Landscape Update

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) included a comprehensive Landscape and Visual Assessment undertaken by LDA Design.

The Assessment examines the effect of the Horkesley Park proposals on the landscape and demonstrates that the site is well contained by a network of woodland areas, tree belts and hedgerows which, together with surrounding private dwellings (in the ownership of Bunting & Sons) and landform, limit the views of the site from its immediate locality as well as the wider area. It concludes that the creation of sensitively designed buildings within the existing Nursery site, following the removal of the existing redundant glasshouses, industrial type buildings and other structures, would not be an intrusive element in the landscape and that the Scheme provides opportunities to enhance existing landscape and biodiversity interests within the site, including the establishment of significant areas of new woodland planting and trees and their associated long term management.

The EIA has been scrutinised by Natural England who are the leading Government Agency with responsibilities for the conservation of the nation’s landscape and natural resources, including protected species. The position has now been reached where, subject to a Mitigation and Management Plan being agreed, we believe that Natural England will ultimately have no objection to the scheme. 

Colchester Borough Council's (CBC) Landscape Officer in his initial response to the proposal dated 14 April 2009, click here to download, endorsed the majority of findings in the Landscape and Visual Assessment but requested additional information regarding the consideration of light pollution beyond the site into the AONB, the proposal to enclose (flank) a number of Public Rights of Way with hedging/stock proof fencing and to demonstrate greater consideration of relevant County and Borough level Landscape Character Assessments.

This additional information was submitted by the Horkesley Park Landscape Consultants, LDA Design, dated 13 May 2009, click here to download, and a further response was issued by CBC’s Landscape Officer dated 3 June 2009, click here to download, which confirmed that the majority of his initial concerns had now been satisfied although further information was still required in relation to hedge planting within the Country Park. In response to this request, additional information regarding the precise means of enclosure was submitted by LDA Design, and as no further comments have since been made it is understood that the proposal is considered acceptable in terms of landscape impact. 

CBC’s Arboriculture Officer in his initial response dated 16 June 2009, click here to download, confirms that, in general terms, the Tree Survey and Arboricultural Implication Assessment is accurate and concise, and that he agrees with the conclusions drawn.

Further information was requested regarding the use of existing Hybrid Poplars to screen the site and information regarding the protection of established vegetation on the eastern side of the site. In response to this LDA Design, supplied an additional report on 30 July 2009, click here to download.  The Arboriculture Officer issued a second response on 25 August 2009 which sought clarification on the level of screening to be secured through additional planting given that Hybrid Poplars have only a limited life span. In response, LDA Design provided a further supplementary report on 17 September 2009, click here to download.  Following the submission of this information, no further responses have been received in this regard and it is understood that the proposal is considered acceptable.

Natural England, as the principal public-funded body empowered with a statutory duty to ensure the conservation and protection of nationally designated sites, is the single most important consultee in the consideration of visual and amenity implications for the AONB. The views of Natural England encompass the Dedham Vale AONB & Stour Valley Management Strategy.  In its initial response to the Application dated 22 April 2009, click here to download, Natural England expresses its view that the Transport Assessment lacks analysis of anticipated follow-on trips from Horkesley Park into other areas of the AONB. It  also expresses concern that the Travel Plan lacks a firm commitment to control the number of car-based visitors. Whilst it is acknowledged that the proposal will have a moderate adverse impact on the landscape during the construction phase and for a short period afterwards, Natural England are nevertheless content that the buildings will be suitably screened in the long term by existing and proposed landscaping.

Following CBC sending Natural England in December 2010 further information Natural England issued a second response to the Application dated 17 January 2011, click here to download. An extract from this second response is provided below:

We are currently working with Natural England to produce a comprehensive ‘Mitigation and Management Plan’. Once this has been formally agreed, it is anticipated that Natural England will withdraw its objection to the Scheme.

The implementation of Horkesley Park will be achieved without material harm to the area’s nature conservation resources whilst biodiversity enhancement, habitat creation and conservation work will have a very positive impact.

Flood Risk and Water Usage

An assessment of Hydrology, Drainage and Flood Risk considerations is provided as part of the Environmental Statement submitted with the Application and is supported by a Flood Risk Assessment. The Environmental Statement concludes that, with appropriate mitigation in place, the Horkesley Park proposal will have no adverse effect on hydrological and hydrogeological conditions.

The assessment was scrutinised by the Environment Agency in its formal response dated 8 April 2009, click here to download, in which it objected to the Scheme on grounds that the Flood Risk Assessment did not demonstrate the sufficient disposal of surface water from the site. Following the submission of additional information in September 2010, the Environment Agency has now removed its objection to Horkesley Park, click here to download, subject to the imposition of standard Conditions relating to land contamination, pollution prevention, and water use.

Ecology, Protected Species and Other Wildlife

An assessment of ecological considerations was provided in the Environmental Statement submitted with the Application and is supported by an Ecological Baseline Assessment, a Phase 1 Habitat Survey and a Badger Survey Report.

The Environmental Statement considers the impact of the development proposal on hedgerow habitats, breeding birds, and a number of protected species including great crested newts, badgers, water voles, bats and other amphibians and mammals. The statement concludes that, with appropriate mitigation in place, the Horkesley Park proposal will have little impact on the existing ecology of the site whereas proposed habitat enhancements including tree and hedge planting Schemes, the restoration of existing ponds and the establishment of new species-rich grassland and heritage crops will be of significant benefit to the ecology and biodiversity of the local area.

The ecological assessment was scrutinised by Natural England in its responses to the Application dated 22 April 2009 and 17 January 2011. Natural England has expressed its overall satisfaction with the quality and content of that submitted and has offered its support to the proposals for habitat creation. However, as outlined above, Natural England is keen to ensure that all of the proposed mitigation and management measures are suitably secured and a comprehensive ‘Mitigation and Management Plan’ is currently being worked on.

Natural England in its response of 17 January 2011, advise that due to the length of time it has taken for the Application to be processed (since its submission on 18 February 2009) it considers some of the protected species surveys within the Environmental Statements to be out of date and recommend that re-surveys are undertaken/provided. Natural England has discussed with the CBC Principal Planning Officer, the timing of updating "the protected species surveys within the Environmental Impact Assessment", and Natural England has confirmed that these surveys may be carried out after determination of the Horkesley Park Planning Application provided that they are completed prior to any construction being undertaken, and that can be covered by a Condition of the Application being approved.

The principal aims of Horkesley Park’s ecology strategy are to provide a beneficial contribution for ecological enhancement through on-site mitigation. The overall effect will be one of creating new habitats and enhancing existing ones to support a greater level of biodiversity and increase the complexity and connectivity of habitat linkages.  Many of the conservation initiatives will be included in the s106 Agreement and therefore be a condition/obligation of planning being granted.