Environmental Statement volume 4 - Chiltern Evergreen3

3.3.3 In addition along the corridor there are residential areas, parks and open spaces,footpaths and Public Right Of Way (PROW), which would need to be taken intoconsideration in the EIA as these are potential receptors to impacts.3.3.4 The proposed scheme will not directly affect any Areas of Outstanding NaturalBeauty (AONB) as the nearest designated Chilterns AONB is located approximately7.5 km away to the west.3.3.5 The proposed station buildings along the railway corridor will have the potential tochange landscape and visual amenity and will need to be considered in the EIA.3.3.6 In addition to potential effects on views from the areas above the scheme has thepotential to result in visual improvements to certain areas, for instance whereunattractive buildings such as the grain silos at Water Eaton Park and Ride site maybe replaced as part of the scheme. The scheme design will incorporate landscapeand visual measures to ensure that opportunities for visual improvements areconsidered.3.4 ECOLOGY AND NATURE CONSERVATIONIntroduction3.4.1 The EIA will assess the impacts of the proposed scheme on the ecological resourceswithin the study area. Ecological resources that will be considered includeprotected and Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species and habitats and habitats thatsupport or potentially support protected or BAP species. The study area comprisesthe following areas of proposed works:• the existing rail corridor;• crossing points and new bridge locations;• station sites; and• land needed for the new Bicester Cord.For the purposes of this Scoping Report, a preliminary desk based assessment wasundertaken in order to identify sensitive ecological receptors, including:• sites designated for national or local nature conservation value;• UK and local BAP habitats and species; and• protected or notable species including flora and fauna present or potentiallysupported by habitats within the study corridor.In addition the Scoping Report draws on information recorded during a walkthroughsurvey of the existing rail corridor.3.4.2 The desk study drew on a range of sources of information (see Box 3.1):ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT21CHILTERN RAILWAYS LTD