The open spaces and landscape features act as 'green assets' not only for their amenity value, but because of their biodiversity value and the range of habitats that will be represented within the development; woodland, hedgerow and hedgerow margins, wet and dry grassland, wetland, swales and ponds.

Ecology

The undeveloped parts of the site are predominantly under agricultural use, subdivided into fields used both for pasture and for growing crops. Much of the site is presently classified as low grade agricultural land, within which are areas of scrub and woodland. There are also a number of habitats present within the site including hedgerows, some containing mature trees, areas of semi-natural and planted woodland, two watercourses, hedgerows and amenity grasslands and areas of rough grassland and wasteland.

The ecological survey of the site has revealed the following constraints and opportunities.

Grasslands

The majority of the grasslands within the site are of negligible to low nature conservation value and their development will not constitute a significant impact.

The damp grassland in the west of the site should be retained within the development as it forms part of Southmead Paddocks, a candidate SINC, and is considered to be one of the notable habitats within the site and at least of high local importance for nature conservation.

Woodlands

Areas of semi-natural, mature woodland should also be retained within the development where possible, and be buffered against development, for example planting a shrub buffer layer. These woodland areas could benefit from appropriate management, which could be considered as part of the mitigation package.

More recent woodland planting is of low nature conservation value and will not require additional buffers against development.

The area of semi-natural woodland along part of the western boundary is the best example of woodland habitat within the site and is considered to be of high local importance for nature conservation.

Hedgerows and Trees

Hedgerows should be retained where possible, particularly old and species diverse hedgerows. In addition, the potential exists for the planting of new hedgerows within the proposed development using native species to replace any hedgerows removed.

Mature trees should be retained where possible.