Earlier this month, we posted AI launches another retrospective planning application.
It concerned Aggregate Industries' application DCC/4132/2019, "to continue importation of inert soils and subsoil to allow for revised restoration contours at Marshbroadmoor including a revised restoration scheme at Rockbeare Quarry."
According to AI, "Biodiversity matters to us 🌍":
Biodiversity matters to us 🌍 We are well placed to make a positive contribution to UK #biodiversity through ongoing site management and wildlife focused #restoration schemes. Download our biodiversity plan to discover more about our strategy https://t.co/ozjziD3inN pic.twitter.com/q17Smh4M8X— Aggregate Industries (@AggregateUK) May 9, 2019
And indeed, through a wildlife focused #restoration scheme, AI might have been "well placed to make a positive contribution to UK #biodiversity" at Marshbroadmoor. Instead, AI planned to remove habitat for nesting sand martins currently resident at the site:
It is not considered safe or feasible to maintain or create a face suitable for nesting Sand Martins as part of the final restoration scheme.
We also note that Sand martins are recorded breeding on site but that post restoration the nest site will be lost. No compensation has been proposed for this loss and we would advise that consideration is given to revising the final site layout to accommodate the nest site or that consideration is given to providing alternative sites.
It won't have gone unnoticed – by AI or other developers – that changes to the NPPF announced last week will in future "require development to deliver 10% net gains for biodiversity".
