Agenda item

151 Hectares Of Land Within The Parishes Of East Budleigh,

Budleigh Salterton And Otterton From Lime Kiln Car Park (SY072810)

To South Of Frogmore House (SY074850) (The Lower Otter Valley).

Applicant:

Megan Rimmer (Environment Agency)

Location:

151 Hectares of land within the parishes of East Budleigh, Budleigh Salterton and Otterton from Lime Kiln Car Park (SY072819) to South of Frogmore House (SY074850) (The Lower Otter Valley).

Proposal:

Proposed breach of the River Otter embankment, Little Bank and Big Bank to restore the historic floodplain creating an intertidal saltmarsh, mudflats and freshwater habitat at Big Marsh and a new freshwater habitat at Little Marsh.  Associated works including development of a new footbridge, realignment of South Farm Road and creation of a new car park.  (The Lower Otter Restoration Project).  Accompanied by an Environmental Statement.

RESOLVED:

Approved as per Officer recommendation but with the following additional conditions:

1.    Prior to the commencement of development, and following consultation with the affected residents of Frogmore Road as identified by the Local Planning Authority, details of any additional mitigation works and future monitoring to protect residents of Frogmore Road from flooding as a result of the proposal hereby approved shall have been submitted to the Local Planning Authority for approval. Thereafter the development shall be carried out in full accordance with the approved details.

Reason: In order to protect the amenity of residents from flood risk in accordance with Policies D1 (Design and Local Distinctiveness) and EN21 (River and Coastal Flooding) of the East Devon Local Plan 2013-2031.

2.    Prior to commencement of development, a Landscape and Ecological Management Plan (LEMP) shall be submitted to the local planning authority for its approval. This shall establish site objectives and management prescriptions to deliver mitigation and enhancement measures and include provision for:

a)    Mitigation and management of retained habitats during the pre-construction, construction and post construction phases of the development.

b)    Creation and management of new habitats during the construction and post construction phases of the development.

c)    Mitigation for legally protected and notable species during the pre-construction, construction and post construction phases of the development.

Once approved the pre-construction, construction and operation of the development shall proceed in accordance with the approved details of the LEMP, unless otherwise approved in writing by the local planning authority and retained thereafter in accordance with the approved details

Reason: In order to protect and enhance habitat in accordance with Policy EN5 (Wildlife Habitats and Features) of the East Devon Local Plan 2013-2031.

3.    A comprehensive habitat monitoring plan shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority prior to commencement of development. It shall show the following measures to be agreed:

The methodology and monitoring of new inter-tidal areas for establishment of saltmarsh and mudflat habitat.

The monitoring of impacts on the Otter Estuary SSSI and predicted changes to the MCZ as a result of natural erosion processes in the existing estuary and mouth.

Reason: In order to conserve the biodiversity and geodiversity of these protected habitats and landscapes in accordance with Strategy 47 (Nature Conservation and Geology) of the East Devon Local Plan 2013-2031.

4.   Prior to commencement of development, further details showing how footpaths will be screened from the proposed habitat areas shall be submitted to and agreed in writing by the local planning authority. The screening shall be in place prior to operation of the development.

Reason: In order to protect habitat from the impact of visitors in accordance with Policy EN5 (Wildlife Habitats and Features) of the East Devon Local Plan 2013-2031.