Gwent Wildlife Trust
 Responding to Planning Applications 

Barnwood Fields - Biodiversity Impact Assessment Form

See Part 2 for information on how to complete this Biodiversity Impact Assessment form.

Stage

Assessment and information.

Category:-  C

The site contains priority habitats and species, ancient semi-natural woodland and wildlife corridors.  

Features:
Species rich grassland.
Ancient semi-natural woodland.
Stream.
Hedgerows.
Individual mature trees.

Possible Species:
Bats, Barn Owl, Badger, Otter, Water Voles, Great Crested Newts, White clawed crayfish, Skylarks.

Type of Impact:
Direct loss of habitat or other features.
Direct loss in abundance or diversity of species.
Conflict with Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) targets.  (See local BAP).
Conflict with published conservation objectives. (See local Statutory Development Plan).

Is Further Information Needed?
Yes.  Contact GWT, Countryside Council for Wales, Bat groups, Badger groups.

What will the magnitude of the loss be?
From Part 2 Table 5 - Intermediate Negative.  Habitats and species will survive, subject to effective mitigation measures, but the conservation value of the site will be reduced.

What is the overall impact significance?
From Part 2 Table 6 and 6a - Moderate Adverse.

Could the impacts be mitigated?
Yes.   See Part 2 Table 7. There may be another possible less damaging site in the Development Allocation. 

Possible mitigation: 
A bat survey will see if the barn is used as a roost,  nursery or for hibernation.  This will affect mitigation e.g. when development is allowed.  

Buffer zones can be set along the stream e.g. 5 metres.  A new pond can be dug to see if the Great Crested Newts will relocate.

Would the impact be acceptable if mitigation was possible?
Yes, though an Environmental Impact Assessment may be required.  

The next stage is to contact the planning officer responsible for processing the application.
  See Part 1 for detailed information on how to do this.