Ecology
The baseline habitats on the former depot site are predominantly mixed woodland, with some mixed scrub, and an area of developed land. These have been assessed to be in poor condition.
The redevelopment proposals will include habitats such as a newly developed surface with small urban trees, bordered by grassland that steadily transitions to improved mixed scrub and broadleaved woodland, with another patch of scrub on the southern site boundary.
There is an area of the invasive Japanese Knotweed on site, located near a few active badger sett entrances. These have been accounted for in the development plans and will be managed and protected accordingly.
In addition to the improved woodland and protected badger setts, a dark corridor will be maintained over the northern stretch of woodland to ensure bat flight paths can continue away from artificial light.
The proposed habitat management and enhancements would deliver at least 10% net gain in biodiversity.
Trees
A full site-wide tree survey has been carried out to identify the quality and value of the existing tree stock and the constraints trees on the site pose to development.
With input from Bath & North East Somerset arboricultural officers, the proposals have been designed to avoid impacting the high value boundary trees that provide a valuable screen of the site, which will be protected from construction activity for the duration of the development.
There are a significant number of ash trees throughout the site that are unfortunately impacted by Ash Dieback Disease. Several have failed in recent high winds and works had to be undertaken to remove some more dangerous trees. The layout has been designed so that any tree removals necessary to facilitate the proposals are largely confined to the diseased ash trees.
To mitigate tree losses, a comprehensive landscape strategy has been produced that will ensure the planting of a substantial number of new trees on the site along with management of the diseased ash stock and long term management of the woodland area to the north of the site.
Current trees on site - click to enlarge
Trees to be retained and protected alongside additional landscape planting - click to enlarge