Ecological and green infrastructure assessment for Emerging Local Plan (2012), West Sussex

The task

The Ecology Consultancy was commissioned to carry out Preliminary Ecological Appraisals of six potential development allocation sites in Adur District as part of the evidence base for a new Local Plan, and to carry out a Green Infrastructure (GI) appraisal.

The solution
The project is an example of how design teams can work together to deliver effective master-planning: working with landscape architects Sheils Flynn, we carried out a GI appraisal and contributed to drafting development principles for each of the sites.

The following features were considered during the GI appraisal:

• Core Areas that are defined as zones within the site with either high quality habitat, a diversity of habitats, potential to support a diversity of species groups and/or protected species;
• Water bodies and the local hydrological catchment;
• Existing green and blue corridors including hedgerows, lines of scattered trees/scrub, woodland belts, road verges, running water and associated riparian habitat etc., and;
• Public Rights of Way, including footpaths, cycle routes and bridleways.

The outcome
This information has been used by Sheils Flynn to produce Opportunities and Constraints Maps showing priorities for the conservation and enhancement of on-site ecological features and wider ecological networks, and to assist in forming indicative GI and development principles for the site.