2.23 Volume 2, Chapter 23 Terrestrial ecology and nature conservation Rampion 2 PEIR. Volume 2, Chapter 23: Terrestrial ecology and nature conservation 1 © Wood Group UK Limited Contents 23. Terrestrial ecology and nature conservation 5 23.1 Introduction 5 23.2 Relevant legislation, policy and other information and guidance 7 Introduction 7 Legislation and national planning policy 7 Local planning policy 14 Other relevant information and guidance 14 23.3 Consultation and engagement 15 Overview 15 Scoping opinion 15 Evidence Plan Process (EPP) 22 Informal consultation and further engagement 23 23.4 Methodology for baseline data gathering 25 Overview 25 Study area 26 Desk study 27 Remote sensing 32 Field surveys 33 Data limitations 38 23.5 Baseline conditions 39 Current baseline 39 23.6 Scope of the assessment 59 Overview 59 Temporal scope 87 Future baseline 87 23.7 Basis for PEIR assessment 88 Maximum design scenario 88 23.8 Embedded environmental measures 91 23.9 Methodology for PEIR assessment 101 Introduction 101 23.10 Preliminary assessment 104 Introduction 104 Assessment of terrestrial ecology and nature conservation effects – The Arun Valley Ramsar site 104 Assessment of terrestrial ecology and nature conservation effects – The Arun Valley SPA 107 Assessment of terrestrial ecology and nature conservation effects – The Mens SAC 108 Assessment of terrestrial ecology and nature conservation effects – Amberley Wild Brooks SSSI / Pulborough Brooks SSSI 110 Assessment of effects – Arun Valley: Watersfield to Arundel LWS 111 Rampion 2 PEIR. Volume 2, Chapter 23: Terrestrial ecology and nature conservation 2 © Wood Group UK Limited Assessment of terrestrial ecology and nature conservation effects – Warningcamp to New Down LWS 112 Assessment of terrestrial ecology and nature conservation effects – Veteran Trees 113 Assessment of terrestrial ecology and nature conservation effects – Semi-natural broadleaved woodland 114 Assessment of effects – Calcareous semi-improved grassland 115 Assessment of terrestrial ecology and nature conservation effects – Native Hedgerows (species rich and species poor) 116 Assessment of effects – Standing water (ponds and permanently wet ditches) 117 Assessment of terrestrial ecology and nature conservation effects – streams 118 Assessment of terrestrial ecology and nature conservation effects – Badgers 119 Assessment of terrestrial ecology and nature conservation effects – Bats 120 Assessment of terrestrial ecology and nature conservation effects – Hazel Dormouse 121 Assessment of terrestrial ecology and nature conservation effects – Great crested newt 122 Assessment of terrestrial ecology and nature conservation effects – Common toad 123 Assessment of terrestrial ecology and nature conservation effects – Reptiles 124 Assessment of terrestrial ecology and nature conservation effects – Breeding birds 124 Assessment of terrestrial ecology and nature conservation effects – Wintering birds 125 Assessment of terrestrial ecology and nature conservation effects – Water vole 128 Assessment of terrestrial ecology and nature conservation effects – Fish 128 Assessment of terrestrial ecology and nature conservation effects – Terrestrial and Aquatic Invertebrates 129 23.11 Preliminary assessment: Cumulative effects 129 Approach 129 Cumulative effects assessment 130 23.12 Transboundary effects 132 23.13 Inter-related effects 132 23.14 Summary of residual effects 134 23.15 Further work to be undertaken for ES 136 Introduction 136 Baseline 136 Assessment 136 Consultation and engagement 137 Environmental measures 137 23.16 Glossary of terms and abbreviations 138 23.17 References 146 Table 23-1 Legislation relevant to terrestrial ecology and nature conservation 7 Table 23-2 National planning policy relevant to terrestrial ecology and nature conservation 10 Rampion 2 PEIR. Volume 2, Chapter 23: Terrestrial ecology and nature conservation 3 © Wood Group UK Limited Table 23-3 PINS Scoping Opinion responses – terrestrial ecology and nature conservation 15 Table 23-4 Data gathered during the desk study 27 Table 23-5 Data sources used to inform the terrestrial ecology and nature conservation PEIR assessment 30 Table 23-6 Remote sensing data collection 33 Table 23-7 Site survey programme and status of surveys that commenced in 2020 34 Table 23-8 International/European sites designated for nature conservation 40 Table 23-9 Nationally designated sites for nature conservation 42 Table 23-10 Non-statutory sites designated for nature conservation 45 Table 23-11 HPI and ancient woodland identified during the desk study 48 Table 23-12 Defining Importance of Ecological Features 60 Table 23-13 Terrestrial ecology and nature conservation scoping assessment 65 Table 23-14 Maximum assessment assumptions for impacts on terrestrial ecology and nature conservation 89 Table 23-15 Relevant terrestrial ecology and nature conservation embedded environmental measures 91 Table 23-16 Guidelines for the assessment of the scale of magnitude 102 Table 23-17 Wintering bird survey results (inside and within 500m of the onshore part of the PEIR Assessment Boundary) 125 Table 23-18 Developments to be considered as part of the CEA 130 Table 23-19 Cumulative Project Design Envelope for terrestrial ecology and nature conservation 131 Table 23-20 Inter-related effects assessment for terrestrial ecology and nature conservation 132 Table 23-21 Summary of preliminary assessment of residual effects 134 Table 23-22 Further consultation and engagement 137 Table 23-23 Further environmental measures 137 Table 23-24 Glossary of terms and abbreviations 138 Volume 3: Figures Figure 23.1a-c Terrestrial Ecology and Nature Conservation Study Area Figure 23.2 Data coverage provision from Sussex Ornithological Society Figure 23.3a-e Remote sensing habitat classification Figure 23.4a-g Amalgamated habitat classification Figure 23.5 International/National Site Network sites within the relevant Area of Search Figure 23.6 Location of SSSIs within the relevant Area of Search Figure 23.7 Location of non-statutory sites within the relevant Area of Search Figure 23.8a-b Location of Habitats of Principal Importance Figure 23.9a-b Location of ancient woodland within the relevant Area of Search Figure 23.10a-c Phase 1 habitat map Figure 23.11a-b Waterbodies within the relevant Area of Search Figure 23.12 Records of bats within the relevant Area of Search Figure 23.13 Location of bat activity surveys undertaken in 2020 Figure 23.14 Lapwing breeding locations Rampion 2 PEIR. Volume 2, Chapter 23: Terrestrial ecology and nature conservation 4 © Wood Group UK Limited Figure 23.15 Records of legally protected and notable herptiles within the relevant Area of Search Figure 23.16 Records of legally protected and notable mammals (excluding bats) within the relevant Area of Search Figure 23.17 Location of dormouse survey activity undertaken in 2020 Figure 23.18 Terrestrial ecology and nature conservation Zone of Influence Volume 4: Appendices Appendix 23.1: Policy and legislation tables Appendix 23.2: Terrestrial ecology desk study Appendix 23.3: Onshore winter bird report 2020-2021 Rampion 2 PEIR. Volume 2, Chapter 23: Terrestrial ecology and nature conservation 5 © Wood Group UK Limited 23. Terrestrial ecology and nature conservation 23.1 Introduction This chapter of the Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR) presents the preliminary results of the assessment of the likely significant effects of Rampion 2 with respect to terrestrial ecology and nature conservation, including habitats and legally protected and notable1 species above mean high water springs (MHWS)2. It should be read in conjunction with the project description provided in Chapter 4: The Proposed Development and the relevant parts of the following chapters: ⚫ Chapter 9: Benthic, subtidal and intertidal ecology (due to the intersections of habitats at MHWS); ⚫ Chapter 12: Offshore ornithology (due to the presence of bird species that use marine, intertidal and terrestrial habitats); ⚫ Chapter 20: Air quality (due to the potential for emissions and dust associated with the Proposed Development to negatively affect habitats, flora and fauna); ⚫ Chapter 21: Soils and agriculture (due to the potential overlap between priority habitats such as calcareous grassland and soil type); ⚫ Chapter 22: Noise and vibration (due to the potential for fauna to be disturbed or displaced by noise and vibration associated with the Proposed Development); ⚫ Chapter 25: Ground conditions (due to some designated sites having both ecological and geological aspects to their designation): and; ⚫ Chapter 27: Water environment (due to the close association between ecological features and local hydrology). This chapter describes: ⚫ the legislation, planning policy and other documentation that has informed the assessment (Section 23.2: Relevant legislation, planning policy, and other information and guidance); ⚫ the outcome of consultation and engagement that has been undertaken to date, including how matters relating to terrestrial ecology and nature conservation within the Scoping Opinion received in August 2020 have been addressed (Section 23.3: Consultation and engagement); 1 Notable species are those with conservation designations (e.g. birds that appear on the red or amber list of the Birds of Conservation Concern or invertebrates listed in relevant Red Data Books), but no specific legal protection. 2 Habitats and species within intertidal and marine habitats are considered in Chapter 14: Nature conservation. Rampion 2 PEIR. Volume 2,