CSA Environmental were commissioned by Fisher German in February 2019 to assist their client with a full planning application to allow the relocation of their cattle farming business. CSA were instructed to provide support on ecology, landscape and archaeology to address the technical information requested by Aylesbury Vale District Council.
Following a detailed Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, CSA’s Landscape Planning team were able to address concerns regarding the effect on the landscape and visual impact of the new agricultural buildings within the open countryside setting. Balancing the needs of the landowner and potential visual effects, the appropriate siting of the buildings in the landscape was agreed to make use of natural screening, with additional soft landscaping to settle the buildings into the landscape, and address any remaining visual effects.
Foscote Reservoir SSSI lies adjacent to the Site, designated for supporting overwintering wildfowl. Proposals were set back from the SSSI to respect the sensitive nature of the reservoir, with additional screening provided by site topography and vegetation. A Method Statement was prepared to avoid any impacts on nesting birds, bats and hedgerow as a result of a revised farm access. The client was keen to include ecological enhancements alongside new agricultural buildings, and therefore will provide three bird nest boxes, a bat box and an owl box, alongside native hedgerow planting, to provide overall benefits for wildlife on his land.
Although an Archaeological Desk Based Assessment was originally requested by the client, CSA liaised with the archaeological advisor to the LPA who confirmed that no archaeological report was necessary to determine the planning application.