Bellway back out of 10% Biodiversity Net Gain requirement - Billet Road Site B

Bellway are trying to back out of the 10% BNG requirement set by Redbridge Council

When Redbridge approved Bellway's enabling works application to cap the contaminated landfill they stated:

"In order to mitigate this loss (permanent major effect on habitat) and achieve a net biodiversity gain a pre commencement condition will be secured requiring submission of a strategy demonstrating biodiversity enhancement for the site in order to mitigate the loss from the enabling works.

The strategy shall include details of how, where and when a 10% biodiversity net gain calculated in line with Table 2 of CIEEM Biodiversity Net Gain reprt and audit templates (July 2021) and based on the baseline Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment (Urban Edge Environmental Consulting, Sept 2022) can be achieved. 
Reasons: In accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework (2021), Policy LP39 of the Local Plan and Policy G6 of the London Plan (requires a net biodiversity gain in schemes). Also relevant LP19 Climate change mitigation, LP37 Green Infrastructure & Blue Ribbon network, LP38 Protecting Trees and Enhancing the Landscape."

One year on, Bellway now disagree with the 10% BNG saying it was not mandatory at the time and they won't know a strategy demonstrating how, where and when a biodiversity net gain will be delivered before the enabling works start. 

Is it true that they don't know? on their website they say 'how' and 'where'.

Bellway are working with landscape consultants to design a dense planted buffer which will not only promote the privacy of existing residents along the length of the eastern boundary of the site, but also provide useful green amenity space and improve local biodiversity  

What does Bellway think about Biodiversity?

Bellway Group Head of Biodiversity, said: “This is such an important topic as we look to understand, and enhance biodiversity within our developments. By providing enhancements to habitats, we are working to find the best possible solutions for our customers and the communities we create and increase the prevalence of nature within every new development."

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On 12-12-2023 Bellway published "Bellway is committed to achieving at least a 10% Biodiversity Net Gain on all new sites submitted for planning from July 2023" 

Over 6 months before 10% BNG became mandatory!

Should it matter when 10% BNG became mandatory?

• Redbridge require a 10% BNG for the capping application, due to the complete loss of biodiversity as a result of the application. Relevant LP Policies, LP19, LP37, LP38, LP39
• Redbridge can add conditions at their discretion, they provided their reasons. The condition is precise and reasonable.
• Bellway did not object to this condition at the time or during the last year.
• If Redbridge have to re-consider the application then 10% BNG is now mandatory. 
• If Redbridge remove the condition they will set a precidence and have to do the same for other approved developments. We have found at least 4 approved around the same time with 10% BNG conditions. Along with many others nationally. 
• Redbridge declared a climate emergency on 20th June 2019. 
• Natural England would need to be consulted over any changes.
• EIA scoping recommends additional compensatory habitat enhancement and or creation needs to be embedded and secured by condition.

Is Bellway's sudden concern over 10% BNG due to their Site B development proposals NOT SATISFYING the now mandatory BNG trading rules ?

TO COMMENT ON THE APPLICATION TO REMOVE THE CONDITION OF 10% BNG

go to Redbridge Planning Portal  
https://planning.redbridge.gov.uk/redbridge/application-details/199878

If the link doesn't work for you click here and search for Application No 3376/22/01

Non-material amendment to approved permission 3376/22: amend the wording of Condition 16 (Biodiversity Net Gain). Refer to cover letter online for full details. (Summary).

To be killed by development - historic boundary hedgerows.

 Why kill the hedgerows?

If you are a developer with planners and architects and landscape designers on your payroll why can't you design your new site to incorporate the mature hedgerows especially as the plans show they will kill them and then replace them .. is there any sense in that?

Redbridge and Climate change .. its ok they are putting in electric car charging facilities.

The hedgerows of Billet Road support pollution control, wildlife and are beautiful. 

 

Save Billet Road's H4 Hedgerow

 Save H4 Hedgerow - Billet Road

You would think that with an application to cap contaminated land, also know as 'enabling works', by Bellway Homes which results in a Permanent MAJOR NEGATIVE effect on extent of habitat that every opportunity would be taken to retain some.

Especially the hedgerow outside of the capping / landfill area, namely Hedgerow Number 4 (H4).

Under Hedgerow Priority Habitats hedges H1, H2,H3,H4 are of intrinsic ecology value and provide habitats suitable for a range of protected species, including amphibians, nesting birds, invertebrates, bats, hazel dormouse and reptiles.

H1, H3 and H4 are to be removed, resulting in a LOSS of approx 500m (77%) of Hedgerow Priority Habitat. Only 150m of H2 hedgerow is to remain. 

Although not mentioned in the supporting documents the boundary hedging along the eastern side of the site would need to remain in situ as it marks the boundary between the site and the neighbouring properies as well as the borough boundary.

H4 is outside the landfill capping area (yellow and red above)

Please sign the Petition to Save the Hedgerow (H4) here

How old are the hedgerows?

The Hooper Formula says: The number of tree and shrub species in a 30 metre length of hedge can indicate its age, with one species for each 100 years.

The Billet Road 'Hedgerow Assessment' by Urban Edge states, H1 and H2 have an average of 3 species within 30m and H3 and H4 have 4 species within 30m. 

Suggesting that H1 & H2 are 300 years old and H3 & H4 are 400 years old!

That takes us back to 1623,  a little difficult to find maps showing hedgerows back then.

However, we know that the original medieval Hainault House (Henhault House) is shown on the 1777 map by Chapman & Andre. 

The boundries and various hedgerows are clear on this 1862 - 1871 map (source National Library of Scotland, Essex Sheet LXVI survey 1862 - 1871). 

Back then Red House farm was called Heath Farm and St Chad's Well is further into the road plus the A12 didn't exist.

This is a close up of some of the H2 hedgerow on Billet Road. 

Padnall Lake and Green Space Biodiversity debate from 73.84% to 530% - is it true?

This is what BeFirst Planning Officer told the Planning Committee:

"The proposed development seeks to be built on open space nevertheless there will be a 513% increase in biodiverse planting which contributes to the urban greening factor of 0.6 which comfortably exceeds the guidance set out by the London Plan" (1.138)

This is what they told The Mayor of London /GLA:

"The proposal would provide significant landscaping and biodiversity benefits. There would be a 530% increase in biodiverse planting on the site" (item 27) 

But what did the actual Biodiversity Report say?

"The Biodiversity Net Gain assessment shows that with the current proposed landscape design, it is possible for the proposed development to achieve a 73.84 % net gain for area-based habitats, a 24.05% increase for linear habitats and a 0.33 hectare increase for trees." 

So the Aug 2020 Biodiversity Report said 73.84% increase, the report to The Mayor of London Oct 2020 says 530% increase, the report to the Planning Committee Nov 2020 says 513%.

When does the amount go down to the original 73.84% ? 

Next we will look at how they say they will make the increase, not sure whether that's the 73.84% or the 513% increase or even the 530% increase or none!

LOCAL AUTHORITIES ARE URGED TO PROTECT GREEN SPACES TO MITIGATE CLIMATE CHANGE

NEWS RELEASE
1st July 2019: Release time immediate

LOCAL AUTHORITIES ARE URGED TO PROTECT GREEN SPACES TO MITIGATE CLIMATE CHANGE

Local authorities in London and the Home Counties which have declared a 'Climate Emergency' in their districts, and which propose to adopt strategies and action plans to tackle climate change, are being urged to include policies of stronger protection for green spaces in their plans, as these provide vital climate change mitigation.

The London Green Belt Council (LGBC), which represents over 100 environmental and community groups across the region, warns that some local councils are being inconsistent by declaring a Climate Emergency but failing to prevent development on Green Belt countryside and open spaces which provide vital mitigation for climate change. Some of these local authorities are even putting forward large swathes of Green Belt land for housebuilding despite their professed commitment to environmental protection.

LGBC Chair Richard Knox-Johnston says: "The Green Belt is a vital green lung for people in London and the wider South East. By protecting green spaces it is making a hugely important contribution to people's health and well-being as well as maintaining essential eco-systems and providing wildlife corridors.

"Green spaces help to mitigate climate change because carbon is absorbed by vegetation and held long-term in soils emissions. They also help us adapt to climate change by absorbing rainwater and cooling our towns and cities. The more green space we lose, the more we are at risk from flooding and rising temperatures, two of the predicted effects of climate change.

"District and borough councils are absolutely right to recognise the seriousness of climate change and to acknowledge the role that local government can play in tackling the climate crisis, but if they do not also pledge to defend the Green Belt and countryside from development then they are failing in their duty to protect our communities and environment."

The LGBC is calling on all local authorities to state categorically that climate change mitigation requires the protection of Green Belt countryside and open spaces, and to agree to block developers' proposals for building on Green Belt land. This is especially important, the LGBC points out, at a time when London itself needs to become more resilient to climate emergencies which means it needs to have plenty of green spaces around it.

Mr Knox-Johnston adds: "Giving up Green Belt to development is an easy answer to the housing shortage but actually it does nothing to improve the affordability of housing - all it does is leave communities with less greenspace. In fact, there has never been a greater need to protect the Green Belt from development."

The LGBC is currently working with a wide range of partner organisations to produce a consultation paper setting out "A Vision for the Future of London's Green Belt". This emphasises the Green Belt's value for health and well-being, biodiversity and environmental sustainability, and its crucial importance to the fight against climate change.

For further information on the work of the LGBC, go to

LONDONGREENBELTCOUNCIL.ORG.UK

London Green Belt Council – protecting London's Green Belt

About us The London Green Belt Council brings together over 100 organisations including councils, residents & environmental groups with a shared concern for London's Green Belt. The Council meets three times a year in Parliament. There is an executive committee which meets more frequently. We also p...