PRELIMINARY ECOLOGICAL APPRAISAL

FOR

TWO PROPOSED MICROTURBINES

AT

BLAENPIBYDD

CILRHEDYN

LLANFYRNACH

PEMBROKESHIRE

SA35 8AD

Planning Reference: 13/0723/PA

Report prepared by:

Fiona Lanc MSc, MCIEEM, AIEMA

Habitat Matters Ltd

Llyn-y-Gors

Tenby Rd

St Clears

Carms SA33 4JP

February 2014

CONTENTS

1.0 SUMMARY

2.0 INTRODUCTION

2.1 GENERAL / CLIENT’S INSTRUCTIONS

2.2 SITE DESCRIPTION & ECOLOGICAL CONTEXT

3.0 METHODOLOGY

3.1 ECOLOGICAL FIELD SURVEY AND ASSESSMENT

a. Desk Study b. Phase 1 Survey

4.0 EVALUATION OF ECOLOGICAL FEATURES & IDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS

4.1 Habitats

a. Improved grassland b. Hedgerows

4.2 Species

a. Badgers b. Bats c. Birds d. Other Protected Species

4.3 Cumulative Impact

5.0 CONCLUSION

6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER ECOLOGICAL SURVEYS

7.0 REFERENCES

8.0 DISCLAIMER

Appendix A: Location of Proposed Micro-Turbines and Cable Route at Blaenpibydd

Appendix B: Photographs of General Area

1.0 SUMMARY

 The survey was commissioned to provide an ecological assessment in relation to the installation of two small, single, domestic wind turbines (5kw Evance R9000, each on a 15m ram tilt tower) on land at Blaenpibydd Farm, Cilrhedyn, Llanfyrnach. Both turbines are to be located in the same field, approximately 30m apart.  The planning application (ref: 13/0723/pa) for the development has already been submitted and validated. The planning department has since requested an ecological walkover survey of the site.  The field survey was carried out on 2nd February 2014. This identified the habitats present within the development site and allowed an assessment to be made with respect to the potential impact on bidoversity.  A desk study, including data search, aerial photographs and OS maps, was carried out to determine presence of species and proximity of habitats.  The proposed turbine site is an improved grassland field in an exposed, elevated situation; the cable route will run across the field and then follow an existing farm track / gateways. The field and the track are of low ecological interest. Adjacent fields are also improved grassland, used for dairying.  Habitats in the wider area include hedgerows (at least 70 metres from the turbine site) and an extensive area of broadleaved woodland in a north-south running valley, approximately 500m to the east of the site.  Field boundaries on the farm are mainly well-managed hedges on top of earth banks; some hedge sections are poor with sparse, gappy vegetation; others are fences. Those closest to the proposed development are fences or poor quality hedges with many gaps. There are two isolated trees (mature Hawthorn), the closest being approximately 60m from the turbine.  There are unconfirmed records of Whiskered and Brown Long Eared bats from 2001 and 2009 at approximately 2km to the north of the site in a wooded valley.  There are suitable roost sites for bats in the range of stone and slate farm buildings at Blaenpibydd, some 350 metres to the south of the proposed development. There are also good foraging sites and commuting routes along the woodland and stream to the south of the farm buildings, and along a relatively sheltered track between hedges to the north-east of the farmstead, both of which link the farmstead to the extensive woodland in the valley. There are not considered to be good links between the turbine site and the farmstead.  There are no records of Barn Owls within 5km of the site. Records (considered correct but unverified) of Goshawk and Peregrine Falcon) from 2007/08 and 2004 respectively, are available at approximately 4km away. Red Kite records are available from 2008 at approximately 4km from the site.  There are no protected sites within 2km of the development.  There are 2 working microturbines located approximately 100m away from the proposed development. Other turbines are working within the area, the closest being approximately 2km away.  The site is considered to have a low ecological footprint.  Based on the site assessment, there are not considered to be any detrimental impacts on protected species.  There are no recommendations for further ecological surveys. 2.0 INTRODUCTION

2.1 GENERAL / CLIENT’S INSTRUCTIONS

The survey was commissioned to provide an ecological assessment in relation to the installation of two small, domestic wind turbines on land at Blaenpibydd, Cilrhedyn.

The proposal is to install a two 5kw Evance R9000 turbines, each with a 15m hub height and 3 blades, each 2.25m long, giving an overall height of 17.75m above ground level. These will be located at approximately OS grid reference SN 287336.

Appendix A shows the proposed location of the turbine in relation to the farmstead and the wider landscape.

2.2 SITE DESCRIPTION & ECOLOGICAL CONTEXT

(Photos of various locations referred to in the text are included at Appendix B)

Blaenpibydd is an intensive dairy farm, situated in Cilrhedyn, , close to the boundary to the north of . The landscape is mainly one of improved grassland, used predominantly for dairy production, divided by hedgerows and wooded valleys. (Photo 1).

The farm buildings are located to the north of a wooded stream leading into a long wooded valley, forming one of a number of connected wooded valleys in the area.

The proposed turbine will be located within a free-draining, improved grassland field, in an exposed situation some 350m to the north of the farm buildings. The turbine cable will be taken underground through the field to existing gateway between this field and then continue along an existing farm track across two other fields before reaching the farmstead.

3.0 METHODOLOGY

3.1 ECOLOGICAL FIELD SURVEY AND ASSESSMENT a. Desk Study

A desk-study was carried out prior to the field survey. This included:

 Reference to OS Maps and aerial photographs in order to identify potential areas of habitat interest that may be impacted by the proposals or may support species that could be affected.  Review of data records obtained from West Biodiversity Information Centre (including a 2km search for protected and priority species, other species of conservation concern and locally important species, protected sites and Phase I habitats, 5km search for all bats and protected birds and a 10km search for protected bats and statutory sites)  Literature review on studies

b Phase 1 Habitat Survey

A walk-over field survey of the proposed turbine site and the immediate area, including surrounding fields and boundaries, was carried out on the 2nd February 2014. Apart from one heavy rain shower, conditions were generally dry and clear. This survey was based on the standard Phase 1 Habitat Survey approach (JNCC 2010). The suitability of the recorded habitats for supporting different animal species, including signs and incidental sightings, was also considered during the survey.

The survey provided an assessment of the habitat types and the likelihood of the development having an impact on protected fauna. It included:

 A search for signs of badgers on the site and for badger setts within 30m of the development area  An assessment of the potential for impact on birds, including suitable nest sites within the area.  An assessment of the potential impact of the development on bats

4.0 EVALUATION OF ECOLOGICAL FEATURES & IDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS

4.1 Habitats

Two habitats were recorded within or close to the working area of the proposed turbines. These are:

a. Improved grassland The turbines will be located in an improved grassland field with a sward comprising mainly clover and common varieties of agricultural grass species, such as Rye Grass. (Photo 2) The field is used for silage and grazing (by dairy cattle and winter sheep) and the sward height kept low and even throughout. The cable will be routed through this field. to the south of the turbines, and pass through two other improved grassland fields (along a farm field track) to connect with the inverter at the farmstead. (Photo 3)

It is considered that there will be no detrimental impact on the improved grassland as a result of the proposed wind turbine development

b. Hedgerows The hedges on this part of the farm are generally poor; due to exposure and, presumably, regular grazing, sections of the woody plants have been lost, leaving bare earth banks with sparse hedgerow (Photo 4). Other field boundaries are fences with no bank or hedge. The less exposed hedges further downslope are generally well managed and predominantly dense Blackthorn with growth at around 1.2m atop a 1.2m high earth bank.

There are no rough margins around the fields; improved grassland (or track) extends right to the base of the hedge banks and fences.

It is considered that there will be no impact on the hedgerows as a result of the proposed development.

4.2 Species

An assessment was carried out into the suitability of the site and adjacent areas for a number of species and the likelihood of impact from the development.

a. Badgers Neither badger setts nor other signs of badgers (tracks, latrines etc) were noted during the survey. There are historical records of badgers at various locations within the parish but, given the success of this species, this is to be expected. The development (including the cable route) will have no impact on badgers.

b. Bats The guidelines from the Bat Conservation Trust recommend locating a turbine at least 50m away from the blade tip and the nearest feature (such as building, woodland, hedgerow or tree) suitable for bats to roost or forage. The proposed turbine site is considered to be of negligible value to bats for the following reasons:  It is located on an exposed, windy site on improved grassland with limited foraging value.  The nearest good hunting ground (the woodland edge) is at least 500m away from the development site and at least 40m lower in height. This area is sheltered with excellent connectivity to other suitable bat habitat, including more diverse grassland sites, further along the valley.  There are no good commuting routes, such as hedges, nearby. The field boundaries in this locality have poor connectivity and offer little shelter.  The turbine site itself is at least 70 metres away from the closest hedge  Bats would make more use of the sheltered scrub and woodland to the south of the farm buildings which link potential roosts in buildings to the extensive woodland habitat in the valley. The partially sheltered farm lane to the north-east of the farmstead has some value as a flyway linking the farmstead to the woodland further along the valley. The farm buildings are around 350m to the south of the turbine site. The foraging routes extend south of the buildings where the more vegetated areas alongside a stream provide good hunting grounds. This environment is more suited to foraging bats than that offered by the more exposed turbine site. (See Photos 5 & 6)

c. Birds The short sward of the improved grassland on the farm is unsuitable habitat for nesting birds. While birds may nest in the hedges, none of these sites are within 50 metres of the turbine location.

The short sward of the improved grassland provides no cover for small mammals (such as voles) and is therefore not suitable hunting ground for Barn Owls.

Historical data records for Peregrine Falcon, Goshawk and Red Kite are available but none are within 4km of the site. It is well-known that the Red Kite is rapidly expanding it’s territory and is regularly seen in west Carmarthenshire / east Pembrokeshire. However, given that the nearest woodland boundary is 500m away, there are no suitable nest-sites for at least 500m from the turbines. In addition, there is nothing close to the turbine site that would attract large numbers of Red Kites (eg: an abattoir or feeding station).

There are currently no national guidelines relating to small micro-turbines and no research evidence to suggest that the Red Kite population is being affected by such developments; results from on-going research being carried out by University of Stirling have not yet been published. Reference to the Yorkshire Red Kites website provided the following: “In the absence of any formal guidelines, consultation took place between YRK, Natural England and the RSPB. This resulted in an informal “rule of thumb” being proposed whereby a turbine application in which a mast was at least 500m from the nearest boundary of woodland in which kites either bred or roosted, would be accepted as “ticking the box” from the red Kite ecological viewpoint”

Taking these factors into consideration, it is considered unlikely that the proposal will have a detrimental impact on the Red Kite (or other raptor) population.

d. Other Protected Species The improved, intensively managed grassland makes it unlikely that reptiles are present within the development site.

4.3 Cumulative Impact

Two similar microturbines are approved and operating in the adjacent field, approximately 100m away from the proposed development. Other turbines could be seen working within the surrounding landscape, the closest being approximately 2km away. The existing and proposed turbines at Blaenpibydd do not form a large array and the swept area is minimal. It is not considered that there is a large cumulative impact on the biodiversity.

5.0 CONCLUSION

The proposed development is likely to have a minimal impact on birds or bats.

6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER ECOLOGICAL SURVEYS

There are no recommendations for further ecological surveys.

7.0 REFERENCES

Data records provided by West Wales Biodiversity Information Centre

Bat Conservation Trust: Microgeneration Schemes – Risks, Evidence & Recommendations

Yorkshire Red Kites website

Experimental Evidence for the Effect of Small Wind Turbine Proximity and Operation on Bird & Bat Activity. J Minderman, C Pendlebury & K Park. (Research on-going)

8.0 DISCLAIMER

This report was prepared for the specific purpose stated in “Clients Instructions” and no liability will be accepted for use for other purposes or by third parties. Information supplied by the client and third parties has been taken as being correct and no liability can be accepted for errors and omissions. It has been assumed that the client has disclosed all relevant information whether asked for or not.

,

Appendix A: Location of Proposed Micro-Turbines and Cable Route at Blaenpibydd

Appendix B: Photographs of General Area

Figure 1: General view of turbine location Figure 2: View of wider landscape looking towards existing turbines

Figure 3: Cable will be routed along existing Figure 4: Field boundaries near development track site

Figure 5: Partially sheltered trackway to north- Figure 6: Good connectivity from farm buildings east of farmstead to foraging habitat to the south