St Albans, Environmental Improvement Works

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY
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 - River Ver Restoration (Reach 2)
The Environment Agency gives notice that it proposes to carry out improvement works to the River Ver in Verulamium Park, St Albans between NGR TL 14195 06752 and NGR TL 14527 06624 under Permitted Development rights. These works will be conducted in partnership between the Environment Agency and St Albans City & District Council. Previous works at the site included selective tree felling, floodplain reconnection and creation of a wetland. The proposed works will include the creation of earth bund around the wetland and in-channel improvements such as gravel berms and woody defectors. 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. This decision considers the small scale and nature of the works, as the site comprises 1 ha, along a 400m length of river. The scheme's objectives are to improve the ecological status of the river and provide environmental enhancements.  The proposed works consist of in-channel works to re-naturalise the river and have been designed and approved by geomorphologists and ecologists. Ecological surveys have been undertaken at this site and appropriate mitigation measures will be followed. No impacts are anticipated.
The proposed works will be phased, with the earth bund delivered prior to the in-channel works. The construction period is likely to be a maximum of three months in total, with no intended closures of public rights of way or the road network. Minor diversions will be in place for informal footpaths. Access to the site and construction compounds will be from the south of the site via existing hardstanding. The site is located within the St Albans Conservation Area and the proposed works should enhance the character of the conservation area. The site is adjacent to two Scheduled Monuments; lying east of "Verulamium, site of" (List Entry Number 1003515) and south of the Scheduled "St Albans Abbey, site of conventual buildings" (List Entry Number 1003526). The proposed works and access routes will not impact these sites. Significant archaeological investigations have been carried out and the site has limited archaeological risk.
Any person who wishes 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.
Clare Spooner,
Alchemy, Bessemer Road, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL7 1HE