One of our resident's received this reply to a question regarding DK18.
Thank you for your email.
I have had a quick look at the location of the development site on our internal mapping systems and it would appear that the fields proposed for development do not benefit from a protected habitat designation. The extensive wooded areas outside the proposed development boundary to the west and south of the site is a Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI) and therefore is of County importance for it’s wildlife value. Any proposed development would have to have regards to the SNCI designation and make provision to ensure no detriment to the designated features of this SNCI.
From the photographs and taking into account the location of the proposed development site in the wider landscape, it would appear that the site includes potentially suitable habitat for a range of legally protected species including reptile, bats and breeding birds. The hedgerows in particular are likely to present important wildlife movement corridors and should be retained. Any application should be supported by an appropriate suite of ecology surveys evaluating the site for habitat type, value and presence of protected species.
National planning policy (The National Planning Policy Framework) requires that development achieves no net loss in biodiversity value of the development site, and should also seek a net gain. The applicant should therefore ensure that any development is designed to ensure tha existing biodiversity value is retained and enhanced.
You may wish to contact Alistair Kirk who manages the Surrey Biodiversity Records Centre for further detail on protected species which may be present locally to the development site.
Alistair.Kirk@surreywt.org.uk.
Regards,
Heather.
Heather Lewis BSc (Hons) Msc.
Senior Conservation Officer, Planning
Surrey Wildlife Trust