Developers promise to install bird-friendly measures if 80-home Humberston scheme gets planning go-ahead

                         

Pledge on new wetland habitat if homes project is approved 

AGENTS for a firm wanting to build 80 homes on farmland land in Humberston have pledged to create extensive bird- and bat-friendly habitat if North East Lincolnshire planners approve the development. 

The location is a site to the south of Millennium Farm, off Humberston Avenue, where Persimmon, along with its subsidiary, Charles Church, have been building out a huge new estate.

The latest application has been submitted by Tetney-based S & M Hewson, a partner of Persimmon in the earlier project.

A report from Hewsons' consultants, Addison Planning, states: "The design of the scheme shall seek significantly to enhance the ecological base line of the site through the following measures:

• Bat bricks and bat boxes - bat bricks in at least 15 per cent of houses and enhanced bat foraging habitat through the proposed landscaping scheme

• Installation of swift boxes and sparrow terraces on 15 per cent of houses combined.

• Installation of a variety of other nest-boxes/nesting features, for species including, barn owl, barn swallow, house martin, house sparrow and tree sparrow in conjunction with the woodland elements of the planting scheme

• Creation of wetland habitats, including ponds, as part of the sustainable urban drainage solution for the site

• Detailed landscaping solutions to comprise retention and enhancement of mixed native hedgerows and locally native trees, shrub, hedge plants and wildflowers of high biodiversity value.

• Sensitively-designed lighting schemes to minimise ecological impact.

Unfortunately, no mitigation is proposed by Addison for skylarks and yellowhammers, which, as open countryside species, will inevitably be lost to any development.

The report concludes: "The driving principle of the development is to create a sustainable development and extension to the existing development (by Persimmon Homes) at Millennium Farm.

"The intention is to incorporate self-build plots, affordable homes, properies for over 55’s and significant enhancements in biodiversity while providing open amenity space and reinforcing local distinctiveness through the design approach."