identified which can be
resolved via condition or informative. No other protected are likely to be present and no invasive
species recorded.
Great Crested Newts
There are two ponds within 250m of the development. Both were assessed using HSI for
there great crested newt breeding potential. The nearest pond was utilised as an amenity
resource and I concur that the likelihood of gcn presence is very low. The pond is also on
the other side of the road with significant barriers to migration to this development
site. The other pond is over 200m from the development and whilst the pond has not been
proven to be a non-breeding pond, I am satisfied that the combination of distance , lack of
obvious ecological pathways, relatively poor habitat assessment of both the pond and
terrestrial habitat to be lost, and lack of evidence from the desk top assessment of gcn in
the area puts the risk of an offence as low. The residual risk can be covered by a precautionary note to any permission.
Whilst there is only a low risk of great crested newts being present, the applicant is reminded that
under the Habitat Regulation it is an offence to disturb, harm or kill great crested newts. If a
great crested newt is found during the development all work should cease immediately and a
suitably licensed amphibian ecologist employed to assess how best to safeguard the
newt(s). Natural England should also be informed.
We would however encourage the consultant as part of the desk top search to consult the
Lancashire Local Records office (LERN) for developments of this kind as utilising previous
planning applications in the area as a baseline whilst useful and to be encouraged as a
supplementary source of information should not be totally relied upon unless the consultant
has personal knowledge of the area.
Nesting Birds
There is a hedgerow that provides potential bird nesting habitat along the frontage of the
development site with Sower Carr Lane that is likely to be impacted upon by the
development. All British birds’ nests and eggs (with certain limited exceptions) are protected by
Section 1 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, as amended. Please apply a condition along the
following lines to any permission.
No works to trees , hedgerows or shrubs shall occur between the 1st March and 31st August in any
year unless a detailed bird nest survey by a suitably experienced ecologist has been carried out
immediately prior to clearance and written confirmation provided that no active bird nests are
present which has been agreed in writing by the LPA.
Animal Welfare
The consultant has noted the risk during construction to wild animals. Please apply the
following informative to any permission.
The applicant is reminded that, under the Wild Mammal (Protection) Act 1996 it is an offence to
inflict unnecessary suffering to wild mammals. Planning consent does not provide a defence
against prosecution under this act.
Net loss of Biodiversity
The development will impact on approximately 0.1ha of low value ecological habitat. Permanent
loss will be restricted to the footprint of the new property with the remainder of the site replaced
presumably with soft and hard landscaping. I am satisfied that adequate land is available on-site to
provide adequate mitigation as part of the landscape plan. This can be conditioned as part of any
permission along the following lines.
A landscape management plan shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the LPA, prior to
commencement of development. The content of the plan should include elements to mitigate for
any loss of hedgerow, bird nesting habitat and species poor grassland. The approved plan will be
implemented in accordance with the approved details.
Other protected species and invasive species listed under schedule 9 part 2
The risks to other protected species was regarded as low to negligible. I concur with this
assessment. No invasive species were recorded. No further information or pre-cautionary
measures are required,