St Mary Redcliffe Project 450 RIBA 2 Stage End Report

1 Introduction
Policy and Legal Considerations
1.1 LUC was appointed by Purcell UK on behalf of St. Mary’s Church to provide ecological support and
input into development plans to redesign and re-landscape aspects of St. Mary’s Church,
Redcliffe. This report sets out an Ecological Assessment to establish whether work undertaken on
St. Mary’s Church (referred to from here on out as ‘the Site’), would have any effect on the
ecology of the Site and the surrounding area.
Site description
1.2 Site consists of amenity grassland lawns in front of the church, intersected with hardstanding
walkways. In the rear garden on each side of the perimeter are two rows of mature trees. The
east is joined by an adjacent area of shrub and immature trees.
1.8 This report has been prepared in accordance with the relevant legislation and planning policy.
Further details are given in Appendix 2, the following documents are of relevance:
• The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended);
• The Countryside and Rights of Way Act (CRoW Act), 2000 (as amended);
• The Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act (NERC Act), 2006;
• The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended);
• The Protection of Badgers Act 1992 (as amended);
• Bristol Central Area Plan (2015); and
• Bristol Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) (2018)
1.3 The Site sits near the centre of Bristol, on a popular east-west axis for public transport, cycling
and walking; connecting Temple Meads to the city centre and the Harbourside (central grid
reference ST 591723). Being a gothic parish church used from the 12 th century and listed by
Historic England as a Grade 1 listed building, it serves a popular destination for people transiting
through the city. Due to its centrally geographic, urban, location the Site is considered relatively
ecologically isolated and as an area of potential importance for wildlife living in the city of Bristol.
Project Description
1.4 A planning application will be submitted in the near future for proposed works, designed to
expand the area within the church grounds that can be utilised by visitors. This involves the
northern formal lawns being removed, replaced on the north-eastern boundary with large
oversized stone steps and new areas of planting. Between the steps and the original church
building a newly constructed structure will be built to house an exhibition space, gallery area, gift
shop, café and toilet facilities. This will extend one storey up from ground level, but will also
include a below ground level.
1.5 In the south-east corner, a single storey, raised, lightweight building will run in parallel with Pump
Lane. An area of scrub will have to be removed for construction to take place. The building will be
raised by being built on wooden support structures that will elevate it off the floor, the space will
be used as an educational facility and studio space. The design will be largely glazed to allow for
the garden setting to be viewed from within the building.
Purpose
1.6 This report is designed to provide an ecological assessment of the Site, assessing the impacts of
the proposals and outlining mitigation where needed.
1.7 This report will contain the ecological information needed to help the local planning authority
make a decision regarding the development plans to the Site.
Ecological Impact Assessment for St.Marys Church, Redcliffe 5 September 2019
Ecological Impact Assessment for St.Marys Church, Redcliffe 6 September 2019