Key environmental considerations
The key environmental impacts from housing, office or commercial developments include:
Development footprint
- habitat damage (including bogs, heathlands, woodlands and low nutrient grasslands)
- species disturbance and/or displacement
- modification to waterways including alterations to existing crossing structures such as culverts and bridges within the site
Drainage
- impacts on surface water drainage run-off rates and the potential risks associated with surface water flooding
Pollution of water environment
- potential for impacts on mains foul sewage capacity
- risk of polluting discharges from septic tanks entering surface waters or groundwater
- run-off contaminated by chemicals or sediment from stockpiles or site clearance works resulting from the release of inorganic compounds effecting water quality, aquatic ecosystems and fisheries
Documents/information required
The following lists the documents/information that may be required to ensure that DAERA can provide a substantive response:
Development details
- site access arrangements
- position of all buildings and associated infrastructure.
- details of proposed method of sewage disposal/location of septic tank or treatment plant
- site Drainage Plan
Surveys/assessments
Ecological e.g.
- habitat
- priority/protected species
Mitigation/compensation
- Pollution Prevention Measures during construction
- Species mitigation proposals
Further Guidance
- Single dwellings
- Multiple Dwellings
- commercial and industrial
- Water Features Survey
- Drainage Plan