Object

Representation ID: 16668

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Natural England

Strategic Allocation WSA.1-WAH236 (GB1) Land at Yorks Bridge, Lichfield Road, Pelsall

In addition to the above, for site WAH 236. Natural England object to any housing development in this area because this is part of a Core Habitat Zone (see Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) Mapping
- Ecorecord) and is essentially a hot spot of biodiversity across the northern part of the borough.

Additional housing will clearly add to increased recreational impacts on Pelsall North Common LNR
and potentially Clayhanger SSSI, which is notified for its grasslands and wetland habitats.

The adjacent Pelsall North Common LNR is an important wildlife site and potential addition to the Chasewater SSSI complex, and provides a biodiversity north and south connection for species as well as providing connectivity between Cannock Chase SAC/SSSI and Sutton Park SSSI.

It offers key biodiversity corridors linking Pelsall, Brownhills and Chasewater. Pelsall North Common is a sister site to Brownhills Common, which forms part of Chasewater and The Southern Staffordshire Coalfield Heaths SSSI, having an existing important lowland heathland which is almost as large as Brownhills Common and is one of most important old heathlands remaining in the area. This site lying close to Pelsall North Common with its acid grassland and relict heathland plays a part in a key wildlife corridor linking Cannock Chase down into the centre of Walsall. As such it is another
important wildlife site in the Birmingham and Black Country Nature Improvement Area. This site is within the core habitat zone identified by the Ecorecord Natural Capital Mapping and Local Nature Recovery Strategy 2021. There are exceptional opportunities to link this site with Brownhills to the north east that represent significant wildlife habitat gain and community enjoyment and access for the area.

In addition the site is in close proximity to Cannock Extension Canal SAC/ Cannock Extension Canal
SSSI which is notified for Luronium natans, Floating Water-plantain. This site allocation is likely to
have an adverse impact on the site through water and air pollution. Habitats Regulation Assessment of the site will be required.