Consultation 2 DEFA Biodiversity

From: Costain, Sophie (DEFA) To: DEFA, Planning Subject: PA 23/00793/B – Erection of a detached dwelling, with garage & vehicular access, Land adjacent to

Elmwood, Somerset Road Date: 01 August 2023 16:05:05 Attachments: image001.png

Good afternoon

RE: PA 23/00793/B – Erection of a detached dwelling with garage & vehicular access, Land adjacent to Elmwood, Somerset Road

Though the plans for the site include the retention of boundary hedges and trees, much of the southern hedge will need to be removed and thinned, and the creation of the new dwelling will result in the destruction of an urban green space and the replacement with a lot of hard surfaces. Urban green space provides important feeding, breeding and sheltering habitat for a variety of urban wildlife such as bats, birds, invertebrates and hedgehogs, additionally they provide green corridors to enable the movement of wildlife, such as bats and birds, throughout the landscape. Gardens also play a small yet important role in regulatory processes such as flood and climate mitigation.

Therefore we believe that wildlife mitigation is required, in order for this application to result in no net loss for biodiversity in accordance with Planning policy. In order to achieve this we think the proposed fence in the front garden should be replaced/supplemented with the planting of a native hedge, and bat and bird bricks built into the new property.

We therefore request that a condition is secured for no works to commence unless a bird and bat brick plan has been submitted to Planning for written approval which contains details about the specifications and locations of nest bricks suitable for swifts high up on a northern elevation of the new dwelling and a bat brick suitable for crevice roosting species high up on a southern elevation. The bat and bird bricks shall then be installed as shown and retained thereafter.

We also request a condition for no works to commence unless a plan has been provided to Planning for written approval, showing the location and species to be used in a new native hedge.

Best wishes

Sophie

Miss S Costain, Ecosystem Policy Officer Department of Environment, Food & Agriculture, Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St Johns, Isle of Man, IM4 3AS Tel +44 (0)1624 685963 Mob +44 (0)7624 431301 Fax +44 (0)1624 685851 Email [email protected] or [email protected] Website: www.gov.im/defa DEFA - working for a clean, safe, healthy, attractive and vibrant environment which will be enjoyed by present and future generations alike.

Our Island, Our Environment, Our Future.

Working Together for a Sustainable Future Gobbragh Cooidjagh Son Traa Ry-Heet Shassooagh