Conservation Planner 20 - RSPB

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Training pack helps wildlife on-site Energy efficiency – how planners can help Climate change poses one of the most significant long-term threats to society and biodiversity. In response, the UK Government is committed to producing 10% of our electricity needs from renewable sources by 2010 and to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 60% by 2050. Improving energy efficiency is key to achieving these targets and the planning system should play a major role. Last year, the London Borough of Merton became the first local authority to adopt a pro-renewables planning policy in its Unitary Development Plan (UDP). The policy encourages energy efficiency in the design of buildings and in their layout and orientation. It will also now expect that all new non-residential buildings larger than 1,000 m 2 source at least 10% of their predicted energy requirements from on-site renewables, such as solar photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies. In approving the policy, the Government Inspector said that there was unambiguous national and regional support for Merton’s approach. It is clear that this type of policy can be successfully and legally adopted. The Mayor of London sets out a similar approach in his draft London Energy Strategy and has extended its application to residential developments of 10 dwellings or more. It is expected that many London boroughs will soon follow suit. Bat roosts can be at risk on building sites The construction industry body, CIRIA, has recently published a resource and training pack, part-funded by the RSPB, which it hopes will improve the industry’s ability to address the impacts of development projects on local wildlife and habitats. Working with wildlife highlights the virtue of knowing your site, while addressing the fundamentals of ecology, current legislation and the relationships between wildlife and construction projects. It is an excellent source of advice for planners. John Kaczanow Oldham Metropolitan Council has included a policy like Merton’s in its revised deposit draft UDP (due to be considered at a public inquiry in mid to late 2004) and, like London, has extended the policy to include residential developments of 10 or more units. We should all applaud the contribution that these policies will make to achieving the Government’s 2010 renewables target. However, we also need to remember that buildings are designed to last well beyond the 2010 deadline and that developments subject to these policies will be considered to be outdated within 20 years. The Government has an aspirational target of producing 20% of the UK’s electricity needs from renewables by 2020. It is important, therefore, that planning authorities are visionary and have regard for the longer-term carbon reduction target as well as the shorter-term renewables targets when developing new planning policies. Richard Oxley Transport and Energy Policy Officer, UK Headquarters e-mail: richard.oxley@rspb.org.uk Recognising the influence that planning and conservation legislation has upon the industry, the pack suggests that we move beyond simply complying with the minimum legal requirement and highlights the role that client and designer can have in achieving Biodiversity Action Plan targets at a local level. It highlights ways in which project staff at all levels can be involved in improving performance in relation to wildlife issues. Using briefing sheets, toolbox talks and presentation materials, it demonstrates what to do and how to do it when you encounter certain species on-site. Mark Southgate For further information on the pack, visit www.ciria.org or contact CIRIA by telephoning 020 7549 3300 or e-mailing enquiries@ciria.org The combined heat and power plant at Beddington Zero Energy Development 6
Planning for wildlife in housing developments How does a city of 80,000 people accommodate another 4,500 houses when it is surrounded by beautiful, wildlife-rich countryside? Worcester faced this dilemma 15 years ago. Working with the developers right from the start, Worcester City Council’s planning department took a deliberately wildlife-friendly approach to planning the new homes, which are now in place in the Warndon Villages. Survey The area chosen for development was situated between the city and the M5. Detailed surveying was carried out at the beginning of the process to identify the natural assets here. Forty-seven ponds were found, of which 12 contained great crested newts. There was also a 28.7 km hedgerow network, two semi-natural ancient woodlands and 50 hectares of unimproved grassland. The vast majority of the fields were classified as improved grassland or arable, which meant that they had little wildlife value, relative to the surrounding hedges. Selection and retention of natural assets The planners and developers decided to plan the development around the retention of selected natural assets. This willingness to work around existing assets is very welcome as, all too often, a chosen site has to accommodate a near-finalised development scheme. Rather than make one single housing estate, the 4,500 houses were split up into a number of ‘villages’ – effectively, small estates that were ‘dropped into’ the existing field structure. This ‘village’ arrangement meant that the vast majority of the hedgerows were kept, and they provided a framework around which the roads, cycle paths, shops and houses could be planned. Although 5.6 km of hedgerow were lost, 4 km of native hedgerow (as opposed to garden hedges) were planted during the development, and 1.2 km of hedgerows were restored, so the net loss was only 0.4 km. With three main developers, numerous sub-developers and 4,500 plots, it would not be surprising if there were a few problems. However, even hedgerow boundary and individual hedgerow management issues were tackled by fostering good communication at different stages of the project. Management Management was reintroduced to the two semi-natural ancient woodlands, which has improved their structure and habitat diversity. While eight of the 47 ponds were lost during development, 14 were either created or renovated. The Warndon area now contains the highest concentration of great crested newt ponds in the country, with just under three ponds per square kilometre. Other ponds here have become important habitats for smooth newts and the common frog. All the ponds host a healthy range of invertebrates, including two Red Data Book beetles. This tailored and sensitive approach has produced a large-scale development while avoiding the loss of valuable landscape and wildlife. The Warndon development is now maturing into a local biodiversity haven. If you would like more information, please contact: Rory McClure Project Greenspace Officer, Worcester City Council e-mail: rmcclure@cityofworcester.gov.uk or telephone 01905 722500 Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) A cycleway and footpath alongside an original field hedgerow at Warndon One of Warndon’s many newt ponds 7
Page 1 and 2: MARCH 2004 EDITION 20 The Beddingto
Page 3 and 4: Lakenheath Fen in Suffolk - putting
Page 5: Homes for birds The house sparrow -

Conservation Planner 20 - RSPB

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?