WM676 Phase 1 - consultation-online.co.ukconsultation-online.co.uk/UserFiles/royston/WM676 Phase 1.pdf · Wildlife Matters Consultancy Unit, Report WM676 Phase 1 11 May 2010 1 Royston,

Royston Wildlife Matters

Wildlife Matters Consultancy Unit, Report WM676 Phase 1 11 May 2010 1

Royston, Hertfordshire Phase 1 Habitats Survey

By

On behalf of

John Baines, Fairview New Homes Ltd., 50 Lancaster Road, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 OBY Tel. 0208 366 1271

Dated 11 May 2010



1.0 Executive Summary

The site itself does not have statutory protection.

Material considerations relate to Lizards and Slow worms.

Common Lizards occur around the edges of A, B and C.

A slow worm has been found in Area B.

The slow worm is a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species.

One Red listed bird is found occasionally on site: skylark.

Three Amber-listed birds are found on site (Kestrel, Starling, Blackbird).

The site has no water bodies or buildings.

No amphibians were recorded.

Badgers and Barn Owls were not recorded.

There are no large trees on site, but there is a fragment of hedgerow in C.

There is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) 90m to the north of Area B.

Overall, the three sites are of low wildlife interest, except for the curtilages that are of medium wildlife interest.

2.0 Instructions

2.1 Wildlife Matters was instructed by Rebecca Beeson on 1 October 2008 to upgrade the Ecology Survey carried out in 2004.

3.0 Site Visits

3.1 Site visits have been made from 2004 to the autumn of 2008. These visits have been mostly concerned with surveying for reptiles over the three sites. Twenty visits were made in 2008. A review of the natural history interest of the area was commissioned from the Hertfordshire Biological Records Centre.

4.0 Location of site

4.1 The site is in located in the northernmost part of the Civil Parish of Royston. The north limit of the parish follows the centre line of the A505 dual-carriageway



5.0 Site Description

5.1 The site comprises three areas of land, A, B & C that are situated within the inside bend of the A505 dual-carriageway. Towards the outside (or north) of the site is the dual-carriageway, and towards the south is housing (previously build by Fairview New Homes Ltd).

5.2 The three plots of land are essentially grasslands and have been managed as such for the last decade or so. The sizes of the areas are A 3.6273 ha, B = 0.7164 ha and C = 1.6227 ha producing an overall size of 5.9664 ha.

Plan of the site showing the three areas, A,B,C (from west to east) based on 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey (copyright); north to top.

6.0 Methodology

Flora

6.1 Angiosperms were surveyed by sector over the site. Their specific names are according to Dony et al., 1986 with verification to species level with Rose, 1981. Abundance was scored according to the DAFOR scale, where D =dominant, A= Abundant, F = Frequent, O = Occasional and R = rare. Grasses and Ferns were verified in, and are according to Fitter & Fitter, 1984. Grasses were also verified in Hubbard, 1976, Thomas & Davies, 1965

Fauna

6.2 Birds were assessed visually and with binoculars. Characteristic signs of birds were checked for, such as song thrush anvils, predatory remains, owl pellets. Characteristic bird song was listened for. Nests and feathers were also sought. Bird names are according to Fitter et al.,1972.

6.3 Mammal names are according to Van Den Brink, 1967.

6.4 Bats were checked for, but as the sites do not have any buildings or old trees with crevices there were no roosts to check.



6.5 Badgers were checked for by looking for I) typical spoil heaps (old ones grassed-over) or new ones recently excavated, 2) large holes (as opposed to the smaller ones created by rabbits), 3) the characteristic smell of badgers emanating from within if badgers present, 4) the typical, well-worn runs (uni-directional) through vegetation or over ground, 5) their claw marks on mud, excavated rocks or on tree bark, 6) their black and white hairs caught on wire and / or bramble thorns, 7) their typical latrine areas, whilst being wary of the less uniform tracks of foxes, their untidy setts, their abandonment of old food items, and rusty-coloured hairs on wire and brambles.

6.6 Species found on site were checked against those listed in the Red Data Books (Batten et al., 1990, Bratton, 1991, Collar & Andrew, 1988, Lucas et al 1978, Perring & Farrell, 1983, Shirt, 1987, Wells et al. 1983, World Conservation Monitoring Centre, 1990.

6.7 Invertebrates were identified from various sources including Feltwell, 1984.

6.8 Bumblebees were identified from Feltwell, 2006.

7.0 RESULTS

Habitats

7.1 A Phase 1 Habitats Map is shown in Technical Appendix WM1.

7.2 Habitats on site (Technical Appendix WM2) comprise predominantly grasslands (98%) with a few isolated shrubs. There are no buildings on site, or woodlands, or any major trees.

7.3 There is a small length of hedgerow on Area C, but none on the Areas A or B.

7.4 The railway line that divides Area B from Area C has an overgrown and un-managed embankment that has some similarity to a hedgerow.

7.5 The curtilages that abut the dual-carriageway have a post-and-rail fence along which there are occasional shrubs such as elder, apple and occasional self-sown walnut.

7.6 There are no water bodies on site, such as ditches or stream and no sign of any permanent or temporary water bodies.

7.7 There are no buildings on site.

8.0 Results : Wildlife

8.1 Over 100 taxa of wildlife were found on site (Technical Appendix WM3).

Wildflowers



8.2 Forty-nine species of angiosperms (flowering plants) were recorded on site (Technical Appendix WM3).

8.3 Area A was typified by being mostly a grassland dominated by Arrhenatherum with large drifts of Solidago and Epilobium; sometimes with Plantago lanceolata, Trifolium and occasional Cirsium, Senecio and Hieracium. Patches of Centaurea by the dual-carriageway were punctuated by occasional Juglans and Anthriscus sylvestris.

8.4 Area B

being much smaller

has a tendency to be invaded by Rubus, Craetagus and Viburnum, thus expressing its calcareous soils.

8.5 Area B is the richest of the three sites, and it has plenty of Scabiosa, Centaurea and Hypericum growing in drifts. The soil is sparser on this site and towards the railway line the vegetation is patchy.

8.6 Area C is a grassland of Arrhenatherum with Rubus and Polygonum (introduced) around two sides.

Trees

8.7 There are no large trees on site. However, there are a number of small seedling trees developing on the edges of the site. These include walnut, one of which is present along the dual-carriageway fence of Area A. It has germinated into the field so there are currently about one dozen small walnut bushes growing up. There are many on the embankment of the A505 as well.

8.8 As for hedgerows there is only a small length of hedgerow in Area C separating a small parcel of land that goes southwards from the main body of the site.

8.9 There is a hedgerow adjacent to the site along the footpath to the east of Area C; this is off-site. Information on the protection of hedgerows is at Technical Appendix WM4.

9.0 Fauna

Mammals

9.1 Seven species of mammal were recorded on site including domestic cat and rats (plenty) that reflected adjacent human presence. There was no evidence of badgers on site. There was no evidence of badger faeces, latrines, push-unders and no characteristic hairs attached to brambles or barbed wire, and no D shaped holes found.

9.2 There was plenty of evidence to demonstrate the presence of fox on site, from smell, footprints in the soil, typical faeces and tracks in the grass.

9.3 Small mammals were restricted to Common vole and Common Shrew.



Mammals: Bats

9.4 There are no buildings on site which might harbour bats.

9.5 There are no old trees on site that might support bat roosts.

9.6 No evidence of bats roosting on site was found, though it is acknowledged that bats may be in the area (particularly pipistrelles roosting in the adjacent housing) and that bats may well use the fields to the north of the housing (including the site fields) for foraging.

Reptiles and amphibians

Reptiles

9.7 Common Lizard and Slow worm were seen on site, lizards in large numbers and slow worm just a single one seen.

9.8 Surveying for reptiles was carried out during summer and autumn 2008 and the data is presented in Report WM676 dated 11 May 2010.

9.9 A Method Statement to mitigate for the reptiles is presented in the above mentioned report.

9.10 No snakes were recorded during the reptile surveys.

Amphibians

9.11 There are no suitable water bodies on site in which amphibians might breed, i.e. there are no permanent ponds, ephemeral ponds, ditches or backwaters that might support amphibians.

9.12 There are no suitable terrestrial habitats (scrub and light woodland) on site that might be locations for newts when they are not breeding.

9.13 It is not thought likely that the site would be used for great crested newts either for breeding or for living in the terrestrial habitat since neither habitat is present, even if they occurred in the locality. A review of suitable water bodies within 500m of the site was not carried out including the extensive urban area to the south where there might be up to one in three households that can have ponds.

9.14 The reptile survey in 2008 did not reveal any evidence of amphibians on site. The survey involved placing 100 mats on site; these are the standard way of attracting cold blooded reptiles but the method can also (occasionally) attract Great Crested Newts (GCNs) (as occurred on another site that the author of this report has been working on).



9.15 At Royston the extensive coverage of the three areas with mats for reptiles did not reveal any newts of any species. This is fairly conclusive evidence that newts do not occur in the region, the reason being the complete lack of suitable habitat on site.

Birds

9.16 Thirteen species of bird were recorded from the three areas.

9.17 One species is on the RSPB s Red List; the skylark. Skylark was seen during 2005-2007, but not recorded in 2008. The reason was that the grass had grown long and the habitat it prefers had disappeared (short turf).

9.18 Three of these are on the RSPB s Amber list meaning that their populations have been declining nationally; these are Kestrel, Starling and Blackbird.

9.19 Buzzard was seen over the site in September 2008, but it did not land and may have been a bird of passage at the time.

Invertebrates

9.20 A range of invertebrates was recorded from all three areas.

9.21 Quite noticeable was Roesel s cricket. This, in previous years, had a restricted range, but it has now expanded its range through the UK. It was present in each of the three areas.

9.22 The new arrival to the UK, the Harlequin ladybird was also present on site.

10.0 Summary of wildlife importance

10.1 The three fields are grasslands of low nature conservation interest.

10.2 The presence of Common Lizards and Slow Worm along the margins of the three areas of the site elevates those marginal parts of the site up to being of medium wildlife interest.

11.0 Adjacency to statutory ecological sites

11.1 Adjacency to important international sites (SPAs, SACs, Ramsars, WHSs) is now an important planning matter, and being more than 5km from them is sometimes helpful.

11.2 There are no international sites within 5km of the site.

11.3 The nearest SAC is Eversden and Wimpole Woods SAC about 10km to the north of the site.



11.4 With regard to LPA managed nature reserves the only one nearest to the site is the Therfield Heath SSSI which doubles up as the Therfield Heath LNR.

12.0 SSSIs

12.1 The nearest SSSI is Holland Hall (Melbourn) Railway Cutting SSSI which is about 90m from Area B to the north, on the north side of the A505. This is a man-made linear SSSI either side of the railway line that separates Areas B and C.

12.2 Holland Hall (Melbourn) Railway Cutting SSSI is important for lowland calcareous grassland on the railway cutting. According to the latest status of the SSSI it would appear to be somewhat overgrown with ragwort invasion (Natural England s Nature on the Map webside accessed 14 October 2008) .. Network rail are keen to undertake remedial management on this site.. The condition of this SSSI is unfavourable no change as last assessed on 7 August 2007.

12.3 There is another SSSI about 2km from the site in the south-west of Royston called Therfield Heath SSSI. It lies just outside the parish of Royston.

12.4 Both Therfield Heath SSSI and Therfield Heath LNR are sufficiently well away from the site that it is thought unlikely that the development would have any adverse environmental affects on the SSSIs.

13.0 Biodiversity considerations and recommendations

13.1 With regard to biodiversity considerations the nearest areas that Natural England wish to see improved are the above Therfield Heath and another area over 5km from the site to the north-east. This information is gleaned from Nature on the Map website of Natural England. No specific measures are ear-marked for the site in question.

13.2 With regard to any BAP species present on site, a sighting of a slow worm was had in Area B. This is a BAP species, and its interests will be taken into consideration with the reptile mitigation proposed.

13.3 Lizards and slow worms are named species in the local biodiversity action plan (Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust, 1998 'A 50 year vision for the wildlife and natural habitats of Hertfordshire.). The appropriate mitigation to conserve the reptiles should proceed prior to any works taking place and according to the Method Statement.

13.4 A 'Landscape Strategy' for the site prepared by MCA Mark Cooper Associates (dated July 2009) would assist with enhancements with reliance on native tree and shrub species. This will include pollen, nectar and berry-bearing species.



13.5 Bat boxes, and Bird boxes for house sparrows should be erected on houses, and swift boxes should be fixed to north and east facing aspects of the three storey buildings.

13.6 If the above recommendations are implemented there should be an ecological gain from the overall development.

Acronyms BAP Biodiversity Action Plan LNR Local Nature Reserve NBN National Biodiversity Network NNR National Nature Reserve Ramsar An international wetland site; a place in Iran where the wetland conference was held SAC Special Area of Conservation SPA Special Protection Area SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest WHS World Heritage Site



Technical Appendix WM1

Phase 1 Habitat Survey, as approved by the Nature Conservancy Council (then became English Nature, now Natural England). From Handbook for Phase 1 habitat survey, A technique for environmental audit. NCC, 1990. p.78. Scale: This is a diagram and not to scale. North is to the top of the page.

Key: Red line outline of curtilage Black buildings Yellow amenity grasslands = lawns Brown (hatched) ornamental plantings Green line (beaded) hedgerows White spaces car-parks and hard-standings SI Semi-Improved grassland I Improved grassland

Reproduction under Licence AL 50016A from Ordnance Survey, Southampton, for Wildlife Matters Consultancy Unit. The Copyright in the material remains with Ordnance Survey




Habitats on site

Area A as seen from the middle looking south-westwards

Area B looking from the west

Area C looking from the north-west corner



Technical Appendix WM2, continued

Habitats on site

Habitats immediately adjacent to the site

The hedgerow adjacent to Area C, looking south down path

View along shared curtilage of Area C with the A505, with no barrier (now re-instated)



Technical Appendix WM2, continued

Habitats on site

Habitats immediately adjacent to the site

The dual-carriage way (A505) from Area C



Appendix WM3 Flora and Fauna

Table 1. Angiosperms

Key: The relative abundance of species is recorded according to the DAFOR scale, where D = dominant, A = Abundant, F = Frequent, O = Occasional and R = Rare. Rare does not necessarily imply a protected species.

SPECIFIC NAME COMMON NAME DAFOR

RATING NOTES

Acer campestris Maple, Field R Anthriscus sylvestris Parsley, Cow A Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley R Arabidopsis thaliana Thanet cress O Arrhenatherum elatius False-oat grass C Barbarea sp. Wintercress R Bromus diandrus Grass, Great Brome R Centaurea nigra Knapweed F Centaurium erythraea Centaury, Common O Cirsium arvense Thistle, creeping O Cornus sanguinea Dogwood O A, B Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn A Epilobium sp. Willowherb O Euphorbia peplus Spurge, Petty R Fumaria sp. Fumitory O Galium aparine Goose Grass F Gernium rotundifolium Geranium, Round-leaved R Heracleum spondylium Hogweed 0 Hieraceum vulgarum Hawkweed O Holcus lanatus Grass, Yorkshire fog A Hypericum perforatum St John s wort O B only Juglans regia Walnut O A only Lamium album Deadnettle, White O Ligustrum sp. Privet O Ornamental Linaria sp. Toadflax O Lonicera sp. Honeysuckle R Ornamental Malus domestica Apple R Escapee Malva sp. Mallow O Medicago lupulina Medick, Black O Papaver rhoeas Poppy R A only Plantago lanceolata Plantain, Greater O Poa annua Grass, Meadow F Ranunculus ficaria Lesser Celandine O Reseda lutea Mignonette, Wild R B only Rubus complex Blackberry A Rumex sp. Dock O Scabiosa sp. Scabious O B only Senecio jacobaea Ragwort O Solidago virgaurea Goldenrod O A only Sonchus asper Sow-thistle, Prickly O Sorbus domestica Ash, Mountain O B only Taraxacum officinalis Dandelion O Tragopogon porrifolius Salsify R B only Trifolium repens Clover, White O



Tussilago farfara Colt s Foot O B only Urtica dioica Stinging Nettle F Veronica sp. Speedwell O B only Viburnum lanata Wayfaring Tree R Viola sp, Violet, Wild R B only

Table 2 Birds recorded on site

Latin / Specific Name Common English Name Observations Alauda arvensis Skylark RSPB Red list species Apus apus Swift Migrant, overhead Buteo buteo Buzzard Flew over Carduelis chloris Greenfinch Columba palumbus Woodpigeon Corvus corone Crow Corvus frugilegus Rook Falco tinnunculus Kestrel RSPB s Amber List * BDM Fringilla coelebs Chaffinch Motacilla alba Wagtail, Pied Passer domestica Sparrow, House Sturnus vulgaris Starling RSPB s Amber List * BDM Turdus merula Blackbird RSPB s Amber List * BDM

*RSPB s Amber List Medium Conservation Concern.

BDM = moderate decline (25-49%) decline in UK breeding population or range over the previous 25 years.

(from: Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, 1996. Birds of Conservation Concern in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, leaflet.)



Table 3 Mammals

Latin / Specific Name Common English Name

Observations

Erinaceus europaeus Hedgehog Seen faeces Felis domestica Cat Microtus arvalis Vole, Common Mus musculus House Mouse Rattus norvegicus Rat, Brown Sorex araneus Shrew, Common Vulpes vulpes Fox

Table 4 Reptiles and amphibians

Latin / Specific Name Common English Name

Observations

Lacerta vivipara Lizard, Common On A,B, & C Anguis fragilis Slow worm On B

Table 5 Invertebrates

CLASS INSECTA ORDER ODONATA (DRAGONFLIES and DAMSELFLIES) Latin / Specific Name Common English

Name Observations

None seen

CLASS INSECTA ORDER ORTHOPTERA (GRASSHOPPERS AND CRICKETS) Latin / Specific Name Common English

Name Observations

Chorippus parallelus Grasshopper, Meadow Metrioptera roeselii Roesel s cricket In A, B and C

CLASS INSECTA ORDER (HEMIPTERA) TRUE BUGS and HOMOPTERA (Aphids etc) Latin / Specific Name Common English

Name Observations

Aelia acuminata Bishops Mitre bug Abundant Amblytylus nasutus Mirid, Capsid Bug Common Coreus marginata Coreid bug On dock

CLASS INSECTA ORDER LEPIDOPTERA (BUTTERFLIES and MOTHS) Latin / Specific Name Common English

Name Observations

Aglais urticae Small Tortoiseshell butterfly Anthocharis cardamines Orange tip butterfly Male on wing Aphantopus hyperantus Ringlet B only Lycaena phaeus Small Copper One only in A



Pieris brassicae Large white butterfly Pieris rapae Small White Butterfly Piers napi Green-veined white butterfly Polygonia c-album Comma In Sept on blackberries Polyommatus icarus Blue, Common B only Vanessa cardui Painted lady A only but migrant

CLASS INSECTA ORDER DIPTERA (TRUE FLIES) Latin / Specific Name Common English

Name Observations

Calliphora vomitoria Bluebottle Lucilia caesar Greenbottle Musca domestica Housefly Sarcophaga carniaria Fly, Flesh Syrphus ribesii Hoverfly Tipula sp. Tipulid craneflies Common

CLASS INSECTA ORDER HYMENOPTERA (BEES, WASPS, ANTS) Latin / Specific Name Common English

Name Observations

Apis mellifera Honeybee Bombus pascuorum Bumblebee Bombus terrestris Bumblebee Diplolepis rosae Robin s pincushion Vespula sp. Wasp

CLASS INSECTA ORDER COLEOPTERA (BEETLES) Latin / Specific Name Common English

Name Observations

Carabus sp. Carabid beetle Coccinella 7-punctata Ladybird beetle, Seven spot Harmonia axyridis Ladybird, Harlequin New arrival in the UK

OTHER ARTHROPODS

CLASS MOLLUSCA (SLUGS AND SNAILS) Latin / Specific Name Common English

Name Observations

Helix aspersa Snail, Garden Cepaea nemoralis Snail, Brown Ringed

CLASS CHILOPODA CENTIPEDES Latin / Specific Name Common English

Name Observations

Lithobius forficatus Centipede

CLASS CRUSTACEA (Woodlice etc). Latin / Specific Name Common English

Name Observations

Oniscus asellus Woodlouse



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Hedgerow Regulations Protected Hedgerows Legislation

All old hedgerows on sites are legally protected under UK law, under The Hedgerow Regulations 1997. Old is defined as anything over 30 years old. This means it is an offence to remove a hedgerow that is older than 30 years. This applies to all hedgerows that are over 20m in length. Gaps are treated as part of a hedgerow. Hedgerows within the curtilage of a dwelling-house are exempt.

In effect, most hedgerows in town and country have been in existence for over 30 years. Therefore it is imperative to plan for the conservation of existing hedgerows on development sites and work around them.

Hedgerows and Ditches Legislation Hedgerows are often associated with ditches. For legal clarification, ditches are usually on the outer side of the hedge in respect of the site (when the adjacent site is in another ownership), or inside the hedgerow where the next site is in the same ownership. In the latter case, the curtilage would be down the middle of the hedgerow. In reality, hedgerow interpretation is not that simple. If in doubt, conserve it or seek professional ecological advice.

Hedgerow dating Hedgerow dating is a very quick and easy method that can be carried out at any time of the year. It relies on the number of woody species present on average over 30 yard lengths. Five woody species would be 500 years to a certain statistical margin (Pollard et al, 1974). Hedgerows on parish boundaries are often the oldest hedgerows.

Hedgerows, Green Corridors and TPO Legislation

Hedgerows are regarded as being important in the environment as they link up other habitats, such as woods and copses, and as such are recognised as green corridors, or linear nature reserves for wildlife. They are often protected through local plans, and local biodiversity action plans. Hedgerows may also be protected as Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) since they are made up of trees (even though there are no tall trees evident).

Tall hedges, especially Leylandii Hedges

The Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 came into force following its Royal Assent on 20 November 2003. Part 8 of the Act gives Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) the power to deal with complaints about high hedges. It will be fully implemented during 2004.

It will be prudent to cut any tall hedges, including Leylandii hedges, on site back to statutory limits, or remove them altogether, only during September-January inclusive.

There are calculations relating to how low hedges (front, side, back..) should be cut in relation to neighbour s views. If in doubt, seek professional ecological advice.

References and Further Information

Department of the Environment, 1997a. The Hedgerows Regulations 1997, 1997 No., 1160. 16pp.

Department of the Environment, 1997b. The Hedgerows Regulations Your Questions Answered. Leaflet.

Pollard, E. Hooper, M.D. & Moore, N.W. 1974. Hedges. The New Naturalist, London, Collins.



Version chronology

Version Date Report Description

Change Prepared by

WM567 20 Oct 08 Phase 1 Habitats Survey First draft Dr. John Feltwell

WM567.1 12 March 09 Phase 1 Habitats Survey update Dr. John Feltwell

WM676 11 May 10 Phase 1 Habitats Survey update Dr. John Feltwell

COPYRIGHT 2010

The contents of this document must not be copied or reproduced in whole or part without the written consent of Wildlife Matters. All images in this report are © John Feltwell / Wildlife Matters, unless otherwise stated, e.g. © Ordnance Survey.

All plans are based on Ordnance Survey Maps with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office Crown Copyright: Wildlife Matters, Marlham, Henley's Down, Battle, East Sussex, TN33 9BN (OS Number AL50016A).

ends

WM676 Phase 1 - consultation-online.co.ukconsultation-online.co.uk/UserFiles/royston/WM676 Phase 1.pdf · Wildlife Matters Consultancy Unit, Report WM676 Phase 1 11 May 2010 1 Royston,

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