Ecology and Protected Species Survey Stable Block at South Lodge Farm Ropsley Lincolnshire

Ecology and Protected Species Survey Stable block at South Lodge Farm Ropsley Lincolnshire

Issued to: John Fowkes John Fowkes Architects Old Blacksmith’s Main Street Buckminster Grantham NG33 5SA

NOVEMBER 2019

Malham, Washdyke Lane, Kirton Meeres, Boston, Lincolnshire PE20 1PW T: 01205 723342 M: 07833 674500 E: [email protected] W: www.inspiredecology.co.uk Company registration number: 8087266 VAT registration number: 994957340

Buildings at South Lodge Farm, Ropsley November 2019

ECOLOGY AND PROTECTED SPECIES SURVEY STABLE BLOCK AT SOUTH LODGE FARM, ROPSLEY, LINCOLNSHIRE

Report to: John Fowkes John Fowkes Architects Old Blacksmith’s Main Street Buckminster Grantham NG33 5SA

Report title: Ecology and Protected Species Survey, Stable Block at South Lodge Farm, Ropsley, Lincolnshire

Revision: Final

Original issue date: November 2019

Amended: N/A

Originated by: Alex Scurrah-Price Date: Assistant Ecologist 5th November 2019

Reviewed by: Andrew Malkinson Date: Associate 13th November 2019

Approved by: Ian Nixon Date: Director 13th November 2019

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Buildings at South Lodge Farm, Ropsley November 2019

ECOLOGY AND PROTECTED SPECIES SURVEY STABLE BLOCK AT SOUTH LODGE FARM, ROPSLEY, LINCOLNSHIRE

Contents

1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1

2 METHODS ...... 2 2.1 Data search ...... 2

2.2 Bats ...... 2

2.2.1 Preliminary roost assessment ...... 2

2.2.2 Assessment of commuting and foraging habitats ...... 3

2.3 Birds ...... 3

2.3.1 Common bird species ...... 3

2.3.2 Schedule 1 species ...... 3

2.4 Habitats and plant species ...... 4

2.5 Survey constraints and limitations ...... 4

3 SITE ASSESSMENT ...... 4 3.1 Location and grid reference ...... 4

3.2 Survey building ...... 5

3.3 Stable ...... 6

3.4 Storage barn ...... 7

3.5 Site boundaries and surrounding habitats ...... 7

4 RESULTS ...... 8 4.1 Data search ...... 8

4.2 Bats ...... 9

4.2.1 Preliminary roost assessment ...... 9

4.2.2 Assessment of commuting and foraging habitats ...... 12

4.3 Birds ...... 12

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4.3.1 Common bird species ...... 12

4.3.2 Schedule 1 bird species ...... 13

4.4 Habitats and plant species ...... 13

5 DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 14 5.1 Bats ...... 14

5.1.1 Legal protection ...... 14

5.1.2 Recommendations ...... 14

5.2 Birds ...... 16

5.2.1 Legal protection ...... 16

5.2.2 Recommendations for common bird species...... 16

6 SUMMARY ...... 16

7 REFERENCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY ...... 17

APPENDIX 1 ...... 18 Data search results ...... 18

APPENDIX 2 ...... 19 Procedure to follow in the event of finding bats on site ...... 19

APPENDIX 3 ...... 21 Bat roost units ...... 21

APPENDIX 4 ...... 25 Bird box examples ...... 25

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Photographs Photograph 1: Western elevation of the survey building...... 6 Photograph 2: Eastern elevation of the survey building ...... 6 Photograph 3: The loft space of the survey building ...... 6 Photograph 4: Southern elevation of the stable ...... 7 Photograph 5: Interior view of the stable ...... 7 Photograph 6: Western elevation of the storage barn ...... 7 Photograph 7: View of the western elevation of the residential property and hardstanding to the west ...... 8 Photograph 8: Example of farm and commercial buildings to the north ...... 8 Photograph 9: Brown long-eared droppings on the floor of the loft void of the survey building ...... 10 Photograph 10: Large yellow underwing moth wing on the wall of the loft void of the survey building ...... 10 Photograph 11: Example of moth wings noted on the floor of the storage barn ...... 10 Photograph 12: View of large yellow underwing moth wing noted on the floor of the storage barn ...... 10 Photograph 13: Example of large yellow underwing moth wing in the loft void of the stable ...... 11 Photograph 14: Example of brown long-eared droppings in the loft void of the stable ...... 11 Photograph 15: Example of disused swallow nest within the roof timbers of the survey building ...... 13 Photograph 16: Further example of disused swallow nest within the roof timbers of the survey building ...... 13

Tables Table 1: Assessment of survey site to support roosting bats...... 11 Table 2: Assessment of surrounding habitats to support commuting and foraging bats ...... 12 Table 3: Common bird species seen on site...... 12

Figures Figure 1: Aerial view of the site with survey building outlined in red with storage barn and stable outlined in yellow ...... 5

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Buildings at South Lodge Farm, Ropsley November 2019

ECOLOGY AND PROTECTED SPECIES SURVEY STABLE BLOCK AT SOUTH LODGE FARM, ROPSLEY, LINCOLNSHIRE

1 INTRODUCTION

Inspired Ecology Ltd has been commissioned by John Fowkes of John Fowkes Architects on behalf of Mr and Mrs Smith-Maxwell to undertake an ecology and protected species survey of a stable block at South Lodge Farm, Ropsley in Lincolnshire. The survey is required in connection with plans to provide a grooms cottage within the existing stable blocks.

The site was surveyed on 4th November 2019, in overcast conditions, by Ian Nixon (registered to use Natural England Class Licences WML-CL08 to survey great crested newts, WML-CL19 and WML-CL20 to survey bats and WML-CL29 to survey barn owls; registration numbers 2015- 16823-CLS-CLS, 2015-12336-CLS-CLS, 2015-12338-CLS-CLS and CL29/00110 respectively) and Alex Scurrah-Price.

During the initial appraisal of the site, the protected species considered likely to occur on site were identified. These were:

• Bats • Common bird species • Schedule 1 bird species

Certain protected species were scoped out of the survey; in particular, it was considered that white-clawed crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes, common dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius, water vole Arvicola amphibius and otter Lutra lutra were highly unlikely to occur on the site due to lack of suitable habitat. There was no habitat on site considered suitable to support a significant population of common reptile species. There were no trees on site that were considered to offer potential for roosting by bat species.

According to the MAGIC (Multi-Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside) website there are four ponds within 500m of the survey buildings, approximately 100m to the south. The terrestrial habitat immediately surrounding the survey site comprises hard surfaces and amenity grassland and is not considered optimal to support great crested newt Triturus cristatus. Furthermore, there are no recent records of great crested newt from within 2km of the survey site. Taken together, it was considered highly unlikely that great crested newt would be present on site, thus this species was also scoped out of the survey. Inspired Ecology Ltd 1

Buildings at South Lodge Farm, Ropsley November 2019

A note was made of any species which are local or national Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species/species of principal importance.

This report details the methods used, describes the species found on the site, discusses the results and makes recommendations for further work. English names of higher plants are used throughout the text and are those used by Stace (2010).

2 METHODS

2.1 Data search The Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre (LERC) was consulted and commissioned on 25th October 2019 to search for sites with statutory and non-statutory designation and records of protected species within 2km of the survey site. Records of protected species more than 20 years old are not referred to in this report but are included within Appendix 1.

2.2 Bats 2.2.1 Preliminary roost assessment In accordance with Collins (2016), a preliminary roost assessment was carried out on the building to determine whether any features were present that bats could use for entry/exit points and roosting, and to search for signs of bat presence. Ladders, high-powered torches and binoculars were used to search for internal and external features including but not limited to:

• Gaps around windowsills, door frames and lintels • Lifted rendering, paintwork, shiplap boarding • Soffit boxes, weatherboarding and fascias • Lead flashing, hanging tiles and lifted or missing tiles/slate • Gaps >15mm in brickwork and stonework • Bat specimens (live or dead) • Bat droppings and urine staining • Feeding remains (e.g. moth wings) • Cobweb-free sections of ridge beam

The building was then assigned a measure of potential suitability to determine the extent of future survey work needed. The categories of potential suitability and potential further survey effort required are as follows: Inspired Ecology Ltd 2

Buildings at South Lodge Farm, Ropsley November 2019

• Negligible – Negligible features on site likely to be used by roosting bats – no further survey work • Low – A structure with one or more potential roost sites that could be used by individual bats opportunistically – one survey visit (dusk or dawn) • Moderate – A structure with one or more potential roost sites that could be used by bats on a regular basis – two separate survey visits (one dusk and one dawn) • High – A structure with one or more potential roost sites that are obviously suitable for use by larger numbers of bats on a regular basis and for longer periods of time – three separate survey visits (one dusk, one dawn and one dusk or dawn)

There were no trees on the survey site.

2.2.2 Assessment of commuting and foraging habitats In accordance with Collins (2016), the survey site and adjacent areas were assessed for their potential suitability for commuting and foraging bats and categorised as follows;

• Negligible – Negligible habitat features on site or in surrounding area likely to be used by commuting or foraging bats • Low – Habitat features that could be used by small numbers of commuting bats such as a gappy hedgerow or small numbers of foraging bats such as a patch of scrub, but that are isolated from other habitat features • Moderate – Continuous habitat connected to the wider landscape such as lines of trees that could be used by commuting bats or trees, grassland or water features that could be used by foraging bats • High – Continuous, high-quality habitat that is well connected to the wider landscape for use by commuting and foraging bats such as river valleys, woodland, grassland and parkland.

2.3 Birds 2.3.1 Common bird species The survey site was searched for signs of use by nesting birds, typically old and active nests and concentrations of faecal deposits associated with a breeding site. All bird species recorded on site were noted.

2.3.2 Schedule 1 species The buildings on site were inspected for the presence of barn owl Tyto alba and the signs indicative of their past or present use including regurgitated pellets, concentrated accumulations Inspired Ecology Ltd 3

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of flattened pellets indicative of a nest site, faecal encrustation, eggs or eggshell remains, surplus prey items, bodily remains of chicks or infant down feathers. The site was not considered to provide suitable breeding opportunities for other Schedule 1 species.

2.4 Habitats and plant species An extended ecological assessment survey was undertaken, not only to identify the habitats present on the survey site, but also to include more detailed information on hedgerows, plant species on site, and undertake a further appraisal of the area as habitat for legally protected species. Plant species on site were assessed against the Vascular Plant Red Data List for Great Britain, and the site was assessed against the Local Wildlife Site (LWS) criteria for Lincolnshire.

2.5 Survey constraints and limitations The information contained in this report was accurate at the time of the survey; however, it should be noted that the status of mobile species such as badgers, birds and bats can alter in a short period of time and any survey only represents a ‘snapshot’ of the site at one point in the season. There are no definitive guidelines relating to the longevity of an ecology report, however we recommend that the results are updated after 12 months if the proposed work has not commenced.

3 SITE ASSESSMENT

3.1 Location and grid reference The survey site comprises a stable block located at South Lodge Farm, Ropsley in Lincolnshire - central grid reference SK981349.

The habitats on site are described in detail below and representative photographs are included in the text. The location of the survey site is provided in Figure 1 below.

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Figure 1: Aerial view of the site with survey building outlined in red with storage barn and stable outlined in yellow

3.2 Survey building The single-storey building is constructed of solid Ancaster rubble stone walls supporting a pitched timber roof covered with pantiles laid on bitumen felt. The stable block has a ceiling with two open loft hatches providing access to the single loft void. The building is accessed via a half timber door with metal screen above on the eastern elevation. There are two openings at low- level covered by solid timber shutters and a timber framed, glazed window which was open at the time of the survey at upper level, located on the western elevation.

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Photograph 1: Western elevation of the Photograph 2: Eastern elevation of the survey building survey building

Photograph 3: The loft space of the survey building

3.3 Stable The adjoining stable to the east is a single-storey building constructed from solid Ancaster rubble stone walls supporting a pitched timber roof covered with pantiles on lath and plaster which has degraded in places. The stable has a ceiling with an open loft hatch providing access to the loft void, which is very cobwebby amongst the roof timbers. The building is accessed via a timber stable door on the northern elevation.

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Photograph 4: Southern elevation of the Photograph 5: Interior view of the stable stable

3.4 Storage barn The adjoining storage barn to the north is a single-storey building constructed of solid brick and concrete block walls supporting an unlined, pitched metal roof covered with corrugated fibre- cement sheeting. The western gable has been infilled with corrugated fibre-cement sheeting. The building is accessed via a large metal sliding door on the western elevation.

Photograph 6: Western elevation of the storage barn

3.5 Site boundaries and surrounding habitats An area of hardstanding with amenity grassland in the centre is located to the south east of the survey building with vegetaion including greater plantain Plantago major, meadow-grass species Poa sp., clover species Trifolium sp., daisy Bellis perennis, dandelion Taraxacum sp. and yarrow Achillea millefolium. A residential property adjoins the southern elevation of the building. The survey building is located in the centre of South Lodge Farm, surrounded by areas of hardstanding with farm and commercial buildings to the north and residential properties to the south. South Lodge Farm is located in the centre of a small, linear woodland with arable

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farmland bordered by trees located beyond with Peck Hill and Risewood Lane to the north and south respectively. The wider environment features predominantly arable farmland bordered by hedgerows and trees with woodland blocks to the north, south and west. Abney Wq`1ood is located approximately 1.2km to the north with Kirton Wood and Ropsley Rise Wood approximatley 1.7km and 765m to the south and west respectively. The village of Ropsley is situated approximately 1.3km to the south-east.

Photograph 7: View of the western Photograph 8: Example of farm and elevation of the residential property and commercial buildings to the north hardstanding to the west

4 RESULTS

4.1 Data search The LERC data search identified one statutory site within 2km of the site and eight non-statutory sites;

• Kirton Wood, Lincolnshire SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) • Abney Wood LWS (Local Wildlife Site) • Hurn Wood, Ropsley LWS • Old Somerby to Ropsley Road Verges LWS • Ropsley Heath Road Verges LWS • Ropsley Rise Wood LWS • Welby to Haceby Road Verges LWS • Welby, Church Lane Verges LWS • West of Braceby, Wild Flower Way LWS

Kirton Wood SSSI and Abney Wood LWS have areas of ancient and semi-natural woodland Inspired Ecology Ltd 8

Buildings at South Lodge Farm, Ropsley November 2019

present. Ropsley Rise Wood LWS has ancient replanted woodland present, with a Roadside Nature Reserve (RNR) located to the south of the LWS. The priority habitats of lowland calcareous grassland and lowland mixed deciduous woodland are located within 2km of the survey site. The above sites and habitats are not within or adjacent to the survey site, thus the small scale of the proposed development is unlikely to affect the nature conservation interests of the area.

The following UK BAP species have been recorded within 2km of the site: • brown hare Lepus europaeus in 2013 • west European hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus in 2015

Where applicable, the records of protected species are included within the relevant section of the report.

4.2 Bats There are records of brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus, from 2011, with a single record for Pipistrelle species Pipistrellus sp. within 2km of the survey site also from 2011. There is also a single record of common pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus from 2002.

4.2.1 Preliminary roost assessment No live bats were recorded during the daylight assessment.

Within the loft void of the survey building a small concentration of c.60 fresh dropping recalling those voided by brown long-eared bats were located on the floor, in addition to a single large yellow underwing moth Noctua pronuba wing. A further large yellow underwing moth wing was also identified on the wall of the loft void of the survey building.

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Photograph 9: Brown long-eared Photograph 10: Large yellow underwing droppings on the floor of the loft void of moth wing on the wall of the loft void of the survey building the survey building

A concentration of c.20-30 large yellow underwing moth wings, in addition to a single ghost moth Hepialus humuli wing was identified on the floor of the eastern end of the storage barn. A single dropping recalling those voided by brown long-eared bats was also located on the floor amongst the moth wings.

Photograph 11: Example of moth wings Photograph 12: View of large yellow noted on the floor of the storage barn underwing moth wing noted on the floor of the storage barn

Within the loft void of the stable, c.15 scattered fresh droppings recalling those voided by brown long-eared bats were located on the floor, in addition to c.5 large yellow underwing moth wings.

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Photograph 13: Example of large yellow Photograph 14: Example of brown long- underwing moth wing in the loft void of eared droppings in the loft void of the the stable stable

The results of the survey suggest that the buildings have been used in the past by a single/small number of brown long-eared bats as a feeding perch.

The results of the preliminary roost assessment appear in tabular form below:

Table 1: Assessment of survey site to support roosting bats Building/ Description Site value for Feature bats Pitched timber roof lined with bitumen felt. Low potential for transient roosting. Survey Moth wings and brown long-eared bat droppings Negligible potential building found. for hibernation or maternity roosting. Pitched timber roof laid on lath and plaster which has degraded in places. Low potential for transient roosting. Stable Very cobwebby amongst roof timbers. Negligible potential for hibernation or Moth wings and brown long-eared bat droppings maternity roosting. found. Unlined pitched metal roof covered with corrugated Low potential for fibre cement sheeting. transient roosting. Storage barn Negligible potential Moth wings and brown long-eared bat dropping for hibernation or found. maternity roosting.

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4.2.2 Assessment of commuting and foraging habitats The survey building is surrounded immediately by further farm and commercial buildings and a farmyard, with areas of woodland and grassland, arable fields, and a small number of residential properties and ponds located within 500m of the survey building. There are also a number of hedgerows and trees bounding fields and along roadsides in the area.

Within the wider landscape, the area is dominated by arable land with grassland and woodland patches, as well as urban areas, ponds and drains. There is also a quarry within 3km of the survey site. Field boundary hedgerows provide a network of connectivity within the area.

The results of the assessment of the surrounding habitats appear in tabular form below:

Table 2: Assessment of surrounding habitats to support commuting and foraging bats Feature Description Value for bats Immediate Woodland, grassland, arable fields, farm buildings, a Moderate potential area (<500m) farmyard, and a small number of residential for foraging and properties. Hedgerows and lines of trees provide commuting bats connectivity. Wider Mostly arable fields with woodland and grassland. Moderate potential surroundings Urban areas with ponds, drains and a quarry. Field for foraging and (500m-3km) boundary hedgerows contribute to the connectivity commuting bats within the area.

4.3 Birds 4.3.1 Common bird species A number of common birds were seen on or flying over the site during the survey. These are listed below along with their current status as BAP species or Birds of Conservation Concern 4 (Eaton et al, 2015):

Table 3: Common bird species seen on site English name Scientific name BAP BoCC blue tit Cyanistes caeruleus Green great tit Parus major Green fieldfare Turdus pilaris Red pied wagtail Motacilla alba Green chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Green

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Four disused swallow Hirundo rustica nests were identified amongst the roof timbers of the loft void of the survey building, with a further disused nest identified on the floor. The remains/skeletons of approximately 8 young birds were also located scattered throughout the floor of the loft void of the survey building.

Photograph 15: Example of disused Photograph 16: Further example of swallow nest within the roof timbers of disused swallow nest within the roof the survey building timbers of the survey building

The buildings all have potential for use by nesting birds.

4.3.2 Schedule 1 bird species There is a single record of barn owl in the area from 2016. No evidence of current or previous occupation by barn owl were identified throughout the duration of the survey. There are no potential nesting areas within the buildings suitable for barn owl and the proposed development will not result in a breach of the legislation which protects this species. No further work or mitigation is required in respect of this species. If barn owl presence is suspected within the buildings at any time then it will be necessary to seek advice immediately by calling 07833 674500, to ensure legal compliance.

Although fieldfare is listed on Schedule 1, it is a winter visitor and not likely to breed on site.

4.4 Habitats and plant species The plant species recorded on the site are common and widespread in the local area and in the country. The site does not meet the required criteria to qualify as a Local Wildlife Site and there are no species that are listed in the Vascular Plant Red Data List for Great Britain. No invasive plant species listed on Schedule 9 were recorded.

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5 DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Bats 5.1.1 Legal protection In England, Scotland and Wales, all bats are strictly protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (and as amended); in England and Wales this legislation has been amended and strengthened by the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000. Bats are also protected by European legislation; the EC Habitats Directive is transposed into UK law by The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 – often referred to as 'The Habitat Regs'. Taken together, all this legislation makes it an offence to:

• Deliberately capture (or take), injure or kill a bat • Intentionally or recklessly disturb a group of bats where the disturbance is likely to significantly affect the ability of the animals to survive, breed, or nurture their young or likely to significantly affect the local distribution or abundance of the species whether in a roost or not. • Damage or destroy the breeding or resting place of a bat • Possess a bat (alive or dead) or any part of a bat • Intentionally or recklessly obstruct access to a bat roost • Sell (or offer for sale) or exchange bats (alive or dead) or parts of bats

A roost is defined as being ‘any structure or place that is used for shelter or protection’, and since bats regularly move roost site throughout the year, a roost retains such designation whether or not bats are present at the time.

5.1.2 Recommendations The results of the survey indicate that the survey building has been used in the past as a feeding perch by a single/small number of brown long-eared bats. The results also suggest that the adjoining stable and storage barn have also been utilised in the past as feeding perches by a single/small number of brown long-eared bats.

As evidence of further feeding perches were found in buildings directly adjacent to the survey building and that these will remain beyond the proposed works, it is considered that the proposed conversion of the survey building will not negatively impact the long term viability of local bat populations. No further survey works are considered necessary in this instance as the favourable conservation status for this species will be maintained.

None of the buildings were considered to provide suitable conditions or niches to support a significant long-term or maternity roost. Inspired Ecology Ltd 14

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It is therefore considered that no mitigation is required ahead of work to develop the site and there is no requirement for a Natural England European Protected Species licence. No further survey work is considered necessary and it is not considered necessary to work to a Method Statement.

However, it is recommended that precautions are taken to ensure bats are not disturbed during the development work. These precautions, together with suggestions for enhancing ecological diversity of the site are detailed below. It is likely that these measures may form the basis of a planning condition. Local Planning Authorities have an obligation to enhance biodiversity and ensure ‘favourable conservation status’ – the implementation of these measures will ensure legal compliance and ensure that obligations relating to biodiversity are fulfilled.

Precautionary measures and enhancement measures for bats – Stable block at South Lodge Farm, Ropsley

• All contractors working on the building will be briefed on the legal protection afforded to bats and their places of shelter and on how to proceed if a bat is discovered during the course of the work. A procedure to follow in the unlikely event of discovering bats on site is given as Appendix 2.

• Ensure that dark unlit corridors are maintained around and across the site, allowing bats to pass through and across the site unhindered by artificial light. It is understood that the boundary hedgerows and trees will be retained within the development plans; these should remain unlit so they can be used as dark corridors by foraging/commuting bats. Any lighting on the edges of the site may require shields or adaptations to minimise light spill.

• As a positive conservation measure to enhance the site for bats, install at least two bat roost units into the new buildings. These should be placed on the northern and southern elevations. Examples of bat roost units which could be used are given as Appendix 3 and more information can be found at www.wildcareshop.co.uk. Avoid placing external lighting that illuminates the newly installed bat roost units.

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5.2 Birds 5.2.1 Legal protection All common wild birds are protected under The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (and as amended). Under this legislation it is an offence to:

• Kill, injure or take any wild bird • Take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built • Take or destroy the egg of any wild bird

Certain rare breeding birds are listed on Schedule 1 of The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (and as amended). Under this legislation they are afforded the same protection as common wild birds and are also protected against disturbance whilst building a nest or on or near a nest containing eggs/unfledged young.

5.2.2 Recommendations for common bird species The buildings on site provide potential for nesting bird species with several disused birds’ nests being noted during the survey. Any clearance work should commence outside the active nesting season which typically runs from March through to late August. If work commences during the bird breeding season, a search for nests should be carried out before they begin, and active nests should be protected until the young fledge.

Consideration should also be given to the provision of nest boxes of various designs within the development. Details of nest boxes suitable for use by a range of common bird species can be obtained from Wildcare, Eastgate House, Moreton Road, Longborough, Gloucestershire GL56 0QJ (01451 833181), www.wildcareshop.co.uk, with examples of some bird boxes provided in Appendix 4.

6 SUMMARY

A stable block at South Lodge Farm, Ropsley in Lincolnshire was surveyed in connection with plans to provide a grooms cottage within the existing stable blocks.

No ecological constraints were found to be associated with plans to develop this land.

Some precautionary measures and ecological enhancements are required in order to ensure legal compliance and no net loss to biodiversity. These are as follows:

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• Best practice in relation to bats • Provision of bat roosting units • Appropriate timing with regards to nesting birds • Provision of bird boxes

7 REFERENCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY

Cheffings, C.M. & Farrell, L. (ed.), Dines, T.D., Jones, R.A., Leach, S.J., McKean, D.R., Pearman, D.A., Preston, C.D., Rumsey, F.J. and Taylor, I. 2005. The Vascular Plant Red Data List for Great Britain. Species Status 7: 1-116. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough.

Collins, J. (ed.) 2016. Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists: Good Practice Guidelines (3rd edition). The Bat Conservation Trust, London.

Collop, C. (revised Bouic, A.) 2015. Lincolnshire Biodiversity Action Plan 2011-20. 3rd edition. Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership.

Eaton, M., Aebischer, N., Brown, A., Hearn, R., Lock, L., Musgrove, A., Noble, D., Stroud, D. and Gregory, R. 2015. Birds of Conservation Concern 4: the population status of birds in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. British Birds 108, pp708–746.

Mitchell-Jones, A. J. 2004. Bat Mitigation Guidelines. English Nature.

Mitchell-Jones, A. J. and McLeish, A. P. 2004. Bat workers manual. Joint Nature Conservation Committee.

Poole, J. and Fraser, J. (ed.) 2013. Local Wildlife Site Guidelines for Greater Lincolnshire (3rd edition). Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership, Horncastle.

Stace, C. 2010. New Flora of the British Isles. 3rd Edition. CUP, Cambridge.

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ECOLOGY AND PROTECTED SPECIES SURVEY GROOM’S COTTAGE, SOUTH LODGE FARM, ROPSLEY, LINCOLNSHIRE

APPENDIX 1 Data search results

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LERC Search Summary Report

Grid Reference: SK 981 349 Buffer: 2km

Date of publication: 25/10/2019 Expires: 25/10/2020

Achieving more for nature Report Details

Produced for Rachel McNally, Inspired Ecology Ltd

Search area

Leaﬂet | © Stadia Maps, © OpenMapTiles, © OpenStreetMap contributors, © Crown Copyright and Database Rights (2018) Ordnance Survey (100025370)

Terms and conditions

1. The data and reports provided by LERC are only to be used for the speciﬁc purpose they were produced. 2. The data and any copyright remains the property of GLNP, its licensors and/or the data providers (as applicable), and the data products and services remain the copyright of GLNP.

3. Permission to use the data and reports provided by LERC expires 12 months following supply.

For full terms and conditions see https://search.glnp.org.uk/terms-and-conditions

This report summarises a search of statutory sites, non-statutory sites, other sites, habitats and species within the speciﬁed area; where no information is returned for a section, it is excluded from this summary report.

About the Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre The Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre (LERC) collates wildlife and geological information for Greater Lincolnshire from various sources and makes it available for various uses. This data is crucial to aid conservation management of sites, to help organisations prioritise action, and to understand the distribution of species and trends over time. For more information on LERC or to request a data search, visit the website at https://glnp.org.uk/partnership/lerc/

Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre is an ALERC accredited LRC, meeting the standard level criteria. For more information on acceditation, see the ALERC website at http://www.alerc.org.uk/alerc-accreditation.html

2 Statutory Sites

Statutory sites are those afforded legal protection aimed at preventing activities that may damage features of interest. Further information on these sites is available from Natural England (SSSIs, NNRs, LNRs, SPAs, SACs, Ramsars) and The National Association for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs).

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Code Designation Status Name 1 SSSI Notiﬁed Kirton Wood, Lincolnshire

3 Statutory Sites within the search area

Leaﬂet | © Stadia Maps, © OpenMapTiles, © OpenStreetMap contributors, © Crown Copyright and Database Rights (2018) Ordnance Survey (100025370)

Space restrictions on the map may result in some sites not being labelled.

Site of Special Scientiﬁc Interest Search area

4 Non-statutory sites

The GLNP works directly with local authorities to coordinate the Local Sites system in Greater Lincolnshire. Sites are selected by the Nature Partnership, based on recommendations made by its expert working groups known as the LWS Panel and LGS Panel. The Register of Local Sites is then submitted for inclusion within local authority planning policy.

These sites are recognition of wildlife or geological value and are a testament to the land management that is already being undertaken on them. Identifying these sites helps local authorities meet their obligations under legislation and government guidance, including reporting on the number of sites in positive management for Single Data List Indicator 160-00.

Code Designation Status Name 1 LWS Selected Abney Wood 2 LWS Selected Hurn Wood, Ropsley 3 LWS Selected Old Somerby to Ropsley Road Verges 4 LWS Selected Ropsley Heath Road Verges 5 LWS Selected Ropsley Rise Wood 6 LWS Selected Welby to Haceby Road Verges 7 LWS Selected Welby, Church Lane Verges 8 LWS Selected West of Braceby, Wild Flower Way

5 Non-statutory sites within the search area

5 8 3

Space restrictions on the map may result in some sites not being labelled. Please refer to the site citations for details.

Local Wildlife Site Search area

6 Other Sites

There are a number of other sites which can be important for the biodiversity they support and as part of the natural environments wider ecological network. For more information on these, please contact the relevant organisation.

Code Designation Status Name 1 Ancient Woodland Ancient & Semi-Natural Woodland ABNEY WOOD 2 Ancient Woodland Ancient & Semi-Natural Woodland KIRTON WOOD 3 Ancient Woodland Ancient Replanted Woodland ROPSLEY RISE WOOD 4 RNR - Ropsley

7 Other Sites within the search area

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Ancient & Semi-Natural Woodland Roadside Nature Reserve

Ancient Replanted Woodland Search area

8 Habitats

Priority habitats are those identiﬁed as being the most threatened and requiring conservation action in the UK. The most-recent list of UK priority species and habitats was published in August 2007 following a 2-year review of the process and priorities, representing the most comprehensive analysis of such information ever undertaken in the UK.

The data presented is the most up-to-date of the data collated by the GLNP and mostly comes from surveys of Local Sites; further historic data and non-Priority habitat data may also be available. Absence of information doesn’t mean that the Priority habitat isn’t present merely that no information is held.

A number of different datasets have been consulted to produce this report - a summary of attribution statements is available at https://glnp.org.uk/admin/resources/habitat-attribution.pdf.

Type Habitat Survey Date Area (ha) Priority Habitat Lowland calcareous grassland 2010 - 2012 18.67 Priority Habitat Lowland mixed deciduous woodland 2015 59.4

9 Habitats within the search area

Space restrictions on the map may result in some sites not being labelled.

Lowland calcareous grassland Search area

Lowland mixed deciduous woodland

10 Species

Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre holds records on the following species within or overlapping the search area. Data shown is as held by LERC; past records of presence of a species does not guarantee continued occurrence and absence of records does not imply absence of a species, merely that no records are held. Confidential data, zero abundance records, data at poorly defined geographic resolutions and data pending validation and/or verification are also excluded from this report. A number of different datasets have been consulted to produce this report - a summary of attribution statements is available at https://glnp.org.uk/admin/resources/species-attribution.pdf.

Amphibian (1 taxa) Common Frog, Rana temporaria 6 1977 - 1977 Protected

Bird (24 taxa) Barn Owl, Tyto alba 1 2016 - 2016 Protected, Local Priority Bullﬁnch, Pyrrhula pyrrhula 7 1979 - 2012 Local Priority Collared Dove, Streptopelia decaocto 8 2009 - 2010 Non-native Cuckoo, Cuculus canorus 1 2012 - 2012 Priority

Curlew, Numenius arquata 1 2009 - 2009 Priority, Local Priority

Fieldfare, Turdus pilaris 3 2012 - 2012 Protected

Grey Partridge, Perdix perdix 6 1979 - 2010 Priority, Local Priority, Non-native

Hobby, Falco subbuteo 2 2007 - 2010 Protected

House Sparrow, Passer domesticus 12 1979 - 2015 Priority, Local Priority

Lapwing, Vanellus vanellus 7 2006 - 2010 Priority, Local Priority

Linnet, Linaria cannabina 5 2010 - 2011 Local Priority

Little Owl, Athene noctua 2 1999 - 2006 Non-native

Marsh Harrier, Circus aeruginosus 1 2010 - 2010 Protected

Pheasant, Phasianus colchicus 10 1979 - 2016 Non-native

Red Kite, Milvus milvus 5 2003 - 2015 Protected

Red-legged Partridge, Alectoris rufa 4 2009 - 2012 Non-native

Reed Bunting, Emberiza schoeniclus 4 1979 - 2013 Priority, Local Priority

Skylark, Alauda arvensis 13 1979 - 2012 Local Priority Song Thrush, Turdus philomelos 4 1979 - 2010 Local Priority Spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa striata 1 2011 - 2011 Priority Starling, Sturnus vulgaris 10 1979 - 2010 Local Priority Swift, Apus apus 10 2009 - 2012 Local Priority Tree Sparrow, Passer montanus 5 1979 - 2010 Priority, Local Priority Yellowhammer, Emberiza citrinella 10 1979 - 2012 Priority, Local Priority

Conifer (3 taxa) Corsican Pine, Pinus nigra 1 2015 - 2015 Non-native Norway Spruce, Picea abies 2 2015 - 2015 Non-native Western Red-cedar, Thuja plicata 1 2015 - 2015 Non-native

11 Flowering Plant (105 taxa) Alsike Clover, Trifolium hybridum 2 2016 - 2016 Non-native Apple, Malus pumila 6 2015 - 2016 Non-native Aubretia, Aubrieta deltoidea 1 2015 - 2015 Non-native Balm, Melissa oﬃcinalis 1 2016 - 2016 Non-native Barren Brome, Bromus sterilis 8 2016 - 2017 Non-native Beaked Hawk's-beard, Crepis vesicaria 1 2017 - 2017 Non-native Black Horehound, Ballota nigra 5 2015 - 2017 Non-native Black-bindweed, Fallopia convolvulus 5 2016 - 2016 Non-native Black-grass, Alopecurus myosuroides 7 2016 - 2017 Non-native Bluebell, Hyacinthoides non-scripta x hispanica = H. x 2 2015 - 2016 Non-native massartiana

Bluebell, Hyacinthoides non-scripta 1 2015 - 2015 Protected Borage, Borago officinalis 1 2015 - 2015 Non-native Bristly Oxtongue, Picris echioides 7 2016 - 2016 Non-native Broad-leaved Everlasting-pea, Lathyrus latifolius 1 2015 - 2015 Non-native Butterfly-bush, Buddleja davidii 1 2015 - 2015 Non-native Caper Spurge, Euphorbia lathyris 1 2016 - 2016 Non-native Charlock, Sinapis arvensis 2 2016 - 2016 Non-native Cherry Plum, Prunus cerasifera 1 2015 - 2015 Non-native Chicory, Cichorium intybus 3 2016 - 2016 Non-native Common Field-speedwell, Veronica persica 11 2015 - 2017 Non-native Common Fumitory, Fumaria officinalis subsp. wirtgenii 1 2016 - 2016 Non-native Common Mallow, Malva sylvestris 5 2015 - 2017 Non-native Common Poppy, Papaver rhoeas 4 2016 - 2017 Non-native Common Vetch, Vicia sativa subsp. segetalis 1 2016 - 2016 Non-native Cotton Thistle, Onopordum acanthium 2 2016 - 2017 Non-native Cut-leaved Crane's-bill, Geranium dissectum 7 2015 - 2017 Non-native Cut-leaved Dead-nettle, Lamium hybridum 1 2015 - 2015 Non-native Eastern Sowbread, Cyclamen coum 1 2015 - 2015 Non-native Equal-leaved Knotgrass, Polygonum arenastrum 4 2016 - 2016 Non-native Feverfew, Tanacetum parthenium 3 2015 - 2016 Non-native Field Forget-me-not, Myosotis arvensis 6 2015 - 2016 Non-native Field Pansy, Viola arvensis 1 2016 - 2016 Non-native Field Penny-cress, Thlaspi arvense 1 2016 - 2016 Non-native Flax, Linum usitatissimum 1 2016 - 2016 Non-native Flowering Currant, Ribes sanguineum 1 2015 - 2015 Non-native Fuji Cherry, Prunus incisa 1 2015 - 2015 Non-native Garden Grape-hyacinth, Muscari armeniacum 2 2015 - 2015 Non-native Garden Peony, Paeonia officinalis 1 2015 - 2015 Non-native Gooseberry, Ribes uva-crispa 1 2016 - 2016 Non-native Green Alkanet, Pentaglottis sempervirens 2 2015 - 2016 Non-native Green Field-speedwell, Veronica agrestis 1 2015 - 2015 Non-native

12 Flowering Plant (105 taxa) Grey Field-speedwell, Veronica polita 1 2015 - 2015 Non-native Ground-elder, Aegopodium podagraria 5 2015 - 2017 Non-native Hedge Mustard, Sisymbrium officinale 4 2016 - 2016 Non-native Hedgerow Crane's-bill, Geranium pyrenaicum 5 2015 - 2016 Non-native Hemlock, Conium maculatum 2 2016 - 2017 Non-native Henbit Dead-nettle, Lamium amplexicaule 1 2016 - 2016 Non-native Hoary Cress, Lepidium draba subsp. draba 1 2016 - 2016 Non-native Hollyhock, Alcea rosea 1 2015 - 2015 Non-native Honesty, Lunaria annua 1 2015 - 2015 Non-native Horse-chestnut, Aesculus hippocastanum 1 2015 - 2015 Non-native Ivy-Leaved Speedwell, Veronica hederifolia subsp. hederifolia 2 2015 - 2015 Non-native Ivy-leaved Speedwell, Veronica hederifolia 1 2016 - 2016 Non-native Ivy-leaved Toadflax, Cymbalaria muralis 1 2015 - 2015 Non-native Japanese Knotweed, Fallopia japonica 1 2016 - 2016 Non-native Laburnham, Laburnum anagyroides 2 2015 - 2016 Non-native Large Bindweed, Calystegia silvatica 2 2016 - 2016 Non-native Least Yellow-sorrel, Oxalis exilis 1 2016 - 2016 Non-native Lesser Swine-cress, Lepidium didymum 1 2016 - 2016 Non-native Lucerne, Medicago sativa subsp. sativa 2 2016 - 2017 Non-native Lungwort, Pulmonaria officinalis 1 2015 - 2015 Non-native Mexican Fleabane, Erigeron karvinskianus 1 2016 - 2016 Non-native Mugwort, Artemisia vulgaris 5 2016 - 2016 Non-native Norway Maple, Acer platanoides 1 2015 - 2015 Non-native Opium Poppy, Papaver somniferum 1 2015 - 2015 Non-native Oxford Ragwort, Senecio squalidus 1 2016 - 2016 Non-native Peach-leaved Bellflower, Campanula persicifolia 1 2015 - 2015 Non-native Petty Spurge, Euphorbia peplus 3 2015 - 2016 Non-native Pineappleweed, Matricaria discoidea 7 2016 - 2016 Non-native Pot Marigold, Calendula officinalis 2 2015 - 2016 Non-native Prickly Lettuce, Lactuca serriola 2 2016 - 2017 Non-native Prunus cerasifera var. pissardii, Prunus cerasifera var. 1 2015 - 2015 Non-native pissardii

Purple Toadﬂax, Linaria purpurea 2 2016 - 2016 Non-native Red Dead-nettle, Lamium purpureum 5 2015 - 2016 Non-native Red Valerian, Centranthus ruber 2 2015 - 2016 Non-native Rock Crane's-bill, Geranium macrorrhizum 1 2015 - 2015 Non-native Rose-of-Sharon, Hypericum calycinum 1 2015 - 2015 Non-native Russian Comfrey, Symphytum oﬃcinale x asperum = S. x 1 2016 - 2016 Non-native uplandicum

Russian-vine, Fallopia baldschuanica 1 2015 - 2015 Non-native Rye Brome, Bromus secalinus 1 2016 - 2016 Non-native Scented Mayweed, Matricaria chamomilla 3 2016 - 2016 Non-native

13 Flowering Plant (105 taxa) Scentless Mayweed, Tripleurospermum inodorum 6 2015 - 2017 Non-native Sharp-leaved Fluellen, Kickxia elatine 1 2016 - 2016 Non-native Shepherd's-purse, Capsella bursa-pastoris 9 2015 - 2017 Non-native Slender Speedwell, Veronica filiformis 2 2015 - 2015 Non-native Small Nettle, Urtica urens 1 2016 - 2016 Non-native Snapdragon, Antirrhinum majus 1 2015 - 2015 Non-native Snow-in-summer, Cerastium tomentosum 1 2015 - 2015 Non-native Snowdrop, Galanthus nivalis 1 2015 - 2015 Non-native Spanish Bluebell, Hyacinthoides hispanica 1 2015 - 2015 Non-native Sun Spurge, Euphorbia helioscopia 3 2015 - 2016 Non-native Swine-cress, Lepidium coronopus 4 2015 - 2016 Non-native Sycamore, Acer pseudoplatanus 7 2015 - 2016 Non-native Two-flowered Everlasting-pea, Lathyrus grandiflorus 1 2015 - 2015 Non-native Venus's-looking-glass, Legousia hybrida 1 2016 - 2016 Non-native Wall Barley, Hordeum murinum 4 2016 - 2017 Non-native Wallflower, Erysimum cheiri 1 2015 - 2015 Non-native Weld, Reseda luteola 2 2016 - 2016 Non-native White Campion, Silene latifolia 7 2015 - 2017 Non-native White Comfrey, Symphytum orientale 1 2015 - 2015 Non-native White Dead-nettle, Lamium album 8 2015 - 2017 Non-native Wild-oat, Avena fatua 5 2016 - 2017 Non-native Yellow Archangel, Lamium galeobdolon subsp. argentatum 1 2015 - 2015 Non-native Yellow Corydalis, Pseudofumaria lutea 1 2016 - 2016 Non-native Yellow-juiced Poppy, Papaver dubium subsp. lecoqii 1 2016 - 2016 Non-native

Insect - Beetle (Coleoptera) (1 taxa) Black Oil-beetle, Meloe proscarabaeus 10 2012 - 2018 Priority

Insect - Butterﬂy (2 taxa) Small Heath, Coenonympha pamphilus 2 1970 - 2012 Priority Wall, Lasiommata megera 3 1972 - 1989 Priority

Reptile (1 taxa) Grass Snake, Natrix helvetica 3 1977 - 1977 Protected, Priority

14 Terrestrial Mammal (9 taxa) Brown Hare, Lepus europaeus 13 1977 - 2013 Priority Brown Rat, Rattus norvegicus 4 1977 - 1981 Non-native Chinese Muntjac, Muntiacus reevesi 2 2006 - 2007 Non-native Eastern Grey Squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis 7 1977 - 1979 Non-native Eurasian Badger, Meles meles 16 1991 - 2018 Protected European Rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus 16 1977 - 2012 Non-native Fallow Deer, Dama dama 13 1977 - 2016 Non-native House Mouse, Mus musculus 3 1977 - 2014 Non-native West European Hedgehog, Erinaceus europaeus 9 1977 - 2015 Priority

Terrestrial Mammal (bat) (4 taxa) Bats, Chiroptera 13 1985 - 2017 Protected, Priority, Local Priority Brown Long-eared Bat, Plecotus auritus 4 2002 - 2011 Protected, Priority, Local Priority Common Pipistrelle, Pipistrellus pipistrellus sensu stricto 1 2002 - 2002 Protected, Local Priority Pipistrelle Bat species, Pipistrellus 1 2011 - 2011 Protected, Priority, Local Priority

15 Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership Banovallum House Manor House Street Horncastle Lincolnshire LN9 5HF

Tel: 01507 528398 Email: [email protected] Web: www.glnp.org.uk

Achieving more for nature Buildings at South Lodge Farm, Ropsley November 2019

ECOLOGY AND PROTECTED SPECIES SURVEY GROOM’S COTTAGE, SOUTH LODGE FARM, ROPSLEY, LINCOLNSHIRE

APPENDIX 2 Procedure to follow in the event of finding bats on site

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Buildings at South Lodge Farm, Ropsley November 2019

ECOLOGY AND PROTECTED SPECIES SURVEY GROOM’S COTTAGE, SOUTH LODGE FARM, ROPSLEY, LINCOLNSHIRE

Procedure to follow if bats are discovered during works

• If at any point during the works, bats are discovered then contractors must stop work immediately and telephone Inspired Ecology Ltd Ian Nixon on 01205 723342 or 07833 674500.

• Inspired Ecology will either provide an appropriately licensed bat worker to the site or provide a member of staff who will liaise directly with Natural England. Actions will then be taken following advice given. This may include removal of bats, but only where direct written or verbal permission is gained from Natural England.

• Only when Natural England is satisfied that there is no further risk to bats will works recommence.

• Should it transpire that the operation being carried out is of more risk to bats than was originally thought, then works will be stopped until they can be supervised by an appropriately licensed bat worker.

• If a bat is found under a tile or any other aperture, works will stop immediately (as above). If the bat does not voluntarily fly out, then the aperture will be carefully covered over to protect the bat(s) from the elements, leaving a small gap for the bat to escape voluntarily. Any covering should be free from grease or other contaminants and should not be a fibreglass-based material.

• Any injured bats should be gently placed in a secure ventilated box in a cool, quiet dark place (e.g. cardboard box with a sealed lid) by the contractor for the bat’s protection whilst awaiting the arrival of the licensed person.

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Buildings at South Lodge Farm, Ropsley November 2019

ECOLOGY AND PROTECTED SPECIES SURVEY GROOM’S COTTAGE, SOUTH LODGE FARM, ROPSLEY, LINCOLNSHIRE

APPENDIX 3 Bat roost units

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Buildings at South Lodge Farm, Ropsley November 2019

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Buildings at South Lodge Farm, Ropsley November 2019

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Buildings at South Lodge Farm, Ropsley November 2019

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Buildings at South Lodge Farm, Ropsley November 2019

ECOLOGY AND PROTECTED SPECIES SURVEY GROOM’S COTTAGE, SOUTH LODGE FARM, ROPSLEY, LINCOLNSHIRE

APPENDIX 4 Bird box examples

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Buildings at South Lodge Farm, Ropsley November 2019

Examples of bird boxes with, from left to right: a 25mm diameter entrance hole, open fronted and a 28mm diameter entrance hole

Examples of sparrow terrace boxes

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