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Terrestrial Invertebrate Scoping Survey

Proposed Mineral Extraction at Land South of Alrewas Road (A513), Alrewas, Burton-on-Trent in Staffordshire

Report Reference: CE-AW-1225-RP13 - FINAL

Produced by Crestwood Environmental Ltd.

21 February 2020 Terrestrial Invertebrate Scoping Survey Proposed Mineral Extraction at Land South of Alrewas Road, Staffordshire

Crestwood Report Reference: CE-AW-1225-RP13 - FINAL:

Survey Licence Version & Date Written / Updated by: No. (If Checked & Authorised by: Status Produced applicable)

Richard Wright (Entomologist) / Lucy Cash (Associate Director) / FINAL 21/02/2020 Amy Berry (Assistant Ecologist) Jaclyn Walker (Senior Ecologist)

The information which we have prepared and provided is true, and has been prepared and provided in accordance with the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management’s Code of Professional Conduct. We confirm that the opinions expressed are our true and professional bona fide opinions.

This report has been prepared in good faith, with all reasonable skill, care and diligence, based on information provided or known available at the time of its preparation and within the scope of work agreement with the client.

We disclaim any responsibility to the client and others in respect of any matters outside the scope of the above.

The report is provided for the sole use of the named client and is confidential to them and their professional advisors unless otherwise stated in an accompanied ‘letter of reliance’ with an official Crestwood Environmental Limited letterhead. No responsibility is accepted to others.

Should any part of the report be altered or tampered, with in any way, after being issued to the Client then this will invalidate the entire document.

Crestwood Environmental Ltd. 1 & 2 Nightingale Place Pendeford Business Park Wolverhampton West Midlands WV9 5HF

Tel: 01902 229 563

Email: [email protected] Web: www.crestwoodenvironmental.co.uk

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Terrestrial Invertebrate Scoping Survey Proposed Mineral Extraction at Land South of Alrewas Road, Staffordshire

CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.2 PURPOSE AND SCOPE ...... 1 1.3 SITE LOCATION AND CONTEXT ...... 1 2 METHODOLOGY ...... 2 2.1 DESK STUDY ...... 2 2.2 HABITAT ASSESSMENT ...... 2 2.3 FIELD SURVEY ...... 2 2.4 LIMITATIONS ...... 3 3 RESULTS ...... 3 3.1 DESK STUDY ...... 3 3.2 HABITAT ASSESSMENT ...... 3 3.3 FIELD SURVEY ...... 4 3.4 OF CONSERVATION CONCERN ...... 5 4 IMPACT ASSESSMENT ...... 6 4.1 ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS AND EFFECTS ...... 6 5 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 6 6 ENHANCEMENTS ...... 7

APPENDICES

Appendix E1 Complete Species List

Appendix E2 Site Photographs

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Terrestrial Invertebrate Scoping Survey Proposed Mineral Extraction at Land South of Alrewas Road, Staffordshire

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1.1 Richard Wright, a Consultant Entomologist, undertook an Terrestrial Invertebrate Scoping Survey on behalf of Crestwood Environmental Ltd. (‘Crestwood’) in relation to a planning application for Cemex (‘the Client’) at land south of Alrewas Road (A513), Alrewas, Burton-on-Trent in Staffordshire, centred at National Grid Reference: SK 14895 15280 (‘the Site’).

1.1.2 The Client is applying for planning permission for mineral extraction with associated vegetation clearance and restoration of the Site (‘the Proposed Development’).

1.1.3 An Extended Phase 1 Habitat survey was carried out by Crestwood Environmental Ltd on 23rd April 2019. The survey identified suitable habitat for Terrestrial Invertebrates at the Application Site which included:

• Ditches;

• Dense scrub;

• Woodland;

• Hedgerows;

• Scattered trees; and

• Grassland margins.

1.1.4 The surveys were undertaken throughout 2019; however, since undertaking the surveys, the Site boundary has been altered to occupy a smaller area within the original Site boundary. The updated Site boundary, and the focus of this ecological assessment will be referred to as the ‘Application Site’ and the area in which the surveys were undertaken, where this now extends outside of the Application Site, will be referred to as ‘Wider Survey Area’.

1.2 PURPOSE AND SCOPE

1.2.1 The purpose of the survey and report is to provide ecological advice, specifically in relation to Terrestrial Invertebrates at the Site.

1.2.2 The scope of the survey was to assess the Terrestrial Invertebrate taxa within the terrestrial habitats present at the Site in order to determine the species richness of the habitat and the presence of any protected/notable species.

1.3 SITE LOCATION AND CONTEXT

1.3.1 The current land use at the Application Site is agriculture with Arable fields and field boundary Hedgerows being the dominant habitats with several Ditches and an area of Woodland being present. The red line boundary on Plate 1 indicates the Application Site and the blue line indicates the extent of Wider Survey Area.

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Plate 1 Location Plan

2 METHODOLOGY

2.1 DESK STUDY

2.1.1 Biological records for Invertebrate species within 2km of the Application Site were obtained from the local biological records centre (SER, 2019).

2.2 HABITAT ASSESSMENT

2.2.1 An assessment of the potential of the habitats present to support protected and notable Terrestrial Invertebrate species/assemblages was undertaken, together with sampling on 7th June 2019.

2.3 FIELD SURVEY

2.3.1 The majority of species were recorded by use of the sweep net, with others by direct observation and beating of trees and shrubs.

2.3.2 The data was analysed using ‘Invertebrate Species-Habitat Information System’ (‘ISIS’) (Natural England, 2007), an Excel based application developed by Natural England to identify Invertebrate assemblage types and score each assemblage type according to its conservation value.

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2.3.3 ISIS is based on a definition of an assemblage as a suite of species occurring in the same piece of homogenous habitat. Two levels of assemblage type are recognised by ISIS:

• Broad Assemblage Types (BATs): These are characterised by species that are more widespread; and

• Specific Assemblage Types (SATs): These are characterised by stenotopic species that are habitat specialists and considered to have intrinsic conservation value and are generally found on sites with conservation interest.

2.3.4 SATs are more narrowly defined in terms of habitat type than BATs and each SAT is nested within a parent BAT. Assemblage types are linked to species by a coding system that carries information on the closeness of their relationship. BATs are identified by a two digit code and SATs by a four digit code.

2.3.5 An assessment of the value of the Terrestrial Invertebrate assemblages present within a Site is then undertaken using the results generated and the species information provided by ISIS.

2.3.6 ISIS is being replaced by a new application called Pantheon (HMSO, 2019). The same data was entered into Pantheon and extra information was obtained. In Pantheon, BATs have been replaced with ‘Habitats’.

2.4 LIMITATIONS

2.4.1 The number of species recorded was partly limited by the fact that only a single Site visit was made and that only active methods could be used. Although numerous other species would undoubtedly be found with a longer survey season and the use of trapping methods, the sample taken is considered adequate for further data analysis within ISIS and Pantheon.

3 RESULTS

3.1 DESK STUDY

3.1.1 Records of 14 Terrestrial Invertebrate species within 2km of the Application Site were returned as part of the desk study concerning Bees, Moths and a Butterfly species. The records are dated 1998 – 2015 and none of the recorded species are protected within Europe or the UK.

3.2 HABITAT ASSESSMENT

3.2.1 The majority of the Application Site was dominated by Arable habitat which was a uniform monoculture crop of cereals and potatoes. No ground-flora was present within the Arable habitat at the time of the survey; therefore, the Arable habitat is considered to be of Negligible suitability for Terrestrial Invertebrates and was not considered further as part of the survey.

3.2.2 The habitats sampled as part of the survey included: Woodland, Hedgerows and narrow strips of Semi-Improved Grassland forming the field margins. Although there was some diversity within the margins, they were generally quite narrow and with a limited floral diversity, in some cases they had been recently cultivated and were largely bare ground.

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3.2.3 Ditches were also present along some of the field boundaries. The planted woodland showed very little diversity and had a very limited ground flora.

3.2.4 Example photographs of the field margins can be seen in Appendix E2.

3.3 FIELD SURVEY

3.3.1 A total of 178 species were collected. The majority of the collected species are considered likely to be found widely in the area within habitats such as hedgerows and road verges and have no conservation significance.

3.3.2 The full species list recorded at the Site can be found in Appendix E1 of this report.

3.3.3 The species list from the Application Site was fed into ISIS; not all Invertebrate species are included within ISIS and therefore 131 of the 186 sampled species were used in the analysis.

3.3.4 The largest number 70 (63.5%) of the species was allocated to BAT F2: ‘grassland and scrub matrix’. Generally, species allocated to BAT F2 are considered to be common and widespread species found in habitats such as field margins, gardens and road verges, and are of minimal conservation concern.

3.3.5 Due to the majority of the Invertebrate species being allocated to BAT F2 indicates that the Application Site is of generally little Importance for Terrestrial Invertebrates. Species allocated to BAT F2 are likely to be found in habitats such as farmland, hedgerows, field margins and road verges which are abundant habitats in the local and wider areas. These species are therefore considered to have no particular conservation significance.

3.3.6 The remaining species recorded at the Application Site fell into the following BAT groups through ISIS:

• 27 species (20.5%) were allocated to BAT A1: ‘arboreal canopy’ being species associated with hedgerow shrubs and trees in the hedgerows and woodland strip;

• Only 13 species were allocated to BAT F1: ‘unshaded early successional mosaic’ which indicates that, at this location, the field margins are of very limited interest; and

• A total of 12 species were allocated to BAT A2: ‘wood decay’, these all being common species found in even small amounts of suitable habitat.

3.3.7 Very few species (9) were allocated to SATs, which is a further indication of the low conservation significance of the Application Site for Terrestrial Invertebrates and SATs are not considered further here.

3.3.8 ISIS is being replaced by a new application called Pantheon (HMSO, 2019). The same data was entered into Pantheon and the following extra information was obtained:

• 101 species were allocated to ‘open habitats’;

• 85 species allocated to ‘tall sward and scrub’ (equivalent to ‘grassland and scrub matrix’ of ISIS); and

• The remainder being allocated to ‘short sward and bare ground’.

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3.3.9 54 species were ‘tree associated’ with:

• 29 being ‘arboreal’;

• 12 of ‘wood decay’; and

• 13 of ‘shaded woodland floor’.

3.3.10 81 species were considered to be plant feeders.

3.4 SPECIES OF CONSERVATION CONCERN

3.4.1 No species of conservation concern were recorded at the Application Site during the survey.

3.4.2 Two species of , previously considered to be of conservation concern, were recorded at the Application Site, both of the Curculionoidea ( and allies). These statuses were allocated in Hyman and Parsons (1992) (Hyman, 1992) and are therefore out of date and in need of review.

3.4.3 Temnocerus coeruleus (Rhynchitidae) is a leaf-rolling which was designated as Nationally Notable “B” (under the name Rhynchites tomentosus). It is primarily associated with Aspen tremula and a single specimen was beaten from a plant on the southern edge of the Application Site.

3.4.4 Records found on the National Biodiversity Network (NBN) (NBN, 2019) show this species to be widespread in the southern half of England and in Wales and have been widely found in the neighbouring county of Warwickshire in areas where Aspen is present.

3.4.5 Isochnus sequensi (, ) was regarded as a Red Data Book species (under the name Rhynchaenus populi) by Hyman and Pasrons (1992) (Hyman, 1992) on the basis of a few records from Kent. However, the species has spread widely since that time and recently has been recorded in several counties. There are a number of records from Leicestershire and the NBN (NBN, 2019) has a single Staffordshire record from Brownhills in 2012. This species is associated with , particularly Crack Salix x fragilis. A total of five specimens were found on the survey, beaten from large willows at various points around the Application Site, indicating a well-established population.

3.4.6 Both species are no longer considered of conservation concern and their statuses will be downgraded in the review of weevils which is presently in progress.

3.4.7 A full list of the species found can be found in Appendix E1 of this report.

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4 IMPACT ASSESSMENT

4.1 ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS AND EFFECTS

4.1.1 The following are impacts on Terrestrial Invertebrates at the Application Site as a result of the Proposed Development:

• Partial loss of Hedgerow, Poor Semi-Improved Grassland and Scattered Trees; and

• Increased dust on retained habitats.

4.1.2 The dominant impact on the Application Site as a result of the Proposed Development is the loss of Arable habitat required for mineral extraction and construction of the plant site area. Arable habitat is considered to be of Negligible suitability for Terrestrial Invertebrates and therefore no effects on Terrestrial Invertebrates are expected as a result of the loss of this habitat.

4.1.3 The loss of the remaining habitats suitable for Terrestrial Invertebrates as a result of the Proposed Development is considered to have a negligible negative effect due to the following reasons:

• Habitat loss is minimal;

• The majority of the Site is being retained;

• Abundant habitat of similar and better quality in the local and wider areas; and

• Restoration of the Application Site will include the creation of large areas of Lowland Meadow as well as 575m of additional Hedgerows and Woodland planting which will benefit Terrestrial Invertebrates.

5 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1.1 It is considered that the number of species collected, and the lack of species of conservation concern, is sufficient to conclude that the Application Site is of little specific interest for Terrestrial Invertebrates and that a full survey is not required.

5.1.2 It is considered likely that the species present at the Application Site are widespread and common species in the local area. None of the habitats present on the Application Site are of high suitability, representing conditions that are typical of much farmland in the vicinity.

5.1.3 While arable field margins can be of conservation importance, this is primarily where they are wide and uncultivated, particularly on sandy free draining soils. At this Application Site, the margins do not appear to have significant interest, although they do have a fairly diverse flora. The associated are however, all common and widespread species.

5.1.4 The Proposed Development of the Application Site is therefore considered to have negligible negative effect on local Terrestrial Invertebrate populations.

5.1.5 It is considered the restoration of the Application Site will provide a variety of new habitat types, including species-rich Lowland Meadow which will benefit Terrestrial Invertebrates.

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6 ENHANCEMENTS

6.1.1 Where possible, retention of small areas of quarry workings, such as cliffs and slopes (allowing them to colonise naturally), to retain some topographical diversity would benefit Invertebrates. The construction of bee banks within the Lowland Meadows would benefit Terrestrial Invertebrates, particularly important pollinator species.

Plate 2 Bee Bank Design (Essex County Council, 2016)

6.1.2 A number of Invertebrates use hedge banks, field margins, rough grassland and old mouse or vole holes as shelter and to nest in. These can be created through the use of small-scale rotational vegetation clearance to create areas of bare earth, creating a mosaic of habitat. Where this is not practicable ‘Invertebrate hotels’ can be created on Site to supply an artificial nesting habitat (see Plate 3 for example ‘Invertebrate hotel’).

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Plate 3 Example ‘Invertebrate Hotel’ (The Wildlife Trusts, 2016)

6.1.3 Other ecological enhancements specific to Invertebrates include the provision of log piles as many Invertebrates use log piles as a source of shelter and food. These can be built using old pieces of wood left in piles within suitable areas of habitat at the Application Site.

6.1.4 Such enhancements can be incorporated into the final design of the restoration scheme if required.

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REFERENCES

▪ Essex County Council, 2016. Mineral Site Restoration For Biodiversity; Supplementary Planning Guidance, s.l.: Essex County Council. ▪ HMSO, 2019. The Pantheon Database: habitat related traits, conservation status and taxa associations for invertebrates in England. [Online] Available at: • A total of 12 species were allocated to BAT A2: ‘wood decay’, these all being common species found in even small amounts of suitable habitat. [Accessed 2019]. ▪ Hyman, P. S. P. M. S., 1992. A review of the scarce and threatened Coleoptera of Great Britain. UK Nature Conservation, 1(3). ▪ Natural England, 2007. Surveying Terrestrial and Freshwater Invertebrates for Conservation Evaluation, s.l.: Natural England. ▪ NBN, 2019. NBN Gateway Map. [Online] Available at: https://records.nbnatlas.org/explore/your-area#52.629746999999995|- 2.157524599999988|12|ALL_SPECIES [Accessed 2019]. ▪ SER, 2019. Biological Records Report, s.l.: SER.

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Appendix E1 – Complete Species List Order Family Scientific Name Common Name Dermaptera Forficulidae Forficula auricularia Common Earwig earwigs Heteroptera Acanthosomatidae Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale Hawthorn Shieldbug true bugs Elasmostethus interstinctus Birch Shieldbug Anthocoridae Anthocoris nemoralis Anthocoris nemorum Coreidae Coreus marginatus Dock Bug Lygaediae Heterogaster urticae Scolopostethus affinis Miridae Closterotomus norwegicus Cyllecoris histrionius Deraeocoris lutescens Dicyphus errans Leptopterna dolabrata Psallus ambiguus Psallus perrisi Psallus varians Stenodema laevigata Pentatomidae Dolycoris baccarum Hairy Shieldbug Palomena prasina Common Green Shieldbug Pentatoma rufipes Red-legged Shieldbug

Auchenorrhyncha Aphrophoridae Aphrophora alni leafhoppers Philaenus spumarius Common Froghopper Cercopidae Cercopis vulnerata Cicadellidae Eupteryx aurata Eupteryx urticae Cixiidae Cixius nervosus Delphacidae Dicranotropis hamata Javesella pellucida Stenocranus minutus

Neuroptera perla lacewings Raphidioptera Raphidiidae Phaeostigma notata a snakefly snakeflies

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Order Family Scientific Name Common Name Lepidoptera Nymphalidae Aglais urticae Small Tortoiseshell butterflies Inachis io Peacock Pararge aegeria Speckled Wood Vanessa atalanta Red Admiral Pieridae Large White Pieris rapae Small White

Coleoptera Apionidae Apion frumentarium beetles Exapion ulicis Protapion apricans Byturidae Byturus tomentosus Raspberry beetle Cantharidae Cantharis cryptica Cantharis lateralis Cantharis nigricans Cantharis pellucida Rhagonycha limbata Carabidae Acupalpus dubius Cerambycidae Grammoptera ruficornis Rutpela maculata Chrysomelidae Aphthona euphorbiae Bruchus rufimanus Chaetocnema hortensis Chrysolina oricalcia Crepidodera plutus Longitarsus luridus Oulema rufocyanea Phaedon tumidulus Phyllotreta ochripes Phyllotreta undulata Psylliodes chrysocephala Psylliodes napi Adalia decempunctata 10-spot Ladybird Aphidecta obliterata Larch Ladybird Calvia quattuordecimguttata Cream-spot Ladybird

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Order Family Scientific Name Common Name Coccinella septempunctata 7-spot Ladybird axyridis Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia quadripunctata Cream-streaked Ladybird Propylea quattuordecimpunctata 14-spot Ladybird Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata 22-spot Ladybird Rhyzobius litura Tytthaspis sedecimpunctata 16-spot Ladybird Curculionidae Ceutorhynchus erysimi Ceutorhynchus obstrictus Ceutorhynchus pallidactylus Ceutorhynchus pyrrhorhynchus Ceutorhynchus typhae Curculio glandium dejeani Dorytomus taeniatus Glocianus distinctus Isochnus sequensi Nedyus quadrimaculatus pomaceus Phyllobius pyri Phyllobius roboretanus Polydrusus pterygomalis humeralis Sitona lineatus Trichosirocalus troglodytes Elateridae Agriotes acuminatus Agriotes pallidulus Agriotes sputator Athous haemorrhoidalis Dalopius marginatus Hemicrepidius hirtus Kibunea minuta Kateretidae Brachypterus glaber Brachypterus urticae Latridiidae Cortinicara gibbosa

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Order Family Scientific Name Common Name Enicmus transversus Malachiidae Malachius bipustulatus Melandryidae Conopalpus testaceus Nitidulidae Meligethes aeneus lurida Oedemera nobilis Phalacridae Olibrus aeneus Stilbus testaceus Dryophilus pusillus fulvicornis Rhynchitidae Temnocerus coeruleus Scraptiidae Anaspis fasciata Anaspis frontalis Anaspis maculata Anaspis regimbarti Staphylinidae Tachyporus hypnorum

Diptera Anisopodidae Sylvicola fenestralis flies Dolichopodidae Chrysotus gramineus Dolichopus plumipes Dolichopus ungulatus Empididae Empis stercorea Hilara maura Heleomyzidae Suillia variegata Hybotidae Platypalpus annulipes Platypalpus calceatus Platypalpus nigritarsis Platypalpus pallidiventris Lauxaniidae Meiosimyza decipiens Minettia fasciata (=rivosa) Lonchaeidae Lonchaea chorea Lonchopteridae Lonchoptera lutea Muscidae Coenosia tigrina Muscina prolapsa Phaonia tuguriorum Polietes lardarius Opomyzidae Geomyza tripunctata

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Order Family Scientific Name Common Name Opomyza florum Opomyza germinationis Scathophagidae Nanna fasciata Scathophaga stercoraria Sepsidae Sepsis fulgens Sepsis punctum Stratiomyidae Chloromyia formosa Broad Centurion Syrphidae Melanostoma mellinum Neoascia podagrica Pipizella viduata Syritta pipiens Tipulidae Nephrotoma appendiculata Ulidiidae Herina germinationis

Hymenoptera – Symphyta Cephidae Cephus pygmeus Wheat stem borer

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Appendix E2: Site Photographs

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