Background Document and Initial Masterplan - Lichfield District ...

Land at Streethay House Farm, Burton Road, Streethay
Land at
Steethay House Farm
Streethay
Background Document
Prepared by Pegasus Planning Group | Miller Homes | January 2009 | Bir.2007_04_1
1

Land at Streethay House Farm, Burton Road, Streethay
2

Land at Streethay House Farm, Burton Road, Streethay
Introduction
• This document has been produced for
information to assist the preparation of
Lichfield District Council’s Local Development
Framework and to respond to the Preferred
Options Consultation of the Core Strategy.
• It has been produced in order to illustrate
how land at Streethay House Farm can meet
key objectives of sustainable development
whilst meeting the needs and aspirations of
Lichfield’s population.
• This document provides a summary of
environmental information regarding the site at
Streethay House Farm. This information has
enabled the major environmental constraints
and opportunities of the site to be identified
which in turn has helped formulate potential
development proposals and the production of
an Illustrative Development Framework Plan for
the site at Streethay House Farm.
Site Context Plan
3

Track
ROMAN ROAD
1
3
1
9
9
2
6
CLOSE
12
3
8
15
1
CROFT
12
4
7
2
MEADOW
1
11
11
2
19
16
16
1
61
15
F
(course of)
Und
Land at Streethay House Farm, Burton Road, Streethay
4
development
currently under
construction
Site Location Plan
BM 75.17m
Streethay Lodge
MP
LB
Tank
SL
SP
SP
24
ED and Ward Bdy
CROSSFIELD ROAD
Industrial Estate
Lichfield (Trent Valley) Station
76.0m
Trent
Valley
CR
LC
19
18
STATION APPROACH
25 to 26
Friary
House
Works
SL
SL
SB
SB
Tank
8
4
1
Works
76.9m
Spinney View
The Anchor
(PH)
The Cedars
Cedar
Cottage
Pond
Laburnum
Cottage
Rose
Cottage
Elverceter
Pond
SP
SP
23
35
Yew Tree
House
45
55
70
1
4
3
7
F
72.5m
Hollands
Crossing
The Poplars
LANE
Streethay
House
Laburnum
GP
Streethay
Cottage
BM 73.62m
BM 74.94m
BURTON OLD ROAD
HOLLAND
CLOSE
DYOTT
73.6m
Garage
73.2m
TCB
74.5m
MP.25
Level
Crossing
Pond
A 5127
MP 18.75
Level Crossing
BURTON ROAD
A 5127
BURTON OLD ROAD
STATION APPROACH
STATION APPROACH
Howarth House
Ward Bdy
Ridware
House
Bowling Green
Ppg Sta
Depot
The Trent
Valley
(Hotel)
Anchor Side
Bungalows
Leysters
BM 67.68m
El
Sub
Sta
El Sub Sta
Warehouse
Pond
73.9m
Field Cottage
LB
26
Ryknild
TREE
75.9m
The Cottage
The Manor House
Def
Street
ASH
ROMAN ROAD
Depot
Pumping station
SB
LB
Def
9
F
61
SLs
18
Def
Und
45
17
5
31
25
6
12
79
BAILYE CLOSE
Trent Vale House
Works
Depot
Cottage
Tank
2
El Sub Sta
Und
Def
Def
Issues
BM 75.30m
74.4m
WB
25
1
1
7
SLs
60
Und
Warehouse
74.1m
Depot
Playground
Garage
TRENT VALLEY ROAD
ED & Ward Bdy
VULCAN ROAD
Depot
Depot
76.6m
Chimney
76.0m
Tank
9
10
PO
14
18
41
35
20
2
8
F
Tank
11
63
CR
Def
FF
Ryknild Str et
1
Und
Def
BEXMORE DRIVE
Trent Valley Co tages
BURTON ROAD
BURTON ROAD
79.7m
El
9 to 10
16
BM 79.96m
Cro sfield House
Depot
Factory
Works
Works
Warehouse
Streethay
El Sub Sta
ED Bdy
EASTERN AVENUE
Trave ling Crane
Pavilion
Sub Sta
Pond
19
71
LC
11 to 15
VA LEY
LANE
TRENT VALLEY ROAD
Depot Works
2 to 3

Land at Streethay House Farm, Burton Road, Streethay
Site Context and Description
The site is located at Streethay House Farm, Burton Road, Streethay adjoining
Lichfield City to the east. Streethay is situated along the A5127 Burton Road, on
the north east side of Lichfield adjacent to the A38 Trunk road, as illustrated in the
site context plan on page 3.
The site comprises agricultural land and is a typical urban fringe site lying adjacent
to residential development, an industrial site and further agricultural land. The
southern boundary of the site adjoins the rear gardens of a ribbon of residential
dwellings parallel to Burton Road (A5127). To the west of the site lies the London
to North Western railway line (with Lichfield Trent Valley railway Station being approximately
300m southwest from the site) and beyond the railway line an industrial
estate. The north and north-eastern boundaries adjoin existing agricultural land
and the A38 road lies further to the east of the site.
The site is part of a network of agricultural fields and the majority is used for arable
production, although the eastern portion of the site houses residential properties,
tarmac tracks and farm buildings associated with Streethay House Farm. The farm
buildings include poultry-rearing sheds, small scale slaughterhouse, refrigeration
units and agricultural storage units. There are derelict former military barracks on
the site close to Streethay House Farm.
Vegetation is generally limited to field hedgerow boundaries and the site boundaries
with only a few hedgerows and large individual trees. A tarmac track however
is lined with a single row of prominent trees; aside from this the area is predominately
open. The topography of the site is dome-like and generally rises from
the south and Burton Road to a ridge in the central area of the site with a height
change of approximately 12m between the sites lowest (70m) and highest point
(82m).
5

19
PO
17
LB
Depot
Sta
Factory
Friary
House
Trent Vale House
Works
Def
Depot
CR
WB
Tank
Ridware
House
1
4
3
7
2
VA LEY
LANE
1
Def
Def
Works
Depot
Und
Und
SLs
Ppg Sta
Depot
Depot
F
Pavilion
Bowling Green
The Trent
Valley
(Hotel)
MP
Tank
9 to 10
8
4
2 to 3
1
Def
Works
LANE
19
18
LB
Industrial Estate
16
El
Sub Sta
24
76.6m
25 to 26
1 to 15
F
SLs
Works
Warehouse
STATION A PROACH
Works
Pond
Howarth House
Tank
Def
Warehouse
F
Works
Pond
SL
FF
ACH
Und
Und
Def
SB
F
Tank
Depot
SL
Depot
74.1m
Lichfield (Trent Valley) Station
Def
SL
Depot
25
Und
El Sub Sta
Tank
Lodge
Streethay
SP
SP
35
Pumping station
1
41
6
45
Chimney
12
BM 75.30m
El Sub Sta
19
31
26
Trent
Valley
Cottage
LC
LC
15
75.9m
SB
76.0m
18
SB
61
25
20
70
1
16
74.4m
7
8
79
9
5
1
60
71
BAILYE CLOSE
1
18
14
76.0m
63
1
61
9
Garage
10
2
7
Garage
55
23
CROFT
76.9m
The Cottage
SP
12
45
16
11
1
9
TT
CL
2
35
15
1
4
2
74.5m
Bungalows
Spinney View
73.9m
TCB
SP
1
GP
The Cedars
1
Cedar
Cottage
3
73.2m
(PH)
LB
2
8
Leysters
6
MP.25
12
Rose
Cottage
Laburnum
Cottage
Hollands
Crossing
The Poplars
© Copyright Pegasus Planning Group llp. © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Copyright Licence number 100042093 I Promap Licence number 100020449 . Drawings prepared for planning application purposes and can be scaled (drawings are not to be used for construction or sales documents).
Please refer to (client) for development design risk assessment documents. Pegasus Urban Design is part of Pegasus Planning Group LLP. Any queries to be reported to Pegasus for clarification.
Level
Crossing
Pond
9
The
Pond
Pond
Track
Field Cottage
Elverceter
BM 67.68m
Streethay
Cottage
Level Crossing
MP 18.75
1
ew
rks
25
Warehouse
The
25
Land at Streethay House Farm, Burton Road, Streethay
KEY
Existing landscape features
Country Park
Bus route / bus stops
Existing bridleway
70m
H8
Existing footpath
H4
Streethay
House
th
Farm
Listed Buildings
75m
80m
Playing Fields
H9
A 5127
ethay
Stre
Existing residential
(on site)
Proposed
woodland
H5
H7
Streethay
BM 73.62m
Ryknild Street
ROAD
Existing employment
(on site) (1.91ha)
Proposed residential
(24.3 ha gross)
Indicative residential capacity
of 850 dwellings @ 35 dph
H2
H6
Public House
Laburnum
House
ASH
TREE
Proposed public open space
(15 ha)
HOLLAND
CLOSE
BURTON ROAD
LANE
Indicative proposed access
ED & Ward Bdy
VULCAN ROAD
H1
H3
BM 75.17m
A 5127
Yew Tree
House
MEADOW
73.6m
DYOTT
BS
CLOSE
BM 74.94m
BURTON OLD ROAD
development
currently under
construction
Proposed landscaping
Proposed footpath/cycleway
ED Bdy
BURTON ROAD
Trent Valley Co tages
BEXMORE DRIVE
Link to Railway station
EASTERN AVENUE
Trave ling Crane
Gateway
ED and Ward Bdy
BURTON OLD ROAD
Ryknild Str et
ROMAN ROAD
(course of)
Community hub
(1.5 ha)
TRENT VA LEY ROAD
Feature square
CROSSFIELD ROAD
STATION APPROACH
Lichfield
(Trent Valley)
Railway Station
Scheduled ancient
monument
Cro sfield House
CAPPERS LANE
north
0 50 100
200m
| T 01285 888084 | F 01285 885115 | www.ppg-llp.co.uk |
Land at Streethay House Farm, Lichfield - Illustrative Development Framework
Illustrative Development Framework Plan
| Team MC/JA | January 2009 | 1:2500 @A1 | Pegasus Urban Design | drwg.BIR.2007_02-6 | Miller Homes
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Land at Streethay House Farm, Burton Road, Streethay
Proposed Development and Accessibility
Proposed Development
Although proposals are at an early stage, the Illustrative Development Framework
Plan ensures the built form responds to the existing landscape and topography on
the site whilst integrating with the existing built form of the City of Lichfield and its
immediate surroundings at Streethay. Development in this location can respond to
the existing built form of Streethay and pay particular regard to the Listed Buildings
and character of the area in the vicinity of the site. Areas of public open space including
formal playing fields and informal recreation are shown on the highest part
of the site to ensure the development does not intrude into the open countryside
to the north.
Existing landscape features across the site can be retained wherever possible, in
order to provide a level of maturity to the development from an early stage. Existing
hedgerows and landscape features can be strengthened and new planting can
occur where suitable in order to provide a buffer between the built form and the
open countryside. This will also assist in creating new habitats for wildlife and help
to create a green infrastructure network on what is currently an open and sparse
landscape. Planting can also be used throughout the development in order to
soften the built form.
Walking and cycling will be promoted throughout the development through the
provision of new linkages to the existing network of public footpaths and bridleways.
All roadside footways can be designed to ensure safe and convenient use
by the disabled whilst the proposed road network will have consideration to the
cyclist’s safely.
Within the residential development, a range of house types, sizes and tenures can
be proposed in order to assist the creation of a balanced community with a variety
of households thereby minimising social exclusion. This also ensures that a range
of densities can be achieved across the development.
Taking into account these issues, specifically the topographic and landscape constraints
which affect the site, we foresee the potential for the creation of a development
which could accommodate the amount of development envisaged in the
Core Strategy Preferred Options, as demonstrated on the Illustrative Development
Framework Plan on pg 6;
•
•
•
Approximately 24 ha of residential development (equivalent to approximately
850 dwellings at 35 dph);
Community facilities contained within a community hub area;
The potential to provide a large area of open space in the form of natural
parkland and formal playing space where necessary.
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Land at Streethay House Farm, Burton Road, Streethay
As the proposals progress, the development design can ensure the creation of
a safe and secure neighbourhood through the use of the following;
•
•
•
•
•
Well defined routes, spaces and entrances that provide for convenient
movement without compromising security;
Clearly structured distribution of uses to avoid conflict;
Promotion of a sense of ownership, respect, territorial responsibility and
community;
Inclusion of necessary physical protection and security features; and
Encouragement of a variety of human activities in appropriate locations.
8

Land at Streethay House Farm, Burton Road, Streethay
Sustainability and Accessibility to Existing Facilities
The site is situated in a sustainable location on the edge of the urban development
of Lichfield City. Future residents could therefore take advantage of the nearby
amenities and infrastructure accessible to them, encouraging the use of more sustainable
means of transport rather than the reliance on long private car journeys.
In addition, the proposed development can provide further facilities for future and
existing residents. For example;
• The site is close to the existing main employment areas and to those which
are proposed as part of the Core Strategy Preferred Options around Trent
Valley.
• The site is served by existing bus routes on Burton Road, with frequent
services throughout the day and evening. The proposed development could
enhance these public transport services, particularly by encouraging a more
frequent bus service which would penetrate the site. This would encourage
the use of more sustainable means of transport, as opposed to the reliance
on the private car. If deemed appropriate, the bus service could route via
Lichfield Trent Valley Station.
• Public transport facilities could be further enhanced by the provision of clean
and well lit bus shelters with real time bus information displayed.
• The site is within walking distance of Lichfield Trent Valley Station which
provides local Central services to Lichfield and Birmingham New Street on
the Lichfield to Redditch line. Virgin trains also use this line to provide longer
distance services to Birmingham International Airport, Rugby and London
amongst other destinations.
• The site lies within cycling distance of Lichfield but no local dedicated cycling
facilities exist. As part of the development proposals, appropriate cycling facilities
could be introduced to encourage more sustainable means of transport
and these would be discussed and agreed with the Local Highway Authority.
• The development will provide accessible open space to future and existing
residents with the provision of the country park and other open space areas,
encouraging outdoor activities which are accessible on foot.
Conclusion
The site provides an excellent opportunity to provide sustainable development
with a distinctive character and strong sense of place in a location which is easily
accessible from and to the existing built area of Lichfield. There is sufficient land
area to provide housing numbers sufficient to meet the Local Development Framework
requirements for the site and supporting infrastructure in terms of community
facilities and new connections. The accompanying Illustrative Development
Framework Plan provides a graphic representation of some initial ideas on how
development could be accomodated on land at Streethay. Our clients look forward
to working with Lichfield District Council to develop these proposals further.
9

Land at Streethay House Farm, Burton Road, Streethay
10

Land at Streethay House Farm, Burton Road, Streethay
Landscape
An initial landscape and visual appraisal has been conducted to identify the opportunities
and constraints of the site with regard to its future development. The
appraisal considers landscape resources, landscape character and general visual
amenity.
Assessment
Desktop studies and site surveys during 2006, 2007 and 2008 have been undertaken
to provide the baseline data on which an appraisal can be based. This stage
involves recording and analysing information about the site and its surroundings
and the identification of important landscape features and their ability to accommodate
future development.
Landscape Site Description and Context
The site predominantly comprises agricultural land and, as is typical of urban fringe
sites, lies adjacent to residential development, an industrial site and further agricultural
land. The south east edge of the site adjoins the rear gardens of a ribbon
of recent housing parallel to Burton Road (A5127). The site is part of a network
of agricultural fields and on its northern edge has views over the open landscape
towards Curborough, Fradley and Burton. The western boundary adjoins an
industrial estate and a mainline railway. The eastern portion of the site houses
buildings associated with Streethay House Farm including the listed farm house.
The buildings include poultry-rearing sheds and agricultural storage units. There
are derelict former military barracks on the site close to Streethay House Farm.
In brief, the majority of the site is used for arable production, although there are
also farm buildings on the site, with associated tarmac tracks. The tracks are
lined with single rows of trees and there are a couple of hedgerows and large individual
trees at the boundaries of the site, although the area is predominately open.
The topography of the site is dome-like with a height change of approximately
12m between the site’s lowest (70m AOD) and highest point (82m AOD).
Landscape Resources
There are no landscape designations covering the site. There are a number of
listed buildings adjacent to the site and one, Streethay House Farm, within the site
which can be retained within any proposals.
The surrounding landuse is typical of an urban fringe site and encompasses
industrial (on western boundary), transport (on western and southern boundaries),
residential (on southern boundary) and agricultural uses (on north and eastern
boundaries). Streethay itself lies off the southern boundaries and contains a core
of older pre-20th century properties and more recent housing dating from the latter
20th century and dwellings constructed in the past few years. There is a small
park located between Burton Road and the southern boundary of the site which
contains grass and children’s play equipment.
With regards to the site itself, the majority of the land is used for arable and agricultural
purposes. Vegetation is largely limited to field boundaries or the borders of
the site, apart from a cluster of young to early mature trees to the east of Streethay
House Farm. Also, leading out from Streethay, and crossing the site are a
number of prominent tree lines, each formed by a single species namely: Lombardy
poplar, white poplar and birch. These lines of trees are prominent features
in an otherwise open and sparsely vegetated landscape and therefore will be
retained where possible within any proposals.
11

Land at Streethay House Farm, Burton Road, Streethay
Landscape Visual Analysis Plan
12

Land at Streethay House Farm, Burton Road, Streethay
The site also contains a public right of way which emerges from the houses on
Burton Road and runs north-west across the site. In addition a bridleway branches
off in a north-easterly direction before heading back towards Burton Road.
Landscape Character
Identified as part of the Countryside Agency’s Landscape Character Area 67 Cannock
Chase and Cank Wood, the site exhibits the following key characteristics
listed for the area:
•
•
•
•
•
a very varied landscape with a range of industrial, residential, agricultural and
recreational land uses
an extensive urban fringe
open arable areas with low hedges
the landscape towards Lichfield becomes gently rolling with large arable fields,
coverts and belts of trees
hedges have often been reduced or removed and some areas have an almost
arable prairie quality in which hedgerow trees too have disappeared.
Negative characteristics are described as:
•
•
the deterioration of hedges
many of the new employment sites lack appropriate landscape treatments.
The exposed urban/industrial edge, particularly along Eastern Avenue is a raw,
unattractive landscape element and is a detractor on the open countryside.
Visual Amenity
A visual analysis of the site is presented in plan form on page 12.
Close range views into the site from the south are generally limited by the houses
along Burton Road. There are views into the site from the children’s play area,
although these are then constrained by the area of higher land towards the centre
of the site. There are glimpsed views over the site, with Streethay in the foreground,
from the A38 trunk road as it passes to the south of Streethay on a raised
embankment.
There are also limited views from the west due to the industrial built form along
Eastern Avenue which prevents all but glimpsed views between buildings. Intervening
land form prevents views from further west.
From the east of the site, there are limited publicly accessible places which give
rise to views into the site. From the Fradley Business Park, Industrial Estates and
A38 (travelling south-west) there are distant and sometimes intermittent views
which set the site in the context of the urban fringe, as Lichfield stretches out in
the far distance.
From the north, longer range views into the site are prevented by intervening landform.
Close range views from the PROW are, at times, constrained by the higher
land and channelled towards the industrial estate.
13

Land at Streethay House Farm, Burton Road, Streethay
14

Land at Streethay House Farm, Burton Road, Streethay
Landscape and Visual Constraints and Opportunities and
Rationale of Proposed Development
The baseline information developed from the desk study and site survey enables
the identification of the opportunities and constraints of the site to accommodate
development. The Illustrative Development Framework Plan given on page 6 has
been informed by this appraisal.
The topography of the site would enable development on the lower lying land to
be screened from the open countryside and strategic landscape infrastructure
proposed as part of the site development can be designed to soften and filter
views of the development from sensitive locations. The area of highest sensitivity
to development, i.e. the most elevated and exposed areas of the site can be
designated as areas of open space as shown on the Illustrative Development
Framework Plan and there would be the opportunity for vegetated buffer strips
and areas of woodland to soften the influence of the urban edge.
Conclusion
The site is typical and characteristic of the urban fringe, and is influenced by
residential, industrial and agricultural landuse. It has few landscape features of
value and vegetation is largely confined to field boundaries or the boundaries of
the actual site.
Development could be accommodated within the site without adverse effects on
the open countryside and indeed could bring about a beneficial effect by improving
the transition from the urban to the rural landscape through a carefully designed
proposal which fully embraces the need for landscape infrastructure and
open space provision.
The proposal would provide the opportunity to introduce landscape infrastructure
to this denuded site by areas of open space, woodland and a strong landscape
structure throughout the built-up areas of the proposal. The location of an area
of public open space on the highest ground would give residents of the proposed
development and existing residents in Streethay the opportunity to enjoy long
range views of the countryside.
Looking towards the site from the north, and east, the site is seen in the context of
the existing industrial and urban edge and this is a detracting influence. The urban
fringe does not have to be fully screened to prevent adverse effects on the open
countryside: views of built-up areas are characteristic in the area; however, they
can be enhanced by presenting a strong and well designed edge, with landscape
infrastructure planting to soften the influence. For example, views of the upper
storeys/ rooflines of attractive buildings and, in appropriate locations fuller views of
landmark buildings, with the street level comings-and-goings (domestic influences/
industrial activity/traffic movements) screened from the inactive countryside would
enhance this degraded and exposed transition zone.
15

Land at Streethay House Farm, Burton Road, Streethay
16

Land at Streethay House Farm, Burton Road, Streethay
Ecology
The majority of the site has been subject to an initial Phase One Habitat survey
and some preliminary protected species surveys during 2006 and 2008. Alongside
a desk based study, this has enabled an initial assessment of the potential ecological
constraints and opportunities available at the site, which has helped and
will continue to inform, development proposals.
Designations
There are no statutory national, county or district level designated ecological sites
within the development area or within close proximity of the site boundaries.
Flora
The site was subject to on-site surveys during 2006 and 2008 and the following
habitat / vegetation types were identified within the site:
Arable: the majority of the site consists of open arable land which is considered
to be of low value in ecological terms. These areas are low in floral diversity due
to the associated high input of fertiliser, pesticide and herbicide. No uncommon
species associated with arable land were recorded. This habitat is considered to
be of low ecological and wildlife conservation value and is replicated elsewhere in
abundance within the wider landscape. It is therefore considered the loss of this
habitat should not present any major constraint to development.
Improved grassland: identified within the site’s western areas. In common with
most improved grasslands, herb diversity was low and those species observed
were typically the more locally abundant competitive species. Some of the improved
grassland was redundant arable land. This habitat is considered to be
of low ecological and wildlife conservation value and is replicated elsewhere in
abundance within the wider landscape. It is therefore considered the loss of this
habitat should not present any major constraint to development, particularly as the
proposals include large areas of managed open space/ a county park and strategic
green infrastructure which will help improve nature conservation value according
to local BAP initiatives where applicable.
Semi-improved grassland: identified particularly within the south and south east
of the site. Areas are typical of abandoned pasture and consist of rank unmanaged
swards and dominated by a limited number of grass species. This habitat is
considered to be of low ecological and wildlife conservation value and is replicated
elsewhere in abundance within the wider landscape. It is therefore considered
the loss of this habitat should not present any major constraint to development,
particularly as the proposals include large areas of managed open space.
Scrub: some areas of scrub are present within the site which includes areas of
dense hawthorn and outgrown hedgerows. As the species diversity is relatively
low and such habitats are also replicated elsewhere within the wider landscape, it
is therefore considered the loss of these features presents no restraint to development.
Hedgerows and Trees: the presence of hedgerows are generally confined to the
boundaries of the site, specifically the western and eastern extents of the site, or
field boundaries. Hedgerows are absent from a large part of the central area due
to the intensively managed agricultural nature of the landscape. The hedgerows
located in the western site area are managed and relatively species-rich comprising
abundant hawthorn with frequent elder and locally abundant elm Ulmus sp.
Hedgerows located within the eastern extent are, outgrown and unmanaged and
slightly less species-rich, being dominated by hawthorn with locally dominant
blackthorn. None of the hedgerows are species rich, however they do provide
nest and forage habitat for a wide range of animals including birds, insects, small
terrestrial mammals and provide some limited habitat linkage in an area lacking in
17

Land at Streethay House Farm, Burton Road, Streethay
connectivity as a result of sympathetic land use practices. A number of mature
trees were also recorded within the survey area, many of which are confined to
hedgerows. The development provides the opportunity to, not only retain these
features where possible, but also to increase planting across the site and improve
the current ecological habitats by providing foraging/nesting resource for birds
and small mammals. Additional strategic planting and areas of open space will
help create a linked network of green infrastructure on site, enabling the movement
of animals across an otherwise unsuitable, intensively managed habitat
thereby increasing the benefit to the local wildlife population. The open space
areas will also be appropriately managed to help maintain these positive benefits.
Watercourses: a dry ditch / ephemeral stream is situated at the southern end of
the site, surrounded by bankside vegetation. Further streams/ditches are also
present within the north east/east of the site, which contained water at the time
of surveys. Currently the ecological values of these features are relatively low and
therefore present no restraint to development. As part of the proposals however,
consideration will be given to the potential retention and enhancement of this feature
which could act as a habitat and a corridor for wildlife movement, alongside
providing amenity benefits.
Fauna
Preliminary protected species surveys were undertaken in 2006 and 2008 of the
following species:
Bats: three transect activity surveys were undertaken during the summer of 2008
to assess the level of activity and species using the site. Overall activity levels
were low with only a small number of common species recorded. The majority of
activity was recorded along the tree lines near Streethay House Farm, most probably
due to the fact these are the only features in a landscape otherwise dominated
by arable farmland. Where possible these tree lines will be retained within the
proposals, however given the small number of common bats using them they are
not considered to be a significant constraint to development. The mature trees on
site which may provide roost potential will also be maintained where possible. The
development and additional planting, including the green open spaces/country
park could indeed increase bat activity by providing favourable habitats for roosting
and foraging.
Badgers: a badger survey was undertaken on the site in 2008, however no evidence
of use by badgers was found anywhere on site. Badgers therefore do not
pose any significant constraints to development.
Reptiles: seven presence/absence surveys were completed during the summer of
2008 focusing on suitable habitat which was restricted to field margins. No reptiles
were found during any of the surveys, therefore it can be concluded they do not
pose any constraints to development.
Great Crested Newts: there are no ponds within the site area, however a number
of ponds exist just within 500m of the site boundaries. Investigations in 2006 considered
the potential for GCN within these ponds as low-moderate, however our
clients are happy to work with the District Council and other stakeholders to carry
out further work and/or consider suitable mitigation measures where necessary to
ensure there is no unacceptable adverse effects to such species.
Farmland Birds: some hedgerows, scrub and a number of mature and semi-mature
trees occur within the survey site boundary, which provide good opportunities
for foraging and nesting farmland birds. Some field margins also present a
potentially valuable resource for both ground, and tree nesting birds. However, the
site provides only a small percentage of the available bird habitat within the area,
most of which is very similar in characteristics to the site. It is therefore considered
the loss of this land is not a constraint to development. In addition, the numerous
areas of managed open spaces, including the large country park, proposed in the
development, alongside additional strategic planting of hedgerows and trees, is
likely to provide good opportunities for foraging and nesting farmland birds.
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Land at Streethay House Farm, Burton Road, Streethay
Conclusion
The majority of the site consists of species-poor arable land with small areas of
relatively species-poor improved and semi-improved grassland. These are considered
to be of low ecological and wildlife conservation value and are replicated
elsewhere in abundance within the wider landscape. Trees and hedgerows are
relatively minimal across the site, and are generally confined to field/site boundaries.
None of the hedgerows are species rich, however these, and existing trees,
will be maintained where possible to help provide corridors across the otherwise
open habitats. These, in addition to new planting across the site, will also provide
foraging/nesting resource for birds and small mammals. It is therefore considered
the loss of the existing habitats should not present any major constraint to
development, particularly as the proposals include large areas of managed open
space/county park and strategic green infrastructure which will help improve nature
conservation value according to local BAP initiatives.
Protected species surveys indicate there are no signs of badgers or reptiles on the
site and bat activity levels are low with only a small number of common species
recorded, mainly along the tree lines near Streethay House Farm. These tree lines
will be retained within the proposals where possible. As a result it can be concluded
these species are not considered to be a significant constraint to development,
and the proposals may in fact encourage species by providing suitable foraging,
nesting and roosting habitats within the areas of open space/county park, resulting
in beneficial ecological effects.
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Land at Streethay House Farm, Burton Road, Streethay
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Land at Streethay House Farm, Burton Road, Streethay
Archaeology
A preliminary Archaeological Appraisal of the site has been undertaken in 2006
to identify the nature and extent of the recorded below-ground archaeological
resources and built heritage remains (collectively known as the ‘cultural heritage
resource’) within both the site and its immediate environs and determine whether
cultural heritage would be a constraint to development.
There are no international World Heritage Sites present within, or in the vicinity of,
the site. There are also no national Grade I or Grade II* Listed buildings, Grade I or
II* Registered Parks or Gardens, or Registered Battlefields which lie within the site
or surrounding vicinity. One Grade II Listed building, Streethay House Farmhouse,
is present within the site. This building will be retained in the proposed scheme
and its setting within the development given careful consideration. Six other Grade
II Listed buildings are present in the vicinity, however it is not anticipated the development
will unacceptably affect these properties. One Scheduled Monument, a
moated site, lies to the east of the site and twenty-six sites locally recorded on the
Staffordshire Historic Environments Record are present in the vicinity of the site.
The proposed development will give consideration to these resources and careful
design will ensure none of these are unacceptably adversely affected.
planning system following the advice in PPG16.
Following the preliminary archaeological appraisal it can therefore be concluded
that there are no major issues identified which are likely to preclude development.
This was also recognised in an Assessment of Historic Landscape Character
completed on behalf of the council which scored relatively low in terms of the
significance of the historic landscape, and concluded that the area could accommodate
medium to large scale development, potentially with appropriate mitigation
strategies.
Our clients would be happy to liaise with the District and County Council to agree
further archaeological investigations where deemed necessary, the scope of
which would be agreed with Staffordshire County Council Archaeology Service.
This will help inform and progress the design of any proposals, in addition to allowing
any necessary mitigation measures to be devised in line with PPG 16 so to
ensure there are no unacceptable adverse effects to cultural heritage as a result of
the proposed development.
Not surprisingly given the size of the site, there are small areas of archaeological
potential within the site. However, there is currently no evidence to suggest that
archaeological remains of national importance, which would form a constraint to
development, are present within the site. Any remains are unlikely to be of sufficient
importance to preclude development, and given the arable land use of the
site, could well have been destroyed or truncated by agricultural practices. It is
therefore anticipated any remains can be dealt with in the normal way through the
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Land at Streethay House Farm, Burton Road, Streethay
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Land at Streethay House Farm, Burton Road, Streethay
Conclusions
We trust the information contained within this document
is of use to the council in the production of
the Lichfield Local Development Framework and
Core Strategy.
We are aware the development of proposals is
an iterative process and our clients look forward
to working with Lichfield District Council and
other relevant stakeholders in taking these ideas
forward.
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Land at Streethay House Farm, Burton Road, Streethay
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