ECOLOGY

• The land is currently species-poor grassland in agricultural use, which has significant potential for enhancement to increase biodiversity in areas of open space.

• Ecological surveys have been undertaken to understand, preserve and enhance the existing ecology in this location. The Local Planning Authority will need to be satisfied that there are no unacceptable impacts on existing ecology before granting planning permission.

• All existing trees and hedgerows will be retained and incorporated within the proposed design with new landscaping, providing an attractive, natural edge between the development and the countryside.

HERITAGE

• There are no designated heritage assets located within the site such as Scheduled Monuments, Listed Buildings, Registered Parks and Gardens or Conservation Areas.

• The only designated heritage assets nearby consist of the Worcester to Birmingham Canal Conservation Area, Grade II Listed Tibberton Bridge and Grade II Listed Old Cottage. These assets are not expected to be affected by the development given the lack of intervisibility between them and the site, which is not considered to make any contribution to their heritage significance.

• There are no known archaeological remains documented within the site, and an analysis of the archaeological resource for the area suggests a low potential for their presence. Further survey work is ongoing, but it is unlikely that any remains present would be of such significance that they would preclude development.

LANDSCAPE

• Lying on the eastern edge of the village, the land is well contained due to the existing built develop ment, the existing hedgerows and trees and its sloping topography, which rises from Plough Road to the west to Evelench Lane in the south-east.

• Woodland and hedgerows in the wider landscape help to restrict views to and from the proposed development and the wider area.

• A landscape-led masterplan has been created to ensure the new homes sit sensitively in the wider landscape, while existing and future residents will be able to enjoy the benefits of a landscape-led approach which integrates the homes with new formal green space, water features, and play areas.