West Winch Housing Access Road - WWHAR

• PKA021-WWHAR-SK062 – This simply shows the four working areas over a larger scale plan.
• PKA021-WWHAR-SK063 – This plan shows an indicative layout of the proposed National Gas Transmission access off New Road.  While the text on the plan around T6 and T7 mirrors what is in the planning application, as explained at last Wednesday’s meeting, NCC are working with National Gas Transmission to obtain approval from the Local Planning Authority to carry out mitigation works on T7 (bird scarer, pruning of T7 and the removal of the ivy on T7) in the event that T7 will be felled.  NCC will also work with National Gas Transmission to see if a non-felling option can be explored once planning has been granted.
• PKA021-WWHAR-SK064 – This plan shows the outline of the proposed access road location, project red line boundary, temporary land boundary (yellow line) to support the National Gas Transmission diversion works, National Gas Transmission’s proposed working area (single line hatched area) 22m north and 11m south of diversion (long dashed line), along with the trees and hedgerow that are required to be felled.
• PKA021-WWHAR-SK065 – As in SK064, outline of proposed access road location, project red line boundary, temporary land boundary (yellow line) to support the National Gas Transmission diversion works, National Gas Transmission proposed working area (hatched area) 22m north and 11m south of diversion (long dashed line), along with the tree and hedgerow that are required to be felled and the location of the existing veteran tree which will not be impacted as part of the works.
• PKA021-WWHAR-SK066 – As in SK064 & SK065, outline of proposed access road location, project red line boundary, along with location of reptile translocation fencing (green line), location of Archaeological trial trenches.  I have also highlighted Sheep’s Course Wood confirming that no works will be taking place within this area.

I’m writing to confirm that a small piece of early environmental preparation work was completed last week on private land within the project area, with the full agreement of the landowner. 

This involved minor ivy pruning and bird‑deterrence measures on a single tree. These steps are standard ecological precautions used ahead of planned vegetation management, helping to ensure birds do not nest in the tree during the statutory nesting season and allowing safe access to the construction area later in the year.

We appreciate that any activity involving trees can be sensitive locally. For that reason, we wanted to proactively share this update so the Parish Council is aware of what has taken place and why. 

These works were carried out on a precautionary basis only, in anticipation of planning permission for the pipeline diversion to be granted. To be absolutely clear, they are not linked to any ongoing planning applications, nor do they prejudge the outcome in any way. If planning consent is not granted, the measures we have taken will have no impact.

To confirm:

• The work took place on private land with the landowner’s full consent.
• The activity was purely early environmental preparation and not the start of construction.
• No public trees or public rights of way were affected.
• National Gas is responsible for the safe diversion of two high‑pressure National Transmission System pipelines as part of wider infrastructure activity in the area.
• We will continue to keep the Parish Council informed ahead of any more visible works.