(CISM) Preliminary Ecological Appraisal
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Swansea University Bay Campus Centre for Integrative Semiconductor Materials (CISM) Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Swansea University Project Number: 60605215 July 2019 Swansea University Bay Campus – CISM Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Quality Information Prepared by Checked by Approved by LF LN KW LF -Ecologist LN KW Principal Ecologist Associate Director Revision History Revision Revision date Details Authorized Name Position Prepared for: Swansea University AECOM Swansea University Bay Campus – CISM Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Prepared for: Swansea University Prepared by: AECOM Limited 1 Callaghan Square Cardiff CF10 5BT UK T: +44 29 2067 4600 aecom.com © 2019 AECOM Limited. All Rights Reserved. This document has been prepared by AECOM Limited (“AECOM”) for sole use of our client (the “Client”) in accordance with generally accepted consultancy principles, the budget for fees and the terms of reference agreed between AECOM and the Client. Any information provided by third parties and referred to herein has not been checked or verified by AECOM, unless otherwise expressly stated in the document. No third party may rely upon this document without the prior and express written agreement of AECOM. Prepared for: Swansea University AECOM Swansea University Bay Campus – CISM Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Table of Contents 1. Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................................... 5 2. Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................... 6 2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................ 6 2.2 Site Location and Description .................................................................................................................................... 6 2.3 Proposed Development ................................................................................................................................................ 6 2.4 Objectives ........................................................................................................................................................................... 6 2.5 Wildlife Legislation and Planning Policy .................................................................................................................. 7 2.6 Quality Assurance ............................................................................................................................................................ 8 3. Methodology ................................................................................................................................................................. 10 3.1 Desk Study ........................................................................................................................................................................10 3.2 Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey ..........................................................................................................................10 3.3 Assessment of Bat Habitat Suitability ...................................................................................................................10 3.4 Limitations .........................................................................................................................................................................12 4. Baseline Conditions ..................................................................................................................................................... 13 4.1 Desk Study Results .......................................................................................................................................................13 4.2 Extended Phase 1 Survey ..........................................................................................................................................19 4.3 Protected and Priority Species ................................................................................................................................21 4.4 Invasive Non-Native Species Subject to Legal Controls ...............................................................................22 4.5 Bat Roost Assessment ................................................................................................................................................22 5. Ecological Constraints and Potential Impacts ...................................................................................................... 23 5.1 Development Proposal ................................................................................................................................................23 5.2 Designated Nature Conservation Sites ................................................................................................................23 5.3 Habitats ..............................................................................................................................................................................24 5.4 Protected or Notable Species ..................................................................................................................................24 6. Further Surveys, Mitigation and Enhancement .................................................................................................... 25 6.1 Further Surveys ..............................................................................................................................................................25 6.2 Recommendations for Mitigation ............................................................................................................................25 6.3 Recommendations for Biodiversity Enhancements ........................................................................................28 7. References ..................................................................................................................................................................... 29 Appendix A Wildlife Legislation and Local Planning Policy ................................................................................................ 31 Legislation – Habitats ......................................................................................................................................................................31 Legislation – Protected Species .................................................................................................................................................32 Local Planning Policy .......................................................................................................................................................................33 Appendix B Target Notes ............................................................................................................................................................ 36 Appendix C Site Photographs ................................................................................................................................................... 37 Appendix D: Planting List for Flora Industria .......................................................................................................................... 40 Figures Figure 1: Phase 1 Habitat Map ................................................................................................................................................... 30 Tables Table 3.1 Building and Tree Bat Roost Suitability Categories ........................................................................................................11 Table 3.2 Commuting and Foraging Habitat Suitability Categories ................................................................................................12 Table 4.1 Desk Study Results .........................................................................................................................................................................13 Table 4.2 Phase 1 Habitats and Descriptions ..........................................................................................................................................19 Table 4.3 Protected and Priority Species Potential ...............................................................................................................................21 Prepared for: Swansea University AECOM Swansea University Bay Campus – CISM Preliminary Ecological Appraisal 1. Executive Summary AECOM was instructed by Swansea University to carry out a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) of the proposed Centre for Integrative Semiconductor Materials (CISM), to be located at the eastern perimeter of the Swansea University Bay Campus, Fabian Way, Skewen, Swansea SA1 8EN, hereafter referred to as ‘the Site’. The central grid reference for the Site is SS 70204 92884. The boundary of the Site is shown on Figure 1. The Site is a courtyard area between existing University buildings, predominately of hardstanding paving and gravel with areas of native-species rich planting. The development proposals are to construct a new building – The Centre for Integrative Semiconductor Materials (CISM). The building’s occupied spaces will include primarily research and development laboratories, workshops, academic