Ecology
Close collaboration between the ecologist and landscape architect took place together with the rest of the design team. The scheme has a rich mosaic of habitat providing a moderate beneficial impact on the ecological value of the site.
Ecological Study
A quick reference for the gains, losses and balance within the new development. Overall the gains outweigh the losses which is a positive use of the site.
Feature | Loss | Gain | Balance | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mature trees | One mature apple tree. | Planting of 16m of standard trees and planting of native tree and shrub species along the retained section of the existing central hedge bank. | Creation of more valuable habitat for biodiversity. | Minor beneficial, Site. |
| Improved grassed paddocks | 2931m3 | 1700m2 of species rich grassland and 569m2 of semi-improved grassland. | Loss of 662m2 of amenity grassland. However, creation of species rich grassland with flowering plants within the sward of value to invertebrates and foraging habitat for badgers. | Minor beneficial, Site, as replacement with more valuable habitat. |
| Pond | None. | Creation of new 21m2 pond adjacent to the dwelling and a second pond adjacent to the southern boundary. | Creation of more valuable habitat for biodiversity (amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates). | Moderate beneficial, Site. |
| Green / brown roof | None. | Creation of a new green/brown roof over the utility area. | Creation of more valuable habitat for biodiversity. | Moderate beneficial, Site. |
| Bats | No loss of bat habitat. | New bat roosting opportunities: new insulated roost for bats along the eastern aspect of the new building and three new wooden bat boxes on retained oak trees. | New roosting opportunities. | Minor beneficial, Site. |
| Hedgehogs | None. | Hedgehog box along the southern site boundary. | New artificial refugia. | Potential increase in the use of the site by hedgehogs – moderate beneficial at a Site level. |
| Breeding birds | None. | New planting of 50m of evergreen hedgebank and 16m of standard trees with bird nesting potential. Four wooden bird boxes on retained trees. | Creation of more valuable habitat for biodiversity. | Minor beneficial, Site. |