ISO 14001 Revision: 0 Date: September 2005 BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR HABITAT IMPACT AVOIDANCE 2005 1. Works near or adjacent to hedges Hedge Removal The removal of any hedgerow must be authorised by the Local Planning Authority (Hedgerow Regulations 1997). Action -Assessment by Landscape Team Required Breeding birds in hedge The management or removal of trees and shrubs to avoid bird breeding season (March to September). Site inspection by operations staff should precede any work during this period. If breeding birds are suspected or found a formal assessment by the ecologist must be requested before work commences. Action- If breeding birds are suspected an ecological survey is required – Consult Landscape Team. Buffer Zones If working outside but near the spread of a hedge, maintain a protection zone by erecting a chestnut paling or similar fence one metre from the spread of the hedge. The protection zone should be maintained for the duration of the works and there should be no access, storage of materials, ground disturbance, burning or contamination within the fenced area. Works within 1m buffer zone Where work is within 1m from the spread of the hedge refer to Part 7 and 11 of the British Standard Guide for trees in Relation to Construction BS 5837:1991. Work with hand tools can generally proceed within these guidelines without prior consultation provided no roots over 25mm are severed. Consultation is required before any mechanical excavation. Action – If machine excavation within 1m of the spread of a hedge – Assessment by Tree Team Required Soil Levels Do not raise soil levels beyond original within 1m protection zone each side of hedge. Action – If soil levels are to be raised in 1m protection Zone – Contact Landscape Team 2. Works around trees and shrubs Breeding Birds Time the management or removal of trees and shrubs to avoid bird breeding season (March to September). Site inspection by operations staff should precede any work during this period. If breeding birds are suspected or found a formal assessment by an ecologist must be requested before work commences. Action – If breeding birds are suspected an ecological survey is required - Consult Landscape Team Buffer Zone If working outside but near the canopy spread of a tree, maintain a protection zone around the tree by erecting a chestnut paling or similar fence outside the width of the branch spread. The protection zone should be maintained for the duration of the works and there should be no access, storage of materials, ground disturbance, burning or contamination within the fenced area. Works within 1m buffer zone If working within the spread of the tree canopy refer to Part 7 and 11 of the British Standard Guide for trees in Relation to Construction BS 5837:1991. Work with hand tools can generally proceed within these guidelines without prior consultation provided no roots over 25mm are severed. Consultation is required before any mechanical excavation. Action - Machine excavation within the canopy spread of Trees or Shrubs – Assessment by Tree Team Required Protected Species Refer to Species Guidelines on breeding birds, red squirrel and badger. Works involving very old trees especially with dead wood, cracks and splits should consider owls and bats Action - If protected species are suspected an ecological survey is required. - Consult the Landscape Team 3. Works on or near watercourses (rivers, streams, ditches, ponds, lakes) Chemicals Do not use any chemical sprays on bankside vegetation without prior approval of Environment Agency Action – Using chemical sprays near water – Contact the Environment Agency Do not store or tip any materials on river/stream banks or within 5m of bank top Unless in a designated parking area do not park or maintain vehicles within 5m of a watercourse. Where any scheme will result in runoff carrying sediment, waste material, wash down etc into a watercourse consult the Environment Agency first. Silt traps and other protection measures may be required. Action - Constructions near Water – Contact the Environment Agency Protected Species Refer to Species Guidelines on great crested newt, water vole, otter, badger, breeding birds and bats. Action - Protected Species – Ecological survey required. - Consult Landscape Team Bankside Works If removing bankside vegetation, refer to item 2 “Works around trees and shrubs” and Item 4 “Works which affect grasslands”. Also refer to species guidelines for otter and water vole. Invasive plants Refer to Invasive Plants guidelines for details of Japanese knotweed and Himalayan balsam. Action – Refer to Environment Agency Code of Practice on the notification, handling and disposal of invasive plants. 4. Works which affect Grasslands Frequently mown, short, bright green grassland found on road verges and public open space is generally of low ecological value. The storage of equipment and vehicles, contamination, burning and ground disturbance will adversely affect grass growth and should be prevented. Any unavoidable damage should be ameliorated after the works are finished. Works in wildflower grasslands Both rough grass and wildflower areas have ecological value. The storage or parking/driving vehicles, contamination, burning and ground disturbance will adversely affect grass growth and should be prevented. Damage to grass caused by construction in these areas must be restored. Contact the ecology officer for advice. Action - Construction in wildflower or rough grassland. – Ecological survey required. Consult the Landscape Team Species rich grasslands Valuable grasslands may be difficult to distinguish, especially during the winter months. If in any doubt, ask the NCC Ecology Officer to assess the site. Action – If in doubt consult Ecology Officer Breeding Birds/ protected species Refer to the guidelines for breeding birds (ground-nesting species) and Great Crested Newts (hibernation sites). Action – If breeding birds or protected species are suspected contact Landscape Team 5. Assessments and Further Information For advice on assessments contact City Design Landscape Team - Andrew Roe For general information contact: Wildlife and Nature Conservation Trees and Hedges - Ecology Officer x27195 Tree Officer x28950 x25752
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