Commercial in Confidence Leekbrook Invertebrate Walkover Survey Report Moorland & City Railways December 2013 Leekbrook Development Commercial in Confidence 29 November 2013 Quality Management Quality Management Job No.: CS/067245-02 Project: Proposed Residential Housing Development, Leekbrook Location: Leekbrook, Staffordshire Title: Invertebrate Walkover Survey Report Document Ref.: Invertebrate Report Issue / Revision: 03 File Reference: Leekbrook Development Invertebrate Report Clients Amends_Rev 3 DW.docx Date: 18th October 2013 Colin Plant Prepared by: Signature (for file): Associate Entomologist Neil Page MCIEEM Prepared by: Signature (for file): Ecologist Glen Shah MCIEEM Checked by 1: Signature (for file): Senior Environmental Consultant Tabatha Boniface MCIEEM Authorised by: Signature (for file): Principal Ecologist Revision Status / History Rev Date Issue / Purpose/ Comment Prepared Checked Authorised 02 12.11.13 Clients review NCP DW TB 03 29.11.13 Clients review DW DW DW Leekbrook Development Commercial in Confidence 14 October 2013 Contents Contents 1. Summary 2 2. Introduction 3 2.1 Background 3 2.2 Site Location 3 2.3 Planning Policy 3 2.4 Biodiversity Policy 4 3. Methods 5 3.1 Survey & Report Objectives 5 3.2 Desk Study 5 3.3 Walkover Survey 5 3.4 Survey Constraints 5 3.5 Personnel & Quality Assurance 6 4. Results 7 4.1 Site Description 7 4.2 Desk Study 7 4.3 Habitat Appraisal 8 4.4 Walkover Survey 10 5. Interpretation & Recommendations 11 5.1 Interpretation 11 5.2 Recommendations 11 Figures Figure 1: The Site Boundary 3 Tables Table 1: SERC Species Records 8 Table 2: Invertebrate Species Recorded On Site 10 i Leekbrook Development Commercial in Confidence 14 October 2013 1/ Summary 1. Summary Capita Ecologists were commissioned by Moorland & City Railways to undertake an initial invertebrate survey for an area of undeveloped land on the former Leekbrook Railway Junctions site, Staffordshire. The survey was commissioned as part of a wider feasibility study in relation to the potential future development of the site. The site includes a range of habitats capable of supporting invertebrate assemblages and a number of invertebrate species were observed on site during the course of the habitat and invertebrate surveys. Based upon data acquired to date, it is believed that the habitats and species recorded do not constitute a constraint to the development of the site. The open mosaic habitat situated in the west of the site constitutes the most valuable habitat for invertebrates. The transitional zones that exist between the tall and short areas of vegetation on site have the potential to support a large, diverse range of invertebrate species. In addition, due to the potential overlap of supporting habitats present upon abutting land, the open (western) area of the site has the potential to provide an important foraging resource for saproxylic invertebrates. If this is the case, the value of the site would increase. The loss of vegetation that would occur as a result of the proposed development would result in the loss of habitat upon which the invertebrate species presently rely. Furthermore, in combination with the recent clearance of neighbouring land, the clearance of the site would create a definitive break in the habitat network present along the River Churnet. This has the potential to reduce and fragment the amount of suitable habitat available within the wider area. Recommendations relating to site management practice, potential mitigation measures and further surveys are detailed within Section 5 of this report. 2 Leekbrook Development Commercial in Confidence 14 October 2013 2/ Introduction 2. Introduction 2.1 Background Capita Ecologists, Blackburn, were commissioned by Moorland & City Railways in July 2013 to undertake an Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey of a site in Leekbrook, Staffordshire. The site has been identified for a potential residential housing development and the Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey was commissioned as part of a wider feasibility study in order to establish the ecological baseline conditions at the site. Based on the results of the Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey and a review of previous consultation data, a number of further ecology surveys were recommended. One of these was an invertebrate walkover survey. This report details the aims, methodology and findings of this walkover. It also includes advice, interpretation (of the results) and recommendations in relation to invertebrates. 2.2 Site Location The Leekbrook Junction site (hereafter referred to as ‘the site’) is a triangular area of disused land approximately 2.9 km to the south of the Town of Leek, Staffordshire (Grid Ref.: SJ 398179 354102). Figure 1: The Site Boundary 2.3 Planning Policy In March 2012, the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was published and replaced the previous Planning Policy Statement 9 (PPS9), although the guidance document ‘Planning for Biodiversity and Geological Conservation: A Guide to Good Practice’ (ODPM 06/2005) was not replaced by the Framework. The NPPF promotes plan-making and decision-taking with a presumption in favour of sustainable development. Sustainable development is achieved where developments are designed to address the mutually dependent threads of sustainability: economic, social and environmental needs. In terms of biodiversity, sustainable development should not only achieve no net loss of biodiversity, but incorporate proposals that achieve net gains for nature alongside the other social and economic needs of society. 3 Leekbrook Development Commercial in Confidence 14 October 2013 2/ Introduction Protected sites and species are a material consideration in determining planning applications. Therefore, all information relating to protected sites and species must be submitted with planning submissions for determination of the whole application. The NPPF promotes the approval of plans where applications can demonstrate that they are in accordance with up-to- date local plans and have addressed material considerations. In accordance with the Staffordshire Moorlands Local Plan (1998), Policy N3: Infilling within the Greenbelt, Policy N15: Nature Conservation Sites and Policy H14: Meeting Housing Demand are local policies that are relevant to the site. 2.4 Biodiversity Policy Section 41 (S41) of the Natural Environment & Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006 requires the Secretary of State to publish a list of habitats and species that are of principal importance for the conservation of biodiversity in England. This constitutes an up-to-date list of Habitats of Principal Importance and Species of Principal Importance that require action in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) and is used as a guide to decision makers, such as pubic bodies and including planning authorities, to implement their duty of having regard to biodiversity when carrying out their functions. Local BAPs have also been written and adopted to develop plans for species of nature conservation importance at regional and local levels. The Ecosystem Action Plans (EAPs), formerly the Moorlands Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), covers the area surrounding Leekbrook. The action plans that are considered to be relevant to the site include the following: Deadwood Beetles Species Action Plan; Ground-nesting Solitary Bees & Wasps Species Action Plan; Native Woodland Habitat Plan; River, Stream & Canals Habitat Action Plan; Urban Habitat Action Plan; V-Moth Macaria wauaria Species Action Plan; Wall Lasiommata megera Species Action Plan; White Letter Hairstreak Satyrium w-album Species Action Plan. 4 Leekbrook Development Commercial in Confidence 14 October 2013 3/ Methods 3. Methods 3.1 Survey & Report Objectives The objectives of the invertebrate walkover and this report are to: Establish an initial ecological baseline at the site in relation to invertebrate species and to form an initial impression of the site’s importance for local invertebrate assemblages; Obtain sufficient field data to be able to advise whether a more detailed invertebrate survey is required; Advise whether the proposed development of the site would result in adverse impacts (if any) upon the invertebrate species present; Recommend site management practices intended to increase the site’s biodiversity value for invertebrates and/or appropriate mitigation measures (if required) intended to offset/reduce potential adverse impacts; and Inform the planning process. 3.2 Desk Study The desk study involved a review of the existing survey data that was available at that time, a review of online resources and a consultation exercise with the local records centre. Species records pertaining to invertebrates within a 2 km radius of the site boundary were requested from the local Staffordshire Ecological Record Centre (SERC). The aim of the desk study was to establish the presence and distribution of invertebrates both on the site and within the surrounding area in order to support the subsequent walkover survey. 3.3 Walkover Survey The walkover was undertaken on 20th September 2013 and its purpose was to appraise the habitats present in terms of their ability to support and sustain invertebrates. It was not the intention to obtain a definitive list of the invertebrate species present during the walkover, but a sample of those species observed species were recorded. The survey methods used included sweep-netting and active searches. The sweep-netting involved passing a 16” diameter net both over bare ground and through low-level vegetation.