Page 5 of the design brief.

Recommendations · It will be a priority in the year 2000 to assess the status of great crested newts at the site. · Should it transpire that the newt was a wanderer from a nearby breeding site, to try and locate the site and see what conservation measures can be undertaken to protect and enhance it. · If it is that reasonable numbers are present then the proposed new pond east of the new road could be built with them in mind. · The Estates Office should obtain a copy of the English Nature booklet 'Great crested newts - guidelines for developers' which is available free from English Nature, tel.:01733 455100.

4.0 Area designated for public open space

· There should be public consultation on the development plans for the public open space. It is particularly important to have input from those residents (adults and children) who immediately overlook the site and are likely to use it most.

· New hedgerow plants will have to be weeded in the first couple of years to aid the establishment of the new plants. To counteract this loss of habitat, create a fringe of unmown grass next to the hedge to benefit small mammals and birds.

· Create defined areas to be managed specifically for wildflowers. The layer of topsoil that is to be levelled over the site restricts the range of species that can be grown. Ensure that more hardy species such as knapweed are planted. Avoid planting grass species such as red fescue that will out compete the wildflowers.

· If permitted on archaeological grounds, leave some area of the site free from topsoil to create different levels within the site. Vary the break in slope and plant a native species wildflower mix on the slopes to create areas of shelter for butterflies etc. Trees are not proposed on these areas to avoid damaging archaeological remains.

· Grass cuttings should be removed from areas being managed specifically for wildflowers. Create a compost area, hidden by shrubs at one corner of the site. This area will provide a habitat beneficial to a range of wildlife, especially grass snakes, which utilise compost heaps for food, shelter and for laying eggs.

5.0 General recommendations

· Scrub and tree planting should be designed to have scalloped edges creating sheltered grassland bays to benefit insects, amphibians and small mammals.

· Areas of grass should be cut in rotation to ensure a variation in grass lengths, thus creating a variety of habitats that benefit a range of wildlife. Grass cutting should be carried out at times when amphibians are not migrating.

· Create ditches along the edge of the site to improve drainage and to create an additional wildlife habitat (this also provides a barrier to the ingress of travellers). For conservation and health and safety reasons, seek to avoid creating a trapezoidal profile with steep sloping uniform banks. Aim for gentle gradient where possible.

· The use of floodlighting on either development site should be discouraged, particularly because of the close proximity of the site to a residential area and the 'urbanising' impact it would have. Floodlighting is also detrimental to birds, bats and insects. Should there be over-riding requirement on health and safety grounds for lighting, low emission sources should be considered to minimise 'bloom' effect.