Management of the Natural Environment and Landscape Flashcards
How have you provided strategic advice on land use, management practice and management of specfic habitats and species?
When carrying out a planning application for the construction of a farm track I identified potential presence of badger setts, I advised that Badgers were protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 and advised an ecological survey would need to be submitted with the planning application. The survey showed evidence of activity. I provided written advice to re-locate the route of the track, which would protect the setts. I also advised on the regulations surrounding the use of heavy machinery and Reasonable Avoidance Measures that should be used during construction
How have you interpreted and filtered advice? (management of nat enviro)
I advised my client on the presence of a number of TPO’s on a recent property purchase, I carried out research into the management of the TPO’s and provided a report of legal duties and ramifications, including obtaining consent for works, planning applications and limitations on construction & machinery to protect the Root Protection area.
How have you provided balanced report writing to provide overarching view of management of a landscape?
Badger Setts
Describe the proposed route.
The proposed route ran along the boundary of very rough undulating grass field, with a bank that dropped away on one side. It provided access from the main farm to another set of sheds.
How did you identify and confirm the presence of badger setts?
During the site visit I walked the proposed route and identified what I was confident were badgr setts, given their size and layout, I confiemed the presence by advising the client to obtain a ecological survey
How did the altered route avoid triggering staturoty licencing/notification procedures?
The altered route moved the access track to the other side of the field, which was over 30 metres from the location of the setts, which meant the client did not need to obtain a licence.
What financial impact did the alternative route have on the client.
None besides cost of ecological survey which was required anyway.
TPO
What were/are your clients objectives in relation to trees on the farm?
Generally the boundaries were in poor condition, and this included multiple in TPO trees. Before carrying out felling/lopping of them he wanted advice on what he could do.
How did your advice help them understand TPO’s and make an informed decision?
It helped them understand the rules around the maintaining of TPO’s and allowed them to make decisions on how they would carry out work and obtain consent from the LPA
Are you able to articulate an example of limitations on machinery/methods of construction near a tree with a TPO?
- excavation with a Root Protection Area is unacceptable unless dug by hand
- mechanical plant machinery cannot be used within the precautionary area
What is the precautionary area of a TPO?
4 times the diameter of the trunk.
How have you reported on planning relating to the natural environment?
- Ecological survey for planning application after identification of badger setts
- Creation of design statements documenting choice of external materials to blend into natural environment (timber pannelling)
How have you report on grants abailable for protection of landscape, natural habitat and natural resources?
I have provided advice in written report format on implemenation of mutliple options to protect the landscape such as at Bovey Castle, where land was designated as purple moor grass and rush pasture.
How have you advised clients on Capital Grants funding and what affects your advice?
I have advised a number of clients on various capital grant options such as fencing, concrete yard renewal and stone farm tracks. Factors affecting advice is cost, catchment sensitive farming, considerations compliance with the requirements of the scheme/location.
Tell me about a time you have applied to the RPA for funding on behalf of a client.
I applied for a CSS scheme, once agreement had been made with the client regarding options & locations I registered on the RPA for an application, I downloaded the plans and carried out Farm Environment Records and an Options Map. I then filled in the relevant information on the RPA including options, field numbers, areas etc. I then submitted the application once I had the client check they were happy with the application and emailed the RPA the 2 plans.
How have you advised your client on the practical delivery of a scheme?
I provided written advice on the CSS and SFI, as to how each scheme worked, as described in my case study including application windows, application structure, scheme start dates, payment dates, claim requirements, cropping information/rotational options.
If you’ve prepared an application for agri environemt schemes, what evidence was included within the application?
Farm environment Records, Option Agreements
Explain how management of the natural environemt interacts with diversification opportunities for your client.
Planning constraints such as SSSI AONB designations
Bovey Castle Midtier
What are the requirements/obligations under the options identified?
GS6 -
- Restrictions on cutting times, application of FYM/inorganic fertiliser
- no plough, cultivating
BN4
- Restore bank
- build in conjunction with best practice techniques
- make sure top level is level with the ground
- make the base of bank wider than top
What was the value of the claim/agreement you submitted?
120,000
What was the benefit to your client for entering the agreement?
Small extra revenue, guidance/plan on how to manage, sustainability ethos, reinvestment into land
SSSI consideration on planning
Whast was the SSSI?
Wyre Forest SSSI
What could the Client have been required to do if they had left the proposed building within the SSSI IRZ?
Provide further information (and potentially extend the peirod of the planning application) to answer to Natural England on the implications of the development on the SSSI. Tis would cost my client time & money.
What impact did moving the building have on the client?
Very little in reality, and actually provided more space for him to pull in off the road with Tractors/trailers.
