BeWILDerwood, Tatton - IEMA · Bure Valley Adventures Ltd Tatton Park March 2012 5 Overview of the Development Proposals 2.4 The narrative at BeWILDerwood Tatton will be written as

BeWILDerwood, Tatton

Environmental Statement - Non-Technical Sumamry March 2012

bidwells.co.uk

Summary

Bure Valley Adventures LtdTatton ParkMarch 2012

Quality Assurance

Site name: Tatton Park

Client name: Bure Valley Adventures Ltd

Type of report: Environmental Statement: Non-Technical Summary

Prepared by: James Alflatt BA (Hons) DipTP MSc MRTPI AIEMA

Signed

Date 9 March 2012

Reviewed by: Isabel Lockwood BSc (Hons) MRTPI

Signed

Date 9 March 2012

A copy of the Environmental Statement and Appendices may be viewed at Cheshire East Council, TownHall, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 1DP.

Paper copies of the Environmental Statement, together with the technical appendices can be purchasedfrom Bidwells at a cost of £250.00. Alternatively, a CD containing the documents can be provided at a costof £15 (prices are inclusive of VAT). The Non-Technical Summary is available free of charge.

Comments on the application proposals and the Environmental Impact Assessment should be directed inwriting to Cheshire East Council at the address above.


Table of Contents

1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 1

2 WHAT ARE THE PROPOSALS? ..................................................................................................... 3

3 WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED? ........................................................................................................ 9

4 THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS AND HOW THEY WILL BE MINIMISED ................................. 11

5 CONCLUSIONS ............................................................................................................................ 21

6 WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT?....................................................................................................... 23


1

1 INTRODUCTION1.1 This document provides a summary, in non-technical language, of the Environmental Statement

submitted in support of an application for planning permission to develop an ‘Outdoor Adventure

Attraction for Families’ at Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire which is an 800ha historic estate owned

by the National Trust (see Figure 1 for site location).

Figure 1: Site Location Plan

1.2 The Local Planning Authority (LPA), Cheshire East Council (CEC), considers that the proposals

constitute development which should be subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

and, as such, an Environmental Statement is required.

1.3 The Environmental Statement contains the detailed environmental information which has been

requested by both Cheshire East Council and its consultees, to assist them in making a decision on

this planning application.


2

1.4 A copy of the Environmental Statement and other application documents can be viewed at the

offices of Cheshire East Council, at the address below, during their normal office hours:

Cheshire East Council

Town Hall

Macclesfield

Cheshire

SK10 1DP

1.5 A paper copy of the Environmental Statement, together with the technical appendices can be

purchased from Bidwells (address below) at a cost of £250.00. Alternatively a CD containing the

planning application submission (which includes the Environmental Statement) is also available to

purchase at a cost of £15.00 (prices are inclusive of VAT).

Bidwells

16 Upper King Street

Norwich

Norfolk

NR3 1HA

The Environmental Statement1.6 This document summarises the findings of the Environmental Statement. It has been produced in

accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations

2011, alongside best practice guidance issued by government departments and the Institute of

Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA).


3

2 WHAT ARE THE PROPOSALS?

2.1 The application to which this Non-Technical Summary relates is for planning permission to develop

an ‘Outdoor Adventure Attraction for Families’ at Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire, referred to

hereafter as 'BeWILDerwood, Tatton'. The development for which consent is being sought can be

summarised as follows:

2.2 The key features of the proposals include:

Play and adventure play aimed at children between 3-12 years and their families, with

themed story of an enchanted world;

Educational with a foundation in literacy. The education programme is designed for

children to experience BeWILDerwood through the characters that live in the wood, find

out where they live, and identify with their adventures;

Woodland walks joining a series of play structures, storytelling areas, treehouses and

refreshment areas;

A 'train set' including a 24in gauge light railway on approx 1000m track;

The integration of all structures into the essential setting of woodland alongside a river;

All buildings are wooden construction with minimal intrusion to the woodland both during its

construction and eventual decommissioning/removal from the woodland without long term

residual impacts upon the receiving environment;

The adventure attraction would have seasonal opening throughout the year. Opening

hours would be 9.30am to 6.30pm or before dusk whichever is the earlier.

2.3 Figure 2 illustrates the layout of the proposed development.

4Figure 2: Layout of Proposed Development


5

Overview of the Development Proposals2.4 The narrative at BeWILDerwood Tatton will be written as a children’s book in the BeWILDerwood

series. It will form the core foundation for the structure of the attraction and it is essential that the

story is correctly reflected in the build so that the visitor will experience the crucial sense of the

story’s validity.

2.5 The story is based on water, and the tale opens with a drought. The Paddletails and Boggles who

live in this part of the wood must travel to meet the Old Man of The River, braving high bridges,

trains, mazes and many distractions from charming woodland creatures, to find the solution. They

realise that they are going to have to manage their water in the future if everyone is going to be

happy so they resolve to create a pond, which will never dry out.

2.6 Various wood dwellers (Boggles, Crocklebogs and others) must face the consequences of a

drought and its terrible effects on the very plants on which they live. To resolve this they must pull

together to create a water pool to supply water in the bad times. This will emphasise the values of

benign conservation of one’s environment and acknowledge climatic variations and the need to

address them.


6

2.7 Access to BeWILDerwood would be along existing roads within Tatton Park to join a new track

across agricultural land to the proposed car parks. Shawheath Covert would form the gateway and

ticketing area to BeWILDerwood, from where visitors would walk down a narrow valley into

Witchcote Wood. A network of pea shingle and boardwalk paths would lead visitors to discrete

areas of activity including aerial walkways, treehouses, play equipment and performance arenas

together with sitting out areas for relaxation. Varying sized kiosks of wooden construction would

provide refreshments and toilets. A narrow gauge railway would take visitors across the eastern

part of the wood.

2.8 The natural woodland setting is an essential element of BeWILDerwood, with the trees providing

enclosure around the activity areas for public use. The majority of trees, along with small areas of

other vegetation, would be retained within the activity areas to give a natural woodland feel in all

parts of the attraction. Opening times would be such that night-time lighting would not be required,

and visitors would not be present at dusk or dawn.

2.9 Service areas for the attraction would be located on the adjacent agricultural land with the existing

external woodland ride upgraded to provide access for construction vehicles and subsequently

emergency services. The majority of the construction work would be undertaken by hand, assisted


7

by small machinery such as mini diggers. The wooden buildings/kiosks would use a pile

foundation method of construction which will minimise the area of ground excavated. In activity

areas, vegetation would be removed to ground level and replaced by a wood chip surface, or

decking.

Consideration of Alternatives2.10 In accordance with the requirements of the EIA Regulations, an outline of the main alternatives

considered by the applicant has been provided within the Environmental Statement, alongside an

indication of the principal reasons for the chosen scheme. To this end, the main alternatives

considered included:

The ‘do-nothing’ scenario;

Alternative sites; and

Alternative designs.

‘Do-Nothing’

2.11 This scenario would essentially envisage leaving the site in its current state.

Alternative Sites

2.12 The site at Witchcote Wood, has been carefully selected as a suitable location following an

extensive site selection process. The applicant assessed a variety of different sites in order to

identify these, which would meet all the necessary environmental and commercial objectives.

2.13 The proposed development of the scheme is based upon the concept and operational principles

that have proven successful at Hoveton, in Norfolk. Detailed management proposals, site layout

and the proposed location and design of buildings have, however, been guided by the detailed

characteristics of this particular site.

After examination of a number of locations within Tatton Park, careful consideration was given to 4potential woodland sites (see Figure 3 for Location Plan):

Site A – Dairy Wood.

Site B – Wards Plantation.

Site C – Dog Wood/Mere/Knutsford Gate.

Site D – Witchcote Wood/farmland.

2.14 After careful assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of each site Witchcote Wood was

assessed to be the preferred location.

8

Figure 3: Alternative Sites Location Plan


9

3 WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED?3.1 The proposals which form the basis of this planning application have evolved and been informed

by community/stakeholder consultation and continuous engagement with Officers at Cheshire East

Council, together with statutory consultees and others, in the following ways:

Public Exhibition

3.2 An exhibition outlining the proposals for the Tatton Park site was held at Cottons Hotel on 23

February 2012, from 12pm to 8pm.

3.3 The exhibition was publicised in the following way:

Leaflet delivery to local households and businesses within the immediate locality;

Notification and invitation to the relevant Parish Councils and District Councillors (Ward

Members and Town Council);

Public Notice in the Knutsford Guardian (15 February 2012);

An article in Knutsford Guardian (15 February 2012);

Public notice at Tatton Park entrances;

Leaflets given to Tatton Park visitors;

BBC Radio did a broadcast about the exhibition on 23 February.

3.4 The exhibition consisted of a series of eight display boards, providing the background to the

concepts and masterplan to provide a basis for community/stakeholder debate and discussion.

This information helped formulate views and comments to be used and taken forward to inform the

preparation of the planning application.

3.5 The exhibition was manned by representatives from Bure Valley Adventures, Tatton Park and the

National Trust. Visitors to the exhibition were assisted with the interpretation of the proposals, if

required. Comment forms were given to visitors to enable the submission of written observations.

3.6 The next day the exhibition was moved to Tatton Park in the restaurant Harness Room where

people were able to continue to view and comment on the proposals.

Website

3.7 A website was created as a means of providing information to those members of the public who

could not attend the exhibition. The exhibition boards and a feedback form were included on the

website at www.BeWILDerwoodTatton.co.uk.

http://www.BeWILDerwoodTatton.co.uk./


10

Consultation with Relevant/Technical Stakeholders3.8 Throughout the process of preparing this planning application, various statutory consultees have

been approached and informed of these planning proposals. A large amount of this dialogue has

been associated with undertaking the technical studies which accompany this planning application.

The organisations consulted as part of the pre-application discussion and preparation of this

planning application include:

National Trust;

Environment Agency;

Highways Agency;

Cheshire East Council Highways; and

English Heritage.

Meetings with Cheshire East Council

3.9 Since September 2010, pre-application meetings have been held with Officers from Cheshire East

Council on planning, ecology and highway related matters.

3.10 Further details regarding the pre-application consultation undertaken in the preparation of this

planning application can be found within the Statement of Community Involvement which

accompanies this planning application.


11

4 THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS AND HOW THEY WILL BE MINIMISED

Legal Framework for the Environmental Impact Assessment

4.1 The Environmental Impact Assessment has been carried out in accordance with the Town and

Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2011. An assessment of the

effects has been made and measures to reduce adverse effects recommended.

Methodology

4.2 The potential environmental effects have been considered against a pre-development baseline and

the potential effects are measured on the basis of the extent to which they deviate from this

baseline, their significance and the potential for avoiding or ameliorating such effects. These

mitigation measures have been identified and incorporated within the application proposals.

Scoping

4.3 In order to focus the Environmental Statement on those aspects of the development that have the

potential to give rise to likely significant environmental effects, a Scoping Report was submitted to

Cheshire East Council at the conception of this project, and as the project has developed, and the

assessment work has been undertaken, the scope of the Environmental Statement has been

refined. The Scoping Report was submitted to Cheshire East Council in February 2011 and

supplemented in October 2011, with their Scoping Opinion adopted on 12 December 2011.

4.4 The purpose of this scoping stage was to ensure that all relevant environmental issues were

identified and assessed to provide the Local Planning Authority and its consultees with the

opportunity to comment on the proposed content of the Environmental Statement and the

assessment methodology/techniques to be used.

4.5 The advice received back from Cheshire East Council identified that the proposed development

was likely to raise a number of issues that would need to be considered by the EIA process, and to

assess the impacts of the proposed development upon the following aspects:

Archaeology & Cultural Heritage;

Ecology;

Landscape & Visual Impact; and

Transport & Accessibility.

4.6 Flood Risk and Air Quality were also aspects identified within the Council’s scoping response,

however, the Council and its consultees concluded that the proposed development's potential

impact upon these environmental aspects were not significant enough to warrant inclusion within


12

the Environmental Statement, but further assessment would be required, and submitted separately

as part of the planning application.

4.7 For each of the environmental aspects identified above, the assessment has considered the

impacts arising during both the construction and operational phases of the proposed development.

The operational phase refers to the stage when the development is completed and in use.

4.8 The following section provides a summary of the conclusions for each of the topics assessed, as

part of the EIA process and reported within the Environmental Statement.

Archaeology & Cultural Heritage4.9 The assessment of archaeology and cultural heritage was informed by a Desk-Based Assessment

and Walkover Survey of the outlined application area, which included a 250m buffer zone

surrounding it (comprising the study area). A total of 88 heritage assets were identified, collated

into a gazetteer of sites, with 47 lying within the outlined development site. None of the heritage

assets within the study area have statutory designations, and those outside of the study area with

potential setting issues have been assessed as part of the Historic Landscape, Heritage Asset and

Visual Impact Assessment.

4.10 Due to the long history of Tatton Park as an area of human activity, there is potential for the

presence of previously unidentified sub-surface remains within the outlined development site,

particularly associated with Mesolithic (10,000-4000 BC) and medieval activity (1066-1540).

However, most of the heritage assets have been assessed as being of low sensitivity (importance).

In most cases, this reflects the apparent poor degree of survival of remains that has resulted from

the ploughing of areas formerly occupied by field systems. Nevertheless, some trackways date

back to at least the first available map for the area, Hussey’s map of 1733, with some probably

being of medieval date, and have been assessed as being of medium sensitivity. The Castage

(Site 62) and the medieval deer park (Site 63) are features of the medieval landscape of Tatton

Hall, and are of high sensitivity. The deserted settlement of Hazelhurst (Site 82) on the south-west

edge of the study area has also been assessed as of high sensitivity.

Impact of Proposed Development

4.11 The proposed development is likely to have a significant adverse effect upon 37 heritage assets

during the construction phase and on 10 heritage assets during the operational phase. Only one of

the likely significant effects during the construction phase (Knutsford Road, Site 06) has been

assessed as being of moderate/minor significance, with no effects being assessed as greater than

this. Two of the significant effects during the operational phase have been defined as

moderate/minor significance (Sites 70 and 86). The overall impact of the proposed development on


13

archaeology and cultural heritage would be minor/negligible, but this could be further reduced

with mitigation.

4.12 Recommended mitigation for some of the known heritage assets comprises the excavation of

trenches across the routes of trackways and field boundaries that will be impacted upon during the

construction phase. However, some mitigation measures cannot be proposed at this stage without

further investigation, comprising survey (specifically fieldwalking and geophysical) and a

subsequent programme of trial trenching within areas that have demonstrated the potential for sub-

surface remains.

Ecology4.13 An Ecological Assessment was undertaken of the easternmost part the grounds of Tatton Park.

This part of Tatton Park is currently excluded from public use and forms extensive stretches (46ha)

of semi natural/mixed plantation woodland straddling Birkin Brook together with a scatter of small

plantations set within land in intensive agricultural uses.

4.14 The assessment included a desk study which collated information on sites noted for their

conservation status, and biological records for species of conservation concern including from

within Tatton Park. Other documents examined were in relation to landscape history and planning

policies. Field surveys were undertaken in 2010/11 of habitats within the application area with

specialist surveys for great crested newt, bat, badger, and invertebrates. Information on breeding

birds related to observations by Rangers collated since 1990.

4.15 The nearest statutory designated site for nature conservation is Tatton Mere Site of Special

Scientific Interest (SSSI) some 0.5km to the west of the application area. The Mere forms part of a

larger Ramsar site on account of its rich aquatic flora. Three non statutory Cheshire Sites of

Biological Importance (SBI) within the vicinity comprise:

Witchcote Wood (with Hanging Bank) (32ha);

Shawheath Plantation and Dog Wood (20 ha), and

Square Wood (14ha).

Witchcote Wood

4.16 Witchcote Wood is located in the centre of a belt of woodland covering some 50ha, with Hanging

Bank to its north and Shawheath Plantation and Tatton Mere Covert to the south. It occupies the

valley sides of the natural meandering course of a small river, Birkin Brook, with higher level land to

the east.


14

4.17 Witchcote Wood forms a broadleaved woodland with areas of mixed plantation. The more semi-

natural parts have been classified as a type of oak woodland with sycamore.

4.18 The nature conservation interest of Witchcote Wood relates to its location within a wooded river

valley, with some sections having a long recorded woodland cover and associated areas having a

relatively rich diversity of woodland herbs. The poorly drained nature of the soils and associated

wet flushes also results in patches with a relatively diverse flora. The woodland provides District

conservation interest although parts are in unfavourable condition.

Shawheath Covert, Western Ravine and Arable Land

4.19 As adjacent habitat to Witchcote Wood, both Shawheath Covert together with a minor narrow

valley connecting these two woods are of local conservation value. Their value relates to areas

with broad leaved helleborine, used by badger, and the marshy grassland in the valley.

4.20 Land in arable cultivation is of relatively little conservation value apart from small patches which

include isolated ponds used by small and medium sized populations of great crested newt.

Impact of Proposed Development

Witchcote Wood

4.21 The main areas of activity relate to the level land in the mixed plantation in the eastern part of the

wood, with two smaller areas closer to the river, and slides taking advantage of a steep slope

between the river and the level land. Remaining areas of wood with no visitor activity would

include the central part of the woodland and a 50-100m band around the periphery. This would

ensure that habitat connectivity through the wood is retained.

4.22 In all, around 2.2ha of the eastern side of the woodland would be replaced by boardwalk, the

railway, surfaced paths and wood chips with an associated loss of ground flora and shrubs. On

account of the specific location of larger areas of activity, the majority of ground flora affected is

characterised by broad buckler fern, bracken, low bramble and sycamore saplings. However, small

patches comprising a more diverse ground flora would inevitably be affected.

4.23 Seven wooden foot bridges would cross the river with natural ‘bridges’ also retained as part of the

setting. On the western side of the valley the main areas of activity would be amongst pine

plantation.

4.24 The maximum marshland area to be affected (some 400m2) is located at the eastern end of the

ravine connecting Witchcote Wood and Shawheath Covert. Here a shallow pond and elevated

decking area would be built with some minor benefit from localised removal of Himalayan balsam.


15

4.25 Whilst the majority of the tree canopy would be retained, approximately 65-75 mature trees would

be removed to enable the construction of the kiosks and to provide space for circulation in activity

areas. Conifers and sycamore would be the main mature species removed with a few oak and ash.

Some trees would be removed for health and safety reasons, with dead wooding of retained trees

overhanging areas with access. The overall number of trees removed would be relatively

insignificant although the overall dead wood resource would be slightly reduced.

4.26 In the eastern part of the wood, construction activities involving ground clearance could cause

harm to the small population of great crested newt using terrestrial habitat. The creation of the

Hippopomuddle Puddle in a former marl pit would provide additional aquatic habitat for great

crested newt.

4.27 During opening times, particularly in the initial period, the presence of large numbers of visitors

within the wood could cause on going disturbance to breeding birds and other woodland fauna,

extending beyond the immediate confines of paths and activity areas where visitors would be

allowed. In the absence of mitigation, the overall impact to Witchcote Wood is assessed as a

moderate to minor adverse significant impact.

Shawheath Covert, Western Ravine and Arable Land

4.28 In Shawheath Covert the entrance area, boardwalk, a shop and toilets would cover just under

0.2ha of the wood requiring the removal of shrubs and part of the broad leaved helleborine colony.

This habitat may also be used by great crested newt. The badger sett could be disturbed by the

construction of the area of board walk with potential for subsequent disturbance from visitors. A

boardwalk would cross through the ravine over marshy grassland.

4.29 In the absence of mitigation the overall impact on Shawheath Covert and western ravine is

assessed as a minor adverse significant impact.

4.30 Agricultural land would provide the location for the access road from Boathouse Plantation, car

parking areas, a small administrative office and the construction compound/maintenance depot.

The car park would be associated with areas of tree and shrub planting and two swales. There

would be a risk that the small sized population of great crested newt could be affected during the

construction period.

4.31 In the absence of mitigation the overall impact on the ecological value of the agricultural land is

assessed as a negligible impact.


16

Mitigation & Compensation4.32 Proposed mitigation measures relate to the method of construction, associated habitat

enhancement and on-going management. The formation of a management plan would be essential

during the periods of construction and subsequent operation.

4.33 Where possible the layout has been adjusted to avoid areas of greater conservation interest, and

to concentrate the areas of activity into discrete parts of the wood thereby avoiding fragmentation

of the woodland. Other mitigation and enhancement measures include:

Tree removal would favour selection of soft wood species and sycamore;

All paths and areas of activity would be fenced to prevent wider disturbance through

trampling by the construction team and visitors;

Timing of construction operations would minimise the potential short term impact to great

crested newt, breeding birds and badger;

The survey of trees with bat potential would be updated in advance of tree works to enable

specific measures for tree works;

Works with potential to affect great crested newt, and if necessary bat and badger, would

be undertaken under licence;

An artificial badger sett would be established in Shawheath Covert;

To benefit great crested newt, at two woodland ponds over shading vegetation would be

removed;

Three other wetlands and two swales would be established and log piles and refugia would

be created;

Ponds within arable land would be enhanced and one breeding pond would be

incorporated within re-established parkland providing a significant increase in terrestrial

habitat;

Bird and bat boxes would be erected to provide an additional resource for these groups;

Himalayan balsam would be removed from the wider area of the wood and elsewhere to

provide more favourable conditions for invertebrates;

Creation of a mosaic of habitats would be undertaken on agricultural land along the

western side of Witchcote Wood with the re-establishment of c.9ha parkland grassland,

and through planting a total c.0.4ha. trees and shrubs using locally occurring native

species;


17

Ten year management plan for c.55ha to address on going conservation management

within the affected area of Witchcote Wood, Shawheath Covert, in the re established area

of parkland and wetlands, and in the adjacent woodlands (remaining parts of Witchcote

Wood with Hanging Bank, and Shawheath Plantation/Dog Wood);

Monitoring would be undertaken as part of the plan including breeding woodland birds and

great crested newts;

A breeding bird survey would be undertaken prior to the start of the main construction to

inform construction/mitigation and woodland management, and as a baseline for

subsequent monitoring;

The created, enhanced and managed mosaic of habitats both within and adjacent to

Witchcote Wood would provide wider wildlife benefit for foraging bat, badger, hare, otter,

birds, invertebrates and great crested newt; and

Additional habitat enhancement of the wider area of Tatton would include management of

ponds within arable land, identification and management of veteran trees and associated

invertebrate populations, with the longer term objective of restoring arable land to parkland.

Through mitigation the detrimental effects associated with BeWILDerwood are minimised and can

be off set by the proposed extensive habitat enhancement, creation and management, such that a

net conservation benefit would result.

Landscape & Visual Impact4.34 A Historic Landscape, Heritage Asset and Visual Impact Assessment was undertaken to determine

the potential heritage, landscape and visual impacts of the proposed development.

4.35 Tatton Park is an outstanding example of an English country park, having had design input from

some of the great landscape and architectural designers of the eighteenth and nineteenth

centuries, including Lancelot Brown, Samuel and Lewis Wyatt, William Emes, Humphry Repton,

and Joseph Paxton. The Park is listed as Grade II* in English Heritage’s Register of Historic Parks

and Gardens of special historic interest in England, and at the local level, an Area of Special

County Value (ASCV). Tatton Hall is Grade I listed and there is a range of other buildings and

features, mainly within the gardens of the main Hall, which are also listed. Tatton Old Hall is Grade

II* listed.

4.36 The landscape character type is described as estate, woodland and mere in the Cheshire County

Landscape Character Assessment. The land use is large scale, unenclosed arable fields, bounded

by typically straight or simple geometric broad tracks. The landscape appears well wooded due to

the presence of mixed coniferous and broadleaved plantations in the simple gently rolling former


18

parkland landscape. Views through the landscape are enclosed by the interlocking typically

geometric forms of the plantation woodland including Cotton Relief Wood and Shawheath Covert.

4.37 The heritage assets associated with the Park, and the Park itself, are considered to be of very high

sensitivity purely by nature of their listed designations.

4.38 It is not anticipated that the proposed development will have any physical impact on the designated

listed buildings and scheduled ancient monuments. Some partial and distant views toward the

application site and moving vehicles may be possible close to some listed buildings, but it is

considered that these will be relatively minor, and will be mitigated by new tree planting.

4.39 The plantations immediately adjacent to the proposed development site are of relatively recent

origin, and not part of the historic parkland landscaping scheme. In any case, they are intended to

be left intact, and will be enhanced by the establishment of new tree and shrub planting.

4.40 Overall, the woodland throughout Tatton Park requires new planting and management, some

suffering from intense deer grazing preventing any regeneration, and a disproportionate ratio of

mature and over-mature trees. The new planting proposed as part of the development scheme will

enhance these existing woodlands.

4.41 The assessment has determined that there will be a major visual adverse impact on the area in the

immediate vicinity of the car park site (0-100m from the application site), but on areas not currently

accessible to the public, some distance away from the most sensitive heritage assets of the park

and where the impact will rapidly reduce with increasing distance from the site due to local

screening by vegetation, buildings and topography. This will result in the proposed car park having

a negligible or no impact from most parts of the park.

4.42 A wider area than the operational car park has been defined by a fenced enclosure, within which it

would be the intention to restore the parkland grassland character, similar to other more intact

areas of Tatton Park. The visual appearance of the car park would then merge into this wider

parkland landscape when the cars are not present, and it would be possible to restore the entire

car park in the future.

4.43 Overall, it is considered, that the proposed development will have a relatively local visual effect.

Most of the structures are within the woodland and for most visually sensitive receivers, the site is

screened by topography and intervening landscape features. The intention is that the proposals are

reversible, and that the land can be restored if necessary to its former parkland state.


19

Transport & Accessibility4.44 A Transport Assessment has been undertaken to assess the transport impacts of the proposed

development, including a consideration of the environmental impact of the proposed development

in transport terms, alongside recommended mitigation measures.

4.45 The assessment demonstrates that there is a good level of pedestrian facilities to the south of

Tatton Park, providing the potential for journeys by foot to occur between the proposed

development and Knutsford town centre; however this does fall outside of the 2 kilometre walking

catchment area outlined by Government Planning Policy Guidance. Journeys by foot are unlikely

to occur from the north of the site.

4.46 Whilst there are no dedicated cycle lanes on the surrounding highway network to the north or south

of the site, the quality and width of these carriageways are generally conducive to cyclists and

should allow journeys by bicycle to take place to and from the site. It has also been shown that

the bus and railway stations in Knutsford are located within the 5 kilometre walking catchment area

as outlined by Government Planning Policy Guidance, from the southern site access to Tatton

Park, providing opportunities for onward journeys by cycle from an initial journey by public

transport.

4.47 There is good potential to maximise use of established public transport links where available.

Regular bus services linking the Tatton Park with Knutsford and surrounding conurbations are

available throughout the proposed opening months of the development, whilst rail services to a

number of destinations are also available from Knutsford.

4.48 There are no existing safety issues in the immediate vicinity of the two site access junctions or the

A5034 Mereside Road/Ashley Road and the A50 Warrington Road/A5034 Mereside Road junctions

based on the most recently available five year accident history record.

4.49 The proposed development would be accessed via the existing two access junctions at Tatton

Park, however vehicles would be directed to the site via the main access to Tatton Park to the

north. The layout of both access junctions would remain the same as the existing arrangements

and would be sufficient to serve the site with the proposed development in place.

4.50 Vehicles arriving to the proposed development would be travelling outside of the traditional

weekday morning peak period and would therefore have no impact on the operation of the local

highway network and Strategic Road Network junctions considered, with the Base plus

Development flows at these times lower than the Base flows in the weekday morning peak period.

4.51 A proportion of vehicles departing the proposed development would leave the site between 16:00

to 18:00, however it has been demonstrated that the additional development traffic would not


20

increase overall traffic levels significantly above the base traffic levels which would occur at the

A556 / A50 Mere Crossroads and the M6 Junction 19.

4.52 All junctions assessed as part of the Transport Assessment were shown to operate within capacity

with the proposed development in place. It can be concluded that the impact of the site will be

either minor or negligible in terms of traffic and transport.

4.53 The Framework Travel Plan will be the mechanism by which the impact of traffic levels will be

monitored.


21

5 CONCLUSIONS5.1 In accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment)

Regulations 2011, the Environmental Statement has assessed, after the consideration of

alternative locations, the potential environmental impacts for the proposed ‘Outdoor Adventure and

Discovery Attraction for Families’ at Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire.

5.2 The assessment has been based on a range of detailed technical reports and assessments, with

the Environmental Statement reporting the likelihood of significant environmental effects occurring

during the construction and operational phases of the development. Appropriate mitigation and

enhancement measures have been recommended and the residual impacts, i.e. impacts following

mitigation, assessed and outlined in Table 1. It is anticipated that the mitigation measures

identified will be implemented, either through appropriate planning conditions or legal agreement,

resulting in the proposed development at Tatton Park not giving rise to any significantly adverse

environmental effects.

Table 1: Summary of Residual Impacts

Environmental Aspect Description of Effects Significance of ResidualEffects

Archaeology & CulturalHeritage

Construction:Direct disturbance of visibleor sub-surface remains ofarchaeological interest as aresult of intrusivegroundworks, topsoilstripping and land grading.

Negligible

Operational:Modifications to the setting ofvisible heritage assets.

Negligible

Ecology Witchcote Wood:Construction activities,including ground clearance.Disturbance by presence ofvisitors.

Negligible to MajorBeneficial

Shawheath Covert:Construction activities,including ground clearance.Disturbance by presence ofvisitors.


22

Environmental Aspect Description of Effects Significance of ResidualEffects

Landscape & Visual Impact Heritage & LandscapeImpacts:Views and vistas of theproposed developmentto/from heritage assets.

Negligible

Visual Impacts:Intrusion from car parkdevelopment and vehiclemovement. The assessmenthas determined that there willbe a major adverse impacton the area in the immediatevicinity of the site (0-100m)but the impact will rapidlyreduce with increasingdistance from the site due tolocal screening byvegetation, buildings andtopography.

Major Adverse - Negligible

Transport & Accessibility Impact upon the highwaynetwork.

Negligible


23

WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT?

5.3 Following the submission of the planning application, including the Environmental Statement in

March 2012, there will be an opportunity for any interested parties to make their views clear to

Cheshire East Council, who will take them into consideration when the application is determined in

due course. The full Environmental Statement containing the detailed results of the Environmental

Impact Assessment, and a set of documents supporting the planning application, can be viewed by

prior appointment at Cheshire East Council during normal office hours.


24

Contact

James Alflatt

Bidwells

16 Upper King Street

Norwich

NR3 1HA

dd: 01603 229345

e: [email protected]

m:\planning\norwich\ss79300003, bure vally adventures, tatton park, mereheath lane\environmental

statement\nts\non-technical summary 9.3.12.doc

mailto:[email protected]


25


26

Documents

BeWILDerwood, Tatton - IEMA · Bure Valley Adventures Ltd Tatton Park March 2012 5 Overview of the Development Proposals 2.4 The narrative at BeWILDerwood Tatton will be written as