Decision details

RESOLVED: That application 23/02895/OP be GRANTED planning permission subject to the reasons and conditions set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager with the removal of Condition 13, the amendments to Conditions 11,12 and 14 as set out in the supplementary document and the relevant renumbering of existing conditions.

“Condition 11:

Landscape and Ecological Management Plan (LEMP)

‘Prior to commencement of the development, a Landscape and Ecological Management Plan shall be prepared, detailing how biodiversity will be incorporate within the development scheme and managed/monitored long-term. This should include details regarding who will have the management responsibilities. The plan shall include details of the landscaping proposed to achieve measurable gains to biodiversity, as well as a graphical plan which sets out the number, type and position of ecological enhancement features to be incorporated into the design scheme. This plan shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority for written approval to demonstrate the expectations of the NPPF and Local Policy in achieving overall measurable net gains for biodiversity. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved plan unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To ensure sensible working practices which protect ecology on and adjacent to this site, in accordance with Policy NE4: Biodiversity and Geological Sites.

Condition 12

Construction Environment Management Plan (CEMP)

No development shall take place until a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) for biodiversity has been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The CEMP shall include the following:

a)    Risk assessment of potentially damaging construction activities.

b)    Practical measures (both physical measures and sensitive working practices) to avoid or reduce impacts during construction (may be provided as a set of method statements). This must include:

i.                Best practice measures to ensure the protection of retained vegetation during construction;

ii.              Best practice measures to ensure any invasive species listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 encountered within the site will be removed and disposed of as controlled waste;

iii.             A precautionary working method for hedgehogs.

c)     The location and timings of sensitive works to avoid harm to nesting birds.

d)    Details of a translocation programme for slow-worms.

The CEMP should include a statement to the effect that if any protected species are encountered during any stage of the development, then works must cease immediately and advice be sought from a suitably qualified ecologist on how best to proceed. Development shall proceed in accordance with the approved CEMP, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To ensure sensible working practices which protect ecology on and adjacent to this site, in accordance with Policy NE4: Biodiversity and Geological Sites.

Condition 13:

Lighting Strategy

No development shall take place until an external lighting scheme has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. This scheme should follow guidance from the Bat Conservation Trust and Institution of Lighting Professionals (2023), and be designed to minimise light spill, in particular directing light away from boundary vegetation to ensure that dark corridors remain for use by wildlife as well as directing lighting away from potential roost / nesting sites. This should be accompanied by a short statement from a suitably qualified ecologist showing how the design meets the level of protection required.

Reason: To ensure protected species are not disturbed by the development in accordance with National Legislation (Conservation of Habitats and Species (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended)) and Local Planning Policy NE4 – Biodiversity and geological sites.”