Airport Masterplan 2035 LOW RES

Masterplan 2035
Local Conservation Interest. There are also a number of
wildlife corridors running through or close to the Airport
site. Although quite distant from the Airport, there are
also sections of the South East Northumberland coast
designated as a Ramsar and Special Protection Area
because of the bird life. Any changes to approaches
associated with the runway would need to closely consider
any impact on the wildlife associated with these areas.
10.76 Analysis of on-site habitat and recorded species on sites
within a certain radius of the Airport showed that Badgers,
Otters, Water Voles, Red Squirrels, and number of bat
species are known to be present close to the Airport and
there is suitable on-site habitat to support them. Numerous
protected bird species have also been recorded close to
the site.
10.77 Any potential impacts from the delivery of the Masterplan
will be carefully considered and controlled through
the planning system, and we will ensure that required
surveying and mitigation are undertaken in line with
guidance and policy in Local Development Plans.
Mitigation could include –
l Management of on-site habitat;
l On-site habitat enhancement or creation, or when this is
not possible offsite mitigation;
l Future landscaping associated with the new
development designed to maximise appropriate
biodiversity value;
10.78 Biodiversity enhancement close to the airfield has to be
balanced with the need to safeguard the operation of the
airfield from an increased risk of wildlife strikes, particularly
in relation to birds. Therefore the Airport cannot support the
creation of habitat such as open water close to the Airfield,
which has the potential to bring an increased number of
hazardous species such as geese and gulls into close
proximity to the airfield. There is still much opportunity for
biodiversity enhancement, particularly mammalian habitat,
such as measures to support red squirrel populations.
Historic Environment
10.79 There is one listed building and registered Park and Garden
of Special Historic Interest located close to the Airport site:
Woolsington Hall (grade II*) and its former estate grounds.
The hall was recently substantially damaged by fire, but
has an extant planning permission to convert it into a hotel,
and develop the grounds as a golf course and housing.
10.80 Development of the employment site and the Great Park
Link Road in Particular will need to closely consider the
impact of this historic asset and its setting, and mitigate
any impact if required. It is not considered that other
listed historic assets in Dinnington and Ponteland will be
impacted by the delivery of the Masterplan.
10.81 Undeveloped parts of the Airport site have been subject to
archaeological survey. Full archaeological surveying will
be carried out on other areas of the site in consultation with
Tyne and Wear Archaeology, where this is considered to be
required, and appropriate action taken.
Agricultural Land
10.82 The majority of the land within the Masterplan area is
classified as Grade 3, according to the Government’s
Agricultural Land Classification maps. There is a small
area of land categorised as 3a (best and most versatile),
although the majority of the land is 3b (moderate quality).
10.83 Some areas of Grade 3a and 3b land will be lost as a result
of development. Best practice techniques will need to be
employed to ensure that the topsoil is removed in a suitable
manner to allow for its use elsewhere on site. Loss of
Landscape
10.84 The Airport site is located within national character
area 13: South East Northumberland Coastal Plain.
This is characterised by large open arable fields, gap
hedges with sparse woodland cover but some distinctive
parkland associated with country house estates, such as
Woolsington Hall. It also falls within 4 local designations
with the majority of the site falling into area C28 which is
characterised by its built-up nature, with notable reference
to the tarmacked elements of the airfield, managed
grasslands, and shelterbelts.
10.85 A number of local planning policies set out of how
landscape impact should be considered in relation to a
planning application. The Airport will closely consider
the requirements of these policies in the design of future
developments and seek to minimise adverse landscape
impact.
10.86 The Airport’s mature boundary planting helps to
screen much of the Airport site and integrate it with the
surrounding landscape. The Airport is committed to
actively managing these belts, with thinning and replanting
where needed. The northern perimeter tree belt plays
a particularly important role to screen the Airport from
Dinnington and Prestwick, and this will be extended in
advance of any development.
Table 8 – Expected Landscape and Visual Impacts
Development Potential effects Mitigation
Enhanced passenger
facilities (terminal and
apron area)
• Loss of vegetation
• Introduction of new hardstanding
• Visibility of aircrafts over an extended area/
changes to views
• Introduction of new built form
• Increased visibility/changes to views
Car park extension • Loss of woodland, trees, hedgerows and
areas of open grassland
• Introduction of new surface level car parking
• Localised change in landscape character
Possible runway
extension
Southside
employment sites
• Loss of woodland, trees and hedgerows
• Introduction of hardstanding
• Change in landscape character
• Changes to Public Rights of Way
• Loss of trees and hedgerows
• Introduction of new built form
• Impact on long range views
• Change to landscape character
• Consider tree planting to help screening views
from sensitive visual receptors such as from
Public Rights of Way and nearby residential
properties.
• Retain existing vegetation, especially mature
trees where possible.
• Extending woodland belt by planting native
species of local provenance. Where possible
to be implemented as advance works.
• Sensitive use of lighting while not
compromising safety.
• Retain existing vegetation, especially mature
trees where possible.
• Improvements to existing hedgerows and
additional tree planting to form screening belt.
Use native species of local provenance where
possible.
• Apply for redirection of Public Right
of Way.
• Sensitive use of lighting while not
compromising safety.
• Retention of existing vegetation and active
integration of it into development design
• Native planting to create landscape belts
potentially with earth mounds for additional
screening.
l Continued work with local wildlife action groups;
higher quality land will be minimised where possible.
l Creation of new wildlife corridors in relation to new
development, particularly the potential runway extension.
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