Lizard Scheme Approval Memo

Department Of Local Government And The Environment ### Memorandum TO: Secretary to the Planning Committee FROM: Sarah Corlett, Planning Officer REF: PA 03/1574 - creation of recycling compound for building materials, field 522517 to the east of the Energy From Waste Plant, Richmond Hill, Braddan DATE: June, 2004 ### Consideration Of Scheme For The Protection Of Lizards And Landscaping Scheme \&Colove Sample This application was considered by the Planning Committee at its meeting of 26th March, 2004 and was approved subject to the imposition of conditions relating to the protection/relocation of lizards which are known to colonise the hedge which was to be realigned as part of the works. Also a condition was attached requiring the details of a landscaping scheme to be approved by the Planning Committee prior to the commencement of works on site. No review has been requested in respect of this decision and the applicant is keen to start work, commencing with dealing with the lizards during the summer when they are apparent. The applicant has consulted the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry with respect to the lizards. A lounge of twelve lizards was found on the road between the EFWP and the two gates uphill of this and a further six found on the north and six on the south side of the road. Only three lizards were found within the stretch of bank to be realigned although there are likely to be more which weren't observed on the visit. It is proposed that the lizards will be captured by a licensed person prior to the commencement of works on site. Thereafter the removal of the hedge should follow with care and lizards should be captured with care if found, not holding them by the tail! The lizards will then be moved to the northern side of the road. Lizards in the remaining banks must be protected by the use of plastic sheeting pressed against the ground on a wooden frame. Thereafter, the banks should be managed with a single annual grass cut although I assume that this will be undertaken on the roadside by Department of Transport as part of their general maintenance of highways. The planning approval requires a belt of at least ten metres of trees alongside the road. The area of trees is actually less than that - seven metres between the two sod banks. The trees to be planted are ash, alder, beech and hawthorn. The second sod hedge is to accommodate the relocated lizards, thus providing a sunny aspect (which will not be hampered by the trees which will be to the north or the fence to the south which will be designed to allow the coming and going of the creatures). The stretch of tree planting provided is less than the ten metres required but they have provided within this strip, facilities to accommodate lizards, facilities which are required by another condition. The seven metres of trees will provide sufficient screening to soften the impact of the new development and at the same time, the provision of both banks will also contribute to the screening. I would recommend that this amended plan is approved and the lizard scheme is accepted subject to close adherence to the advice of Dr. Selman from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. A GAMME OF THE CLADDING TO BE USED ON THE AVILLONS MAS ALSO BEEN SIZULATED. THIS IS TO BE SURE USED AND IN MY VIEW COMPLIES WITH THE CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL. APPROVED ON PC 1/7/04