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<p>The Environment Agency (EA) is not aware of any current applications for any consents
works for this area.</p><p>The EA determines applications on a technical basis, using
information and data to inform judgements. It ensures that the applicant, with the
EA’s input, has identified and assessed any potential impacts on the water environment.
Any consent issued must contain appropriate conditions to protect against these impacts.
An application can be refused on the grounds of unacceptable risk to the environment.</p><p>With
regard to Natural England’s remit, the Phase 1 Environmental statement identified
the principal ecological issues in this area as the loss and fragmentation of habitat
used by bats; habitat loss and disturbance affecting at a number of local wildlife
sites, and fragmentation of habitat used by black hairstreak butterfly habitat. High
Speed Rail 2 (HS2) has designed a suite of woodland and other planting to address
these impacts although the loss of ancient woodland at Decoypond Wood LWS cannot be
fully compensated as ancient woodland is irreplaceable. HS2’s mitigation includes
the Sheephouse Wood mitigation structure which will be provided to avoid potential
impacts on bats crossing the HS2 corridor adjacent to Sheephouse Wood. Natural England
has issued HS2 Ltd a bat licence for works in the Bernwood area.</p><p> </p>
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