Comment

Representation ID: 21297

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Owl Homes

Agent: Barton Willmore

Draft Policy ENV1 – Nature Conservation
Draft Policy ENV1 seeks to safeguard and improve nature conservation within the Black Country, through a number of measures. This includes providing adequate information with planning applications for proposals that may affect any designated site or important habitat, species or geological feature.

In this regard, it is noted that a Local Sites Assessment Report has been undertaken in relation to the Site and has been published as part of the evidence base to the BCP. This provides further detail on the ecological status of the Site, which is considered to offer little intrinsic value other than the hedgerow running from the railway road bridge alongside Bosty Lane (B4154) to the corner with Middlemore Lane West. This is proposed to be retained as part of the development. The Daw End Railway Cutting SSSI borders the Site to the north. There are no existing buildings within the Site and the majority of landscaping, which is predominantly located on the peripheries of the Site is proposed to be retained. Therefore, it is anticipated that the proposal would have limited impact on ecology and through the enhancement of landscaping will provide opportunities for net gains to biodiversity. Further ecological survey work will be undertaken and provided as part of any future planning application at the Site.