Ecology
ECOLOGICAL DESK STUDY
Client: Baker Associates
Background: Landmark was commissioned to undertake an ecological study to inform representation to the emerging Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) for the South West for a major urban expansion to the south-west of Bristol. The proposed development area spans Bristol City Council and North Somerset Council administrative areas. The brief was to identify ecological issues that would significantly affect the likelihood of the study area being selected and to inform the scale of development, including infrastructure, that could be accommodated and delivered.
Description: Designated areas within, and within 1 km of the proposed development area were identified and mapped. Evidence from historical Phase 1 habitat data highlighted areas with potential for habitats of ecological importance to be present. Species data identified the potential for legally protected species, including proximity to a nationally important lesser horseshoe bat roost.
The report identified biodiversity features in the area that could potentially cause significant constraints to the scale and location of development. Landmark advised how to assemble evidence to demonstrate that mitigation could be secured to enable the area to be delivered and recommended that an ecological masterplan was prepared to support the submission to the emerging RSS.
The masterplan would retain and protect the county important sites, enhance links between them and also retain and enhance features connecting habitats within Bristol to the wider countryside. Guidance was provided on survey requirements and mitigation options to address potential species interest and advice was given on dealing with the potential impact of proposed infrastructure routes, and the location of a proposed link road, on habitats and species, lesser horseshoe bats in particular.
The proposed urban expansion area is carried forward within the emerging RSS.
Client Benefits: Clarity of the workload and budgetary requirements to bring forward a robust case for RSS allocation together with valuable baseline data to inform project masterplanning.