1 Totteridge Common, Greater London Preliminary
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
1 TOTTERIDGE COMMON, GREATER LONDON PRELIMINARY ECOLOGICAL APPRAISAL A Report to: Gregory Phillips Architects Report No: RT-MME-150180-01 Rev B Date: September 2020 Triumph House, Birmingham Road, Allesley, Coventry CV5 9AZ Tel: 01676 525880 Fax: 01676 521400 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.middlemarch-environmental.com 1 Totteridge Common, Greater London RT-MME-150180-01 Rev B Preliminary Ecological Appraisal REPORT VERIFICATION AND DECLARATION OF COMPLIANCE This study has been undertaken in accordance with British Standard 42020:2013 “Biodiversity, Code of practice for planning and development”. Report Date Completed by: Checked by: Approved by: Version Jacob Kench (Ecological Consultant) BSc (Hons) Dr Philip Fermor Colin Bundy MCIEEM Final 24/10/2019 and Thomas Kenny CEnv MCIEEM (Associate Director) (Ecological Project (Managing Director) Assistant) Paul Roebuck Dr Philip Fermor Jacob Kench (Ecological Rev A 05/12/2019 MCIEEM (South East CEnv MCIEEM Consultant) BSc (Hons) Manager) (Managing Director) Paul Roebuck Tom Docker CEcol Jacob Kench (Ecological Rev B 03/09/2020 MCIEEM (South East MCIEEM Consultant) BSc (Hons) Manager) (Managing Director) The information which we have prepared is true, and has been prepared and provided in accordance with 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. DISCLAIMER The contents of this report are the responsibility of Middlemarch Environmental Ltd. It should be noted that, whilst every effort is made to meet the client’s brief, no site investigation can ensure complete assessment or prediction of the natural environment. Middlemarch Environmental Ltd 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. VALIDITY OF DATA The findings of this study are valid for a period of 24 months from the date of survey. If works have not commenced by this date, an updated site visit should be carried out by a suitably qualified ecologist to assess any changes in the habitats present on site, and to inform a review of the conclusions and recommendations made. Middlemarch Environmental Ltd. Page 1 1 Totteridge Common, Greater London RT-MME-150180-01 Rev B Preliminary Ecological Appraisal NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY Middlemarch Environmental Ltd was commissioned by Gregory Phillips Architects to carry out a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal at the 1 Totteridge Common, London. To fulfil this brief an ecological desk study and a walkover survey (in accordance with Phase 1 Habitat Survey methodology) were undertaken. The ecological desk study revealed no European statutory sites within a 5 km radius of the survey area, one UK Statutory site within a 2 km radius of the survey area and five Non-Statutory sites within a 1 km radius of the survey area. The site is not located within 10 km of a statutory site designated for bats. The desk study also identified the following species within a 1 km radius: bats, mammals, amphibians, birds and invertebrates. The walkover survey was undertaken on 24th July 2019 by Jacob Kench (Ecological Consultant). 1 Totteridge Common is a residential plot location in Barnet, North London. The plot was centered around grid reference TQ 24115 94309 and measured approximately 1.0 ha in size. The plot comprised a residential bungalow within the north of the site and a second smaller bungalow to the north-east. The two properties were surrounded by some hardstanding walkways and car parking made up of gravel and stone with large gardens extending to the south. The gardens were dominated by amenity grassland with introduced shrub beds and scattered trees spread across the site. A large pond was present to the south of the site, the water level was low at the time of the survey. In order to ensure compliance with wildlife legislation and relevant planning policy, the following recommendations are made: • Habitat Retention and Protection: The development proposals should be designed (where feasible) to allow for the retention of existing notable habitats including trees, hedgerows, woodland, log piles and compost heaps. • Biodiversity Enhancement: In accordance with the provision of Chapter 15 of the National Planning Policy Framework (Conserving and Enhancing the Natural Environment) and Local Planning Policy, biodiversity enhancement measures should be incorporated into the landscaping scheme of any proposed development to work towards delivering net gains for biodiversity. • Foraging Bats: In accordance with best practice guidance relating to lighting and biodiversity (Miles et al, 2018; Gunnell et al, 2012), any new lighting should be carefully designed to minimise potential disturbance and fragmentation impacts on sensitive receptors, such as bat species. • Terrestrial Mammals including Badger and Hedgehog: Any excavations that need to be left overnight should be covered or fitted with mammal ramps to ensure that any animals that enter can safely escape. Any open pipework with an outside diameter of greater than 120 mm must be covered at the end of each work day to prevent animals entering/becoming trapped. • Nesting Birds: Vegetation and building clearance should be undertaken outside the nesting bird season. The nesting bird season is weather dependent but generally extends between March and September inclusive (peak period March-August). • Herpetofauna: A Herpetofauna Reasonable Avoidance Method Statement should be produced, detailing current status of Herpetofauna on site and protection measures which should be taken for site works. The clearance of suitable reptile and amphibian habitat within the works area should be undertaken under the supervision of an experienced ecologist. This will involve the clearance of vegetation in a directional manner to allow any herpetofauna to disperse and careful removal of any refugia. • Standing Water: The small pond should be drained under the supervision of a suitably qualified ecologist to ensure no harm to any common amphibians that may be present as written in the Herpetofauna Reasonable Avoidance Method Statement. Any amphibians found should be moved carefully to an undisturbed location in the near vicinity whilst any fish should be re-located to a suitable waterbody. Excavation of plants, debris or rubble from the pond should be undertaken sensitively and stored at the pond edge for a period of 24 hours to allow any amphibians to disperse. • Stag Beetle: If possible, the development proposals should be designed to allow for the retention of the existing deadwood habitat. If retention is not possible the clearance of suitable stag beetle habitat, namely the deadwood tree stump and log piles, should be undertaken under the supervision of an experienced ecologist and the deadwood should be relocated on site Middlemarch Environmental Ltd. Page 2 1 Totteridge Common, Greater London RT-MME-150180-01 Rev B Preliminary Ecological Appraisal CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................ 4 1.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND ........................................................................................................................ 4 1.2 SITE DESCRIPTION AND CONTEXT .......................................................................................................... 4 1.3 DOCUMENTATION PROVIDED .................................................................................................................. 4 2. METHODOLOGIES.................................................................................................................................... 5 2.1 DESK STUDY ......................................................................................................................................... 5 2.2 PHASE 1 HABITAT SURVEY ..................................................................................................................... 5 3. LEGISLATION AND POLICY .................................................................................................................... 6 3.1 GENERAL BIODIVERSITY LEGISLATION AND POLICY ................................................................................. 6 3.2 NATIONAL PLANNING POLICY FRAMEWORK AND PRACTICE GUIDANCE ..................................................... 7 3.3 LOCAL PLANNING POLICY ..................................................................................................................... 12 4. DESK STUDY RESULTS ........................................................................................................................ 15 4.1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................... 15 4.2 NATURE CONSERVATION SITES ............................................................................................................ 15 4.3 PROTECTED / NOTABLE SPECIES .......................................................................................................... 17 4.4 INVASIVE SPECIES ................................................................................................................................ 18 5. PHASE 1 HABITAT SURVEY ................................................................................................................. 20 5.1