ANNOUNCEMENT OF INTENTION NOT TO PREPARE AN ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Regulation 5 of the Environmental

ANNOUNCEMENT OF INTENTION NOT TO PREPARE
AN ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Regulation 5 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Land Drainage Improvement Works (Amended) Regulations 1999 SI 1999/1783

The Fleets Habitat Creation Project

The Environment Agency gives notice that it proposes to carry out improvement works to the left bank fo the River Dearne in Barnsley adjacent to the Fleets,
a distance of 130m between NGR SE349076 and NGR SE349074.
The proposed improvement works will involve the following:

• Lowering and regrading of 130m of the left bank of the River Dearne to improve diversity of flows and habitats within the river;

• Earthworks within the adjacent field to the east to create areas of floodplain habitat; and

• Creation of a raised bund on the east of the field with hedgerow planting. The Environment Agency considers that the improvement works are not likely to have significant effects on the environment and does not intend to prepare an environmental statement in respect of them.

  The area of works comprises exactly 1 hectare (under the Environmental Impact Assessment threshold for Schedule 2 development).
  An environmental constraints review undertaken by the Environment Agency identified the following environmental risks:

• Fisheries – The River Dearne is a Salmonid River, a migratory route for

  species such as, Bullhead, Brown/Sea Trout and European Eel.

• Protected species present including Otter, Daubentons Bat and Common

  Frog.

• Existing Invasive Species (Himalayan Balsam, Japanese Knotweed and Giant Hogweed) found within the project area.
  The following detailed design and additional assessments can be made available upon request.

• Detailed drawings and Design Philosophy and buildability statement

• UK Habitat Survey and Preliminary Ecological Appraisal to identify and manage risks to species and habitats on site. A subsequent Bat Survey Note has been provided to demonstrate the impact on Bat Roosts.

• A Flood Risk Activity Permit (FRAP) has been submitted. This incorporates restrictions of in-channel working periods to avoid salmon spawning season and includes a Flood Risk Modelling Report and a Water Framework Directive Assessment.

• A Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) has been produced which details management measures to be undertaken during construction. This includes silt management measures during in-channel works, best practice measures to minimise harm and disturbance to notable species and invasive species management measures.
  Following incorporation of management measures identified within these assessments, no further assessment of potential environmental impacts is deemed to be necessary.

  Any person wishing to make representations in relation to the likely environmental effects of the proposed improvement works should do so, in writing, to the address specified below, within 30 days of the date of publication of this notice.

  27th September 2024
  Lee Thornley, Environment Agency, Lateral House, Leeds LS11 9AT