Landscape and Biodiversity Management Strategy - Runnymede ...

Item
Landscape and Biodiversity Management Strategy
4. DESCRIPTION OF THE SITE AND THE LOCAL LANDSCAPE
4.1 Site Context
The site, roughly triangular in plan, is approximately 43 hectares and lies to the north of
the M3 motorway. It is bound by the Reading to Waterloo railway line and the Wentworth
golf course and estate to the north; and Burma Road and Chobham Common, Special
Area of Conservation, and Special Protection Area to the west. The site lies within the
county of Surrey and falls largely within the administrative area of Runnymede Borough
Council and some within the administrative area of Surrey Heath Borough Council.
Chobham Common is located to the west of the Application Site, an area of 647.63ha. It
is the largest National Nature Reserve in the south-east. Chobham Common is
designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and as a National Nature
Reserve. It is also component part of the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area
(SPA) and the Thursley, Ash, Pirbright and Chobham Special Area of Conservation
(SAC). The area consists of lowland heaths and broadleaves, mixed and yew woodland.
The SSSI boundary extends to a section of woodland adjacent to the southwest corner of
the site.
The Application Site is located within Longcross, Surrey. The landscape to the east is
farmland divided by wooded hedgerows, to the west and south is Chobham Common, an
area of lowland heathland and to the north is Wentworth golf course and the settlement of
Virgina Water.
The site is a brownfield area, predominantly used as a film studio and other uses,
dominated by numerous buildings of varying sizes with associated hardstanding. Access
to the site is from Chobham Lane and Burma Road. The majority of the siteʼs perimeter is
wooded with deciduous and evergreen species.
4.2 Existing Landscape Components
The site includes the following landscape and habitat components, taken from the
Ecological Appraisal and surveys by EPR in 2012:
• Woodland
• Grassland
• Pond
• Stream
These landscape and habitat components are described in further detail below;
4.3 Woodland
The majority of the siteʼs perimeter is wooded, visually containing the existing buildings.
There are two distinct tree belts within the site itself, travelling north to south, forming
strong landscape structures. The eastern end of the site, comprises of a triangle of
woodland. The predominant species are Scots Pine and Birch, with few ornamental or
exotic species. Woodland in the central parts also includes Oak, Sweet Chestnut and
Beech. The woodlands have been planted in the last 100 years, therefore there are no
ancient woodlands within the site.
4