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Despite the diversity of habitats, the majority of the Onshore Cable Route passes through intensively farmed arable land. Habitats of nature conservation value in these areas are generally restricted to linear features such as hedges and watercourses with other habitats occurring in discrete land parcels. Further description and evaluation of habitats crossed by the route are given in the East Anglia Offshhore Windfarm: Phase 2 Botanical report (RSK, 2012)
4.2 Habitats 4.2.1 Woodland, Scrub, Hedgerows and Mature Trees
Woodland and hedgerows are recognised as nationally important habitat under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP), which lists Lowland Mixed Deciduous Woodland and Hedgerows as ‘Priority Habitats’ for conservation and enhancement. Mixed Broadleaved Woodland and Plantation and Ancient or Species-rich Hedgerows are also listed as Priority Habitats on the Suffolk Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) and so all woodland and hedgerow habitats should be considered to have at least local importance and possibly national importance for the better examples. Woodland and hedgerow habitats crossed by the cable are covered in more detail in East Anglia Offshhore Windfarm: Phase 2 Botanical report (RSK, 2012).
4.2.2 Rough Neutral Grassland
Species-rich grasslands are important habitats and should be protected during cable installation. Grassland on seawalls can contain very rare and legally protected plants and is a very restricted habitat. All areas of unimproved and semi-improved grassland are covered in more detail in East Anglia Offshore Windfarm: Phase 2 Botanical report (RSK, 2012).
4.2.3 Agricultural and Amenity Grassland
Agricultural and amenity grasslands are common and ubiquitous throughout the UK. These habitats are easily re-creatable and so can be considered to have negligible ecological value. No further botanical survey work is needed in these areas.
4.2.4 Unimproved and Species Poor Calcifugous Grassland
Calcifugous grasslands are listed on the UKBAP and LBAP as a priority habitat. They therefore should be considered to have at least local importance and possibly national importance for the better examples. All areas of calcifugous grassland are covered in more detail in East Anglia Offshhore Windfarm: Phase 2 Botanical report (RSK, 2012).
East Anglia Offshore Wind Limited Phase 1 Habitat Report 854188 (Rev01)