Page 19 - Ickford Neighbourhood Plan

ICKFORD NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN : 2019 – 2033 : VISION FOR ICKFORD 19

part of the Ickford Parish is located within the Thame Valley Biodiversity
Opportunity Area (BOA). BOAs are the most important areas for biodiversity
in the county and represent the regional priority areas of opportunity for
restoration and creation of Priority Habitats.

6.20.
6.20.
6.20.
6.20. The fauna recorded includes 36 species of butterfly, 46 bird species
6.20.
and more than 15 different mammals. Historically annual flooding in the
vicinity, particularly in winter and spring, enables important migratory bird
species to prosper. The local habitat also supports a range of moths and other
insect and reptile species. Great crested newts are regularly found in local
ponds. Predominately these recordings are verified by wildlife specialists
including BBOWT, British Butterfly Conservation Trust and others who survey
the locality on an ongoing basis. The Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes
Environmental Records Centre (BMKERC) holds the most up to date records
of biodiversity assets. BMKERC also holds a number of records of legally
protected and notable species within and immediately adjacent to Ickford
Parish, including great crested newt, water vole, bats, badger, protected and
notable birds, notable invertebrates and plants. Protected and notable species
are material considerations in planning applications and should be fully
assessed and mitigated for as part of any development application.

6.21.
6.21.
6.21.
6.21. The flora of the area is typical of a meadow and riverside
6.21.
environment though modern day agricultural practices have impacted the
range of wildflowers recordable. The surrounding area once had extensive
numbers of Elm trees but now Oaks, Willow, Lime trees and are notable. In
the churchyard and Rectory there are examples of a number of different
specimen trees with ancient Yew and Lime trees being fine examples. Black
Poplars are present in the Parish and are noted as the Forestry Commissions
most endangered native tree. Any unavoidable removal of a Black Poplar must
be replaced by 3 new Black Poplar trees to ensure the species survival.

6.22.
6.22.
6.22.
6.22. New development must support these habitats and species, in
6.22.
particular retaining and enhancing the hedgerows and ditches.

POLICY NE2: GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE & BIODIVERSITY

Development proposals must provide appropriate green infrastructure which results
in a minimum 10% net gain in biodiversity, and provides or enhances connectivity
between green spaces. In addition green infrastructure that contributes to flood
mitigation will be requested.

The use of a habitat impact assessment prepared by a suitably qualified person
will be required to assess any development impacts and produce the net gains for
biodiversity required

VISION FOR ICKFORD – NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLAN
www.visionforickford.co.uk