Director: Richard Dodd, BSc (Hons), CEcol, MCIEEM Wildwood Ecology Limited. Registered in England & Wales, Company No. 6646654 VAT No. 938019610 Registered Office: Queen Anne House, 66 Cricklade Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 1JN ISSUING OFFICE Britannia House Caerphilly Business Park Van Road CAERPHILLY CF83 3GG 029 2002 2320 [email protected]www.wildwoodecology.com PRELIMINARY ECOLOGICAL APPRAISAL REPORT LAND OFF CLEARVIEW COURT, SHIRENEWTON MR DAVID ADAMS DOCUMENT REF: WWE18120/PEA/REV_C | 30/10/2018
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Director: Richard Dodd, BSc (Hons), CEcol, MCIEEM Wildwood Ecology Limited. Registered in England & Wales, Company No. 6646654 VAT No. 938019610
This document has been prepared by Wildwood Ecology Limited for Mr David Adams solely as a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Report. Wildwood Ecology Limited accepts no responsibility or liability for any use that is made of this document other than by the client for the purposes for which it was originally commissioned and prepared. The evidence which we have prepared and provided is true, and has been prepared and provided in accordance with the guidance of The Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management’s Code of Professional Conduct. We confirm that the opinions expressed are our true and professional bona fide opinions.
Mr David Adams Land off Clearview Court, Shirenewton WWE18120/PEA/Rev_C Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Report
• Wildwood Ecology was commissioned by Mr David Adams (the client) to undertake a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) of Land off Clearview Court, Shirenewton.
• The site is the subject of planning application that proposes a new residential development.
Wo
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• A PEA was undertaken consisting of a desk study and field survey undertaken in June 2018 following the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (2013) guidelines and standard Phase 1 Habitat Survey protocol (JNCC, 2010).
Key
issu
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• In the absence of mitigation, the development may result in impacts on wildlife and habitats affecting the following protected species:
o Bats o Reptiles o Great crested newt o Common dormouse o Nesting birds o West European hedgehog
Rec
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• Integrated bat tubes will be installed within the gable walls of plots 4 to 6.
• A new landscaping scheme will incorporate a new hedgerow feature to compensate for the loss of potential flight lines and commuting corridors for bats and other species.
• There will be no lighting of any new or retained boundary vegetation, or bat features incorporated within the new properties.
• A biodiversity method statement will be required to be agreed with the LPA ecologist in respect to reptiles, nesting birds, dormice and great crested newt.
• Bird boxes suitable for use by house sparrows, swift and starling will be installed on plots 1, 3 and 8.
• Gaps will be retained or created (as enhancement) in any newly created boundaries to allow hedgehogs to pass through the site.
• Native species of local provenance will be used for any new planting on the site (including trees).
Co
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s • If all recommendations are followed, then it is possible for the proposals to be undertaken and for there to be no net loss of biodiversity at the site.
• This ecological report will remain valid for a period of 2 years from the date of the last survey – i.e. until June 2020.
Mr David Adams Land off Clearview Court, Shirenewton WWE18120/PEA/Rev_C Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Report
Figure 2 - Proposed development plan. Provided by client ....................................................................................................20
Figure 5 - Recommended locations for bat and bird nest boxes. Red - bat boxes; Green - bird nest boxes .......................23
Figure 6 - Likely bat flight lines following vegetation lines. Yellow indicates as present; red indicates hedge to be lost; blue indicates with new hedgerow. ..........................................................................................................23
Figure 7 - North east corner of the site. Photo taken from central access road within site .................................................25
Figure 8 - Western boundary. Photo taken from central access road within site .................................................................25
Figure 9 - South west corner of the site. Photo taken from north .........................................................................................25
Figure 10 - Hedgerow present along northern boundary and north east edge of the site. Photo taken from central access road ..................................................................................................................................................25
Figure 11 - Central onsite road. Photo taken from north looking south ................................................................................25
Mr David Adams Land off Clearview Court, Shirenewton WWE18120/PEA/Rev_C Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Report
Figure 17 - Wire and post fence separating arable land from the grassland. Photo taken looking south ...........................26
Figure 18 - Crop plants present in arable land. Barley and wheat..........................................................................................26
Figure 19 - Northern boundary hedgerow. View from access road to the north that bounds the hedgerow ....................27
Figure 20 - North east corner of grassland where hedgerow meets bracken and wire and post fence. Photo taken looking north .................................................................................................................................................27
List of tables
Table 1 – Sources of biodiversity and ecological records. ......................................................................................................... 3
Table 3 – Summary of designated sites in range of the site. .................................................................................................... 5
Table 4 – Priority and protected species records found in the vicinity of the site within the last 10 years. ......................... 7
Table 5 – Summary of weather conditions during the PEA....................................................................................................... 8
Table 6 – Habitats and linear features present onsite. ............................................................................................................. 9
Table 7 – Indicative potential impacts of the proposed development affecting onsite protected species. ........................13
2.1 A biodiversity desk study was undertaken in relation to the site in June 2018. The sources consulted and
the type of information obtained are summarised in Table 1.
Table 1 – Sources of biodiversity and ecological records.
Source Information requested
(search buffer from site centre/boundary)
South East Wales Biodiversity Records Centre (SEWBReC)
• Protected and priority species (2km)
• Sites of local importance/designation (1km)
Multi-Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside (MAGIC)1
• International statutory designations (5km)
• National statutory designations (2km)
2.2 The search buffers are considered to be sufficient to cover the potential zone of influence (ZoI2) of the
proposed development.
2.3 The impact of the proposed development on the biological integrity of any nearby designated protected
sites has been fully considered.
2.4 No previous survey information was available for the site itself.
Field survey
2.5 A field survey was undertaken on 18/06/2018.
2.6 All habitats present within the site with the potential to support rare, protected, or otherwise notable
species of flora or fauna (together with any direct signs) were noted.
2.7 In the context of this report, rare, protected, or otherwise notable species of flora or fauna were those
considered to meet any of the following criteria:
• Species protected by UK or European legislation (see Appendix VI);
• UK Post 2010 UK Biodiversity Framework priority species or Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP)
species;
• Nationally rare or nationally scarce species;
• Species of Conservation Concern (e.g. JNCC Red List, RSPB/BTO Red or Amber Lists).
2.8 A PEA habitat map was drawn up incorporating target notes used to highlight features of particular
ecological interest (see Appendix I).
2.9 The Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) as amended, makes it an offence to release or allow to escape
into the wild any animal, plant or micro-organism not ordinarily resident in the UK (as listed in Schedule
9 of the Act). Plant species listed in Schedule 9 were searched for during the survey. Examples include
species such as Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) and Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera).
1 http://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx 2 ZoI definition – ‘the areas/resources that may be affected by the biophysical changes caused by activities associated with a project’ (CIEEM, 2016).
Mr David Adams Land off Clearview Court, Shirenewton WWE18120/PEA/Rev_C Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Report
2.10 The PEA was undertaken by Ms Charlotte Poole. See Table 2 for further information.
Table 2 – Surveyor information.
Surveyor Licences Ecological experience
Charlotte Poole M.Sc., B.Sc. (Hons) Assistant Ecologist
-
Holds a 2:1 Honours degree in Biology and a Masters (Conservation and Geographical Information Systems). Experience of working with ecological consultancies and local authorities as a surveyor of bats and newts.
Limitations and assumptions
2.11 The desk study and field survey will not produce a comprehensive list of plants and animals as this will
be limited by factors that influence their presence (e.g. activity and dormancy periods). An assessment
can however be made of the habitats within the survey area, their nature conservation value and
potential to support protected or priority species.
2.12 No other limitations were encountered or assumptions made during either the desk study or the field
survey and it is considered that with the access gained and recording undertaken an accurate
assessment of the site’s ecological value has been made.
Mr David Adams Land off Clearview Court, Shirenewton WWE18120/PEA/Rev_C Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Report
3.1 There were three international statutory designations (SACs) within 5km of the site and seven national
statutory designations (6x SSSIs and 1x AONB) within 2km (see Table 3).
Designated sites (non-statutory)
3.2 There were five non-statutory designations (all SINCs) within 1km of the site (see Table 3).
Table 3 – Summary of designated sites in range of the site.
Site name Designation Description / key reason for designation Distance & direction
Shirenewton Meadows SINC • Neutral grassland 0.2km N
Mynydd-Bach Meadows SINC • Neutral grassland 0.5km N
Wye Valley AONB
• Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) recognised in particular for its limestone gorge scenery and dense native woodlands, wildlife, archaeological and industrial remains.
0.6km N
Mwyngloddfa Mynydd -bach SSSI • Lesser horseshoe bat winter hibernation
roost. 0.6km N
Land off Usk Road/Wayside SINC • Neutral grassland and hedgerows 0.7km N
Longmead Wood SINC • No information available 0.8km SW
Wye Valley Lesser Horseshoe Bat Site
SSSI • 4 Lesser horseshoe bat summer roosts 0.8km NE
Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Bat Sites
SAC • Greater horseshoe bat
• Lesser horseshoe bat 0.8km NE
Llwyn y Celyn Wetland SSSI • Marshy grassland 0.9km N
Coombe Valley Woods SSSI • Semi-natural broadleaved woodland
• The common dormouse 1.8km W
Dinham Meadows SSSI/SINC
• Unimproved neutral grassland, associated with unimproved limestone grassland.
• Grizzled skipper butterfly
1.8km SE
Wye Valley Woodlands / Coedtiroedd Dyffryn Gwy
SAC
• Yew-dominated woodland
• Mixed woodland on base-rich soils associated with rocky slopes
• Beech forests on neutral to rich soils
• Lesser horseshoe bat
4.7km E
River Wye / Afon Gwy SAC/SSSI
• Running water supporting Ranunculion vegetation
• Otter
• Fish species including Atlantic salmon, Twaite shad, Allis shad, Sea lamprey, river lamprey and book lamprey, bullhead and a group of rare craneflies
• A population of flowering rush, which is a rare plant in Wales.
• Rare and scarce mosses and liverworts, including the rare flood-moss
• Goosander- The river is an important wintering area for this species
• White-clawed or Atlantic stream crayfish
4.8km E
Mr David Adams Land off Clearview Court, Shirenewton WWE18120/PEA/Rev_C Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Report
5.1 Wildwood Ecology was commissioned to undertake a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) of Land off
Clearview Court, Shirenewton
5.2 The site is the subject of an outline planning application for the development of 11 residential dwellings;
seven consisting of a property with both front and rear gardens with either singular or multiple trees,
garage and driveway and four terraced properties with rear and front gardens.
5.3 The proposed plans include the insertion of an access road to the eastern section of the site with
accompanying vision splay, approximately 43.0m in length, therefore retaining approximately 35.0m of
hedgerow.
Designated sites
5.4 There is some connectivity between the site and nearby designated sites (statutory and non-statutory),
including the SAC (Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Bat Sites). See Table 4 and paragraphs 4.4 and 4.5.
There may be some indirect impacts on the bats which may use these sites due to increased lighting,
and some reduction of foraging opportunities, in the absence of mitigation.
5.5 All other non-statutory designations mentioned above are sufficiently well separated from the site.
Given the scale of the proposed development, and the lack of likely impacts beyond the site boundary,
these nearby designated sites are sufficiently well separated so that no impacts on their designated
features are anticipated as a result of the works.
Protected species
5.6 Recommendations regarding protected species are shown in Table 8. See Survey Calendar in Appendix
VI for optimal survey timings.
Table 8 – Recommendations.
Species Recommendations
Bats
• New planting of a hedgerow with dead-hedging using brash from existing
hedgerow OR translocation of existing hedgerow with infill of new planting,
along the eastern boundary of the site creating an alternative north-south
route for commuting bats. See Appendix III for a proposed hedgerow
compensation plan.
• The hedgerow will consist of a mix of five native species of local provenance
and species of value to other protected species e.g. species favoured by
common dormouse (hazel, hawthorn, oak sp, blackthorn, guelder rose).
• The construction phase of proposed development will be undertaken during
daylight hours and a lighting plan will be produced to demonstrate that any
exterior lighting proposed post-development would not have a detrimental
effect on bats commuting along the boundaries of the site, or on any bat
roost features incorporated into Plots 4, 5 and 6 (integrated Schwegler bat
tubes). The lighting plan will need to show dark corridors for use by light
sensitive species which use the nearby SAC (example in Appendix III).
Common dormouse
• A dormouse method statement will be required to demonstrate how the development will proceed with consideration for dormice and will include compensation measures which will include, but not be limited to, the following.
Mr David Adams Land off Clearview Court, Shirenewton WWE18120/PEA/Rev_C Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Report
• Compensation hedgerow (see above and Appendix III)
• Removal of the hedgerow will be undertaken using a two-stage strategy following best practice. All removal will be supervised by a licenced ecologist.
• Stage 1 - Above ground vegetation will be cut during winter (December 2018-February 2019) using hand held tools down to 300mm from ground level, following a check and supervised by a dormouse ecologist. There will be no breaking of ground. The resulting brash will be used to provide an immediate structure along the planted hedgerow on the eastern boundary. The stumps of the cut vegetation will remain undisturbed, if the ecologist states that there is scope for them to contain any below ground nests (i.e. hibernation nests)
• The hedgerow will be protected from any other onsite works by fencing where site boundaries allow
• Stage 2 - removal of the remaining 300mm vegetation, tree stumps, roots, soil and other ground works will be undertaken after May 2019 (and before the following winter). The remaining vegetation will be checked by a licenced ecologist (fingertip search) immediately prior to removal. Stumps will be removed in small sections by a ‘mini-digger’ with a bucket <300 mm wide.
European otter • No further surveys required.
• Any uncovered deep excavations or trenching will include a means of escape for any animals – a plank at no more than 30˚ will be adequate.
Great crested newt
• No further surveys required.
• Vegetation will be removed in winter (December 2018-February 2019) following the protocol discussed below in relation to reptiles.
• The use of one-way herp-fencing (see Appendix III for a proposed location of fencing) will stop any potential newts from entering the site during works and should be erected along the boundaries with turn backs. This fencing will be used to prevent reptiles and newts entering the site.
• In the unlikely event any great crested newts are encountered onsite works should be stopped immediately, and advice sought from the project ecologist.
Reptiles
• A reptile mitigation strategy will be followed.
• Vegetation will be removed in winter (mid-November 2018-February 2019), down to ground-level and maintained at this level until construction commences.
• All cuttings are to be removed from the site. The vegetation will be cut moving from the north of the site to the south to allow the movement of onsite reptiles, if present, to the south and offsite. Once this is complete, one-way herp-fencing will be installed.
• The use of one-way reptile fencing will stop any potential populations of reptiles from re-entering the site during site works and will be erected along the boundaries. See Appendix III for a proposed location of reptile fencing.
Nesting birds
• If habitats suitable for nesting birds are to be removed, then any vegetation clearance will take place outside of the bird nesting season, in line with the recommendations for dormice and other species.
• Bird boxes will be installed on plots 1, 3 and 8 to accommodate local bird populations.
European badger • As for otter above.
West European hedgehog
• No further surveys required.
• Gaps (13cm x13cm) will be left at the bases of all on-site fences/walls including site boundaries to allow passage of hedgehogs across the site. In addition, cautious working is advised to prevent killing or injury to this species, i.e. careful removal of leaf litter piles by hand.
Invertebrates • No further surveys required.
Mr David Adams Land off Clearview Court, Shirenewton WWE18120/PEA/Rev_C Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Report
Figure 5 - Recommended locations for bat and bird nest boxes. Red - bat boxes; Green - bird nest boxes
Figure 6 - Likely bat flight lines following vegetation lines. Yellow indicates as present; red indicates hedge to be lost; blue indicates with new hedgerow.
Towards Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Bat Sites SAC
Mr David Adams Land off Clearview Court, Shirenewton WWE18120/PEA/Rev_C Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Report
Licensing: certain prohibited actions under the Wildlife and Countryside Act may be undertaken under licence
by the proper authority. For example scientific study that requires capturing or disturbing protected animals
can be allowed by obtaining a licence – e.g. bat surveys.
Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017
The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (which are the principal means by which the EC
Habitats Directive is transposed in England and Wales) update the legislation and consolidate all the many
amendments which have been made to the Regulations since they were first made in 1994.
These regulations provide for the:
• protection of European Protected Species [EPS] (animals and plants listed in Annex IV Habitats Directive
which are resident in the wild in Great Britain) including bats, dormice, great crested newts, and otters;
• designation and protection of domestic and European Sites - e.g. Site of Special Scientific Interest [SSSI]
and Special Area of Conservation [SAC]; and
• adaptation of planning controls for the protection of such sites and species.
Public bodies (including the Local Planning Authority) have a duty to have regard to the requirements of the
Habitats Directive in exercising their function – i.e. when determining a planning application.
There is no defence that an act was the incidental and unavoidable result of a lawful activity.
Licensing: it is possible for actions which would otherwise be an offence under the Regulations to be
undertaken under licence issued by the proper authority. For example, where a European Protected Species
has been identified and the development risks deliberately affecting an EPS, then a ‘development licence’ may
be required.
Species protection
The following protected species information is relevant to this report. Legislation is only discussed in relation
to planning and development; other offences may exist.
Amphibians
The common frog, common toad, common newt, and palmate newt receive limited protection under the
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), making it illegal to sell or trade them.
The Great Crested Newt and Natterjack Toad are fully protected under the Conservation of Habitats and
Species Regulations 2017 as European Protected Species. It is illegal to:
• Deliberately capture, injure, kill, or disturb either species,
• Intentionally or recklessly obstruct access to any structure/place used for shelter or protection, or
• Damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place.
Badger
Badgers are protected in the UK under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. Under the act it is an offence to:
• Wilfully kill, injure, take, possess or cruelly ill-treat3 a Badger, or attempt to do so;
3 The intentional elimination of sufficient foraging area to support a known social group of Badgers may, in certain circumstances, be construed as an offence by constituting “cruel ill treatment” of a Badger
Mr David Adams Land off Clearview Court, Shirenewton WWE18120/PEA/Rev_C Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Report
• To intentionally or recklessly interfere with a sett4 (this includes disturbing Badgers whilst they are
occupying a sett, as well as damaging or destroying a sett or obstructing access to it).
The legislation aims to protect the species from persecution, rather than being a response to an unfavourable
conservation status, as the species is in fact common over most of Britain; it is not intended to prevent properly
authorised development.
Bats
All British bats are classed as European Protected Species and therefore receive protection under the
Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, making it an offence inter alia to:
• Deliberately kill, injure or capture a bat;
• Deliberately disturb bats;
• Damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place of a bat.
In addition, all British bats are also listed under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as
amended) which contains further provisions making it an offence to intentionally or recklessly:
• Obstruct access to any structure or place which any bat uses for shelter or protection; or
• Disturb any bat while occupying a structure or place which it uses for that purpose.
If proposed development work is likely to destroy or disturb bats or their roosts, then a licence will need to be
obtained from Natural Resources Wales, which would be subject to appropriate measures to safeguard bats.
Birds
In the UK, the provisions of the Birds Directive are implemented through the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981
(as amended), the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017. All wild birds, their nests and eggs
are protected it an offence to:
• kill, injure, or take any wild bird;
• take, damage or destroy the nest of any such bird whilst it is in use or being built; or
• take or destroying an egg of any such wild bird.
The law covers all species of wild birds including common, pest or opportunistic species.
Special protection against disturbance during the breeding season is also afforded to those species listed on
Schedule 1 of the Act.
Dormice
The common dormouse is classed as a European Protected Species and therefore receive protection under
the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, making it an offence inter alia to:
• Deliberately capture, injure, or kill a dormouse;
• Deliberately disturb dormice;
• Damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place of a dormouse.
In addition, the dormouse is listed under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended)
which contains further provisions making it an offence to intentionally or recklessly:
• Obstruct access to any structure or place which a dormouse uses for shelter or protection; or
4 A sett is defined as “any structure or place which displays signs indicating current use by a Badger”. Advice issued by Natural England (June 2009) is that a sett is protected as long as such signs remain present, which in practice could potentially be for some time after the last actual occupation by Badger.
Mr David Adams Land off Clearview Court, Shirenewton WWE18120/PEA/Rev_C Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Report