The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requires detailed technical assessments of topics including ecology, landscape, heritage, water and drainage, traffic, noise and air quality. These assessments will inform the planning application by providing the appropriate design and mitigation measures in which to minimise the impacts of development.
Main issues summary
Ecology
Comprehensive species and habitat surveys have been undertaken to understand the nature of the site and those features of particular ecological value that should be conserved and enhanced. A number of species have been found which will require protection.
The Misterton Marshes SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) falls within the site and the surveys of this feature have been discussed and agreed with Natural England. The SSSI will be sensitively protected within the development as part of a green infrastructure framework which includes the retention of the site’s ecological features (woodland, trees and hedgerows) together with extensive areas of new ecological habitats that will provide biodiversity benefits.
Water and drainage
Part of the River Swift and a number of its tributaries cross the site. Surveys have been undertaken of the River Swift and the extent of its floodplain is being modelled.
With the exception of a new bridge over the River Swift to accommodate the new spine road, all new buildings will be located outside of the floodplain of the river and these areas will form part of the green infrastructure framework referred to above.
A Surface Water and Foul Drainage strategy, including appropriate pollution control measures, will be developed. The site will include a series of drainage features in the form of ‘detention basins’ to control surface water run-off arising from the development. This will be discussed and agreed with the Environment Agency and Natural England.
Landscape
The site and wider landscape are not subject to any landscape quality designation but do contain key features of woodland and high quality trees and hedgerows. These would be retained and enhanced through the creation of a new green spaces and planting.
A new Swift Valley Community Park and woodland planting around the perimeter of the site will be provided to assimilate the development into the landscape as well as providing long term environmental benefits.
Heritage
There are no heritage assets (e.g. scheduled monuments, listed buildings or conservation areas) within the site, although there is the potential for non-designated assets of archaeological value. The Grade II* listed Misterton Church is near to the south east corner of the site.
Archaeological and heritage studies are being undertaken to consider the effects of development. This has included considering the location of development in relation to the setting of the Grade II* Misterton Church and views towards the Grade I Lutterworth Church. The impact of any development on these views will be mitigated as far as possible through new planting.
Traffic and transport
The land east of the motorway is currently accessed from the Gilmorton Road and the A4304 to the south. The scale of the development proposed will mean new access points will need to be created including the provision of a bridge over the M1 and the creation of a road linking with the A426 north of the town.
Traffic surveys of nearby roads are ongoing and the effects of the development will then be modelled to understand the impacts and what improvements are required. It is expected that improvements will be made to the M1 Junction 20 and Frank Whittle Roundabout, but other improvements may also be required.
Part of Gilmorton Road that forms the existing bridge over the M1 is proposed to be made into a bus and pedestrian/cycle only route with no through traffic. This is intended to control traffic accessing the town centre and encourage the use of alternatives to the private car. Other improvements are also being considered to pedestrian and cycle routes between the town centre and the development.
Noise and air quality
Traffic from the M1 motorway and other nearby roads creates noise and air pollution that may affect the environment of the site. Noise and air quality monitoring is ongoing and the effects of the traffic generated by the development will be modelled to understand the impacts and what improvements are required. This will include assessing the impacts within the town centre and other parts of the town. Mitigation measures may be necessary to ensure appropriate noise and air quality standards are met.