For a private client

PROFECT BRIEF

Maydencroft Limited was commissioned to carry out a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Baseline Assessment & Strategy in support of a proposed development to construct a new covered reservoir on a site near Luton in Central Bedfordshire. This work was in addition to the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal and associated protected species surveys, BS5837 Arboricultural Survey, and Landscape & Visual Appraisal (LVA) which were also produced by Maydencroft as part of the planning submission. The BNG assessment aimed to demonstrate whether a 10% net gain in biodiversity could be achieved on site, or whether there would be a need for off-site provision.

ASSESS

A BNG Baseline Survey undertaken by our Ecologists found that the proposed reservoir site would result in the loss of a section of arable field, with some additional impact to neighbouring woodlands and hedgerows due to allowance for construction access. Metric results showed that it would not be possible to achieve 10% within the project red line boundary, so an additional off-set area of arable land was acquired and included as part of the baseline.

DESIGN

Once a decision had been reached on a suitable off-site provision, a Landscape Mitigation Plan was produced setting out all proposals for capital works and post-development management of habitats. This was supported by a 30-Yr Habitat Management & Monitoring Plan (HMMP), both of which were submitted to the local planning authority in order to discharge relevant planning conditions and enable the project to proceed.

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