WYKES ENGINEERING FORMER RAF BASE, CHELVESTON Ecological Assessment April 2008 ECO-1026.EcoAs(Biomass).vf COPYRIGHT The copyright of this document remains with Aspect Ecology The contents of this document therefore must not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part for any purpose without the written consent of Aspect Ecology. PROTECTED SPECIES This report contains sensitive information relating to protected species. The information contained herein should not be disseminated without the prior consent of Aspect Ecology. Aspect Ecology Ltd Hardwick Business Park Noral Way Banbury Oxfordshire OX16 2AF t 01295 276066 f 01295 265072 e [email protected] w www.aspect-ecology.com CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION 1 2 SURVEY METHODOLOGY 2 3 HABITATS & ECOLOGICAL FEATURES 6 4 FAUNAL USE OF THE SITE 15 5 ECOLOGICAL EVALUATION & ASSESSMENT 19 6 SUMMARY 33 PLANS PLAN ECO1 Site Location PLAN ECO2 Ecological Designations PLAN ECO3 Ecological Features PHOTOGRAPHS PHOTOGRAPH 1 Overall View of Site and Semi-improved Pasture PHOTOGRAPH 2 View of Plantation PL5 PHOTOGRAPH 3 View of Veteran Tree PHOTOGRAPH 4 View of Pond P4 PHOTOGRAPH 5 View of Pond P5 PHOTOGRAPH 6 View of Old Industrial Unit (B1) PHOTOGRAPH 7 View of Former MOD Structures (B2) PHOTOGRAPH 8 View of Nissan Huts PHOTOGRAPH 9 View of Field Drain PHOTOGRAPH 10 View of Badger Sett BS3 APPENDICES APPENDIX 1 Information Obtained from Natural England, including MAGIC and Nature on the Map APPENDIX 2 Great Crested Newt 2007 Survey Results APPENDIX 3 Badger Sett Definitions RAF Chelveston Aspect Ecology Baseline Ecological Assessment 1026.EcoAs(Biomass).vf April 2008 1. INTRODUCTION Background & Proposals 1.1. Aspect Ecology was originally commissioned by Wykes Engineering in 2005 to undertake a baseline ecological study of land comprising a former RAF base at Chelveston, East Northamptonshire (see Plan ECO1), with a number of detailed ecological surveys carried out between 2005 and 2007. The results of the baseline work have been published by Aspect Ecology within two separate reports entitled “Baseline Ecological Assessment” and “Baseline Ornithological Assessment”, both dated July 2007. 1.2. The present report provides a synthesis of the previous ecological studies and includes a specific assessment of the likely ecological effects of the proposed biomass anaerobic digestion plant (proposed location edged red on Plan ECO1). Site Characteristics 1.3. The site is bounded on all sides by farmland, mostly in the form of arable and associated farm buildings, with the exception of a short section of the south- western site boundary, which is bounded by residential dwellings. The site itself is dominated by grazed pasture, while other prominent ecological features within the site include mixed plantations and hedgerows, which are largely confined to the boundaries, several ditches and a number of ponds. 1.4. The site is not subject to any statutory or non-statutory nature conservation designations. The nearest statutory designation to the proposed development is Yelden Meadows Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) which lies approximately 0.4km to the south-east of the site (see Plan ECO2). The next nearest statutory designation is the recently notified Nene Valley Gravel Pits SSSI/potential Special Protection Area (pSPA)/pRamsar, which lies approximately 3.6km to the north-west of the site. 1 RAF Chelveston Aspect Ecology Baseline Ecological Assessment 1026.EcoAs(Biomass).vf April 2008 2. SURVEY AND ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY 2.1. The methodology utilised for the survey work can be split into 3 main areas, namely desk study, habitat survey and faunal survey. These are discussed in more detail below. Desktop Study 2.2. In order to compile background information on the site and its immediate surroundings the following organisations were contacted: • English Nature • Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Peterborough Wildlife Trust • Bedford Badger Group • Bedfordshire Bat Group • Bedfordshire and Luton Biodiversity Recording & Monitoring Centre • North Northamptonshire Badger Group • Northamptonshire Bat Group • Northamptonshire County Bird Recorder • Northamptonshire Herpetofauna Recorder • Northamptonshire Botanical Society for the British Isles • National Biodiversity Network Database 2.3. Where information has been received from the above organisations this is reproduced where appropriate on Plan ECO2. 2.4. Further information on designated sites from a wider search area was also obtained from the online Multi-Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside (MAGIC) database, which utilises data provided by Natural England, and Natural England’s website (www.natureonthemap.org.uk). This information is reproduced at Appendix 1, and where appropriate on Plan ECO2. Habitat Survey 2.5. Surveys were carried out to ascertain the general ecological value of the land contained within the boundaries of the site and to identify the main habitats and 2 RAF Chelveston Aspect Ecology Baseline Ecological Assessment 1026.EcoAs(Biomass).vf April 2008 associated plant species, with notes on faunal species using the site also recorded. 2.6. Extended Phase 1 The site was surveyed in March and April 2006 based on extended Phase 1 survey methodology, as recommended by Natural England, whereby the habitat types present are identified and mapped, together with an assessment of the species composition of each habitat. This technique provides an inventory of the basic habitat types present and allows identification of areas of greater potential which require further survey. Any such areas identified can then be examined in more detail. 2.7. Using the above method, the site was classified into areas of similar botanical community types with a representative sample of those species present at the time of the site survey being described. It is upon this that the ecological assessment is based. Faunal Surveys 2.8. The site was examined for evidence of the potential presence of protected species or species of conservation concern, whilst observations were also made of general faunal activity during the period of the surveys. In addition, specific survey work was undertaken for Badgers, bats, Great Crested Newts and reptiles, and a breeding and wintering bird survey was also completed (the full bird survey methodology and results are reported separately within Aspect Ecology’s “Baseline Ornithological Assessment”, dated July 2007, with only summary information produced within the present report where relevant). 2.9. Badgers. Specific surveys were undertaken to search for evidence of Badgers. The surveys comprised of two main elements. Firstly, searching thoroughly for evidence of Badger setts. For any setts that were encountered each sett entrance was noted and plotted even if the entrance appeared disused. The following information was recorded: i) The number and location of well used or very active entrances; these are clear from any debris or vegetation and are obviously in regular use and may, or may not, have been excavated recently. 3 RAF Chelveston Aspect Ecology Baseline Ecological Assessment 1026.EcoAs(Biomass).vf April 2008 ii) The number and location of inactive entrances; these are not in regular use and have debris such as leaves and twigs in the entrance or have plants growing in or around the edge of the entrance. iii) The number of disused entrances; these have not been in use for some time, are partly or completely blocked and cannot be used without considerable clearance. If the entrance has been disused for some time all that may be visible is a depression in the ground where the hole used to be and the remains of the spoil heap. 2.10. Secondly, Badger activity such as well-worn paths and run-throughs, snagged hair, footprints, latrines and foraging signs was recorded so as to build up a picture of the use of the site by Badgers. 2.11. Bats. The buildings within the site were appraised for their potential to support roosting bats based on external and, where access was possible, internal inspections. In addition, the trees within the site were also appraised for their likely potential to support bat roosts. 2.12. For a tree to be classed as having some potential for roosting bats it would usually support one or more of the following characteristics: − obvious holes, e.g. rot holes and old woodpecker holes − dark staining on the tree below a hole − tiny scratch marks around a hole from bats’ claws − cavities, splits and/or loose bark from broken or fallen branches, lightning strikes etc. − very dense covering of mature ivy over trunk 2.13. Great Crested Newts. The waterbodies at/adjacent to the site were surveyed for amphibians over 6 visits between April and June 2007 during suitable weather conditions (night-time air temperature >5°C, with little or no wind, and no rain) using three methods per visit (torch survey, bottle-trapping and netting) in accordance with the ‘Great Crested Newt Mitigation Guidelines’ (English Nature, 2001) to establish the presence or absence of Great Crested Newts. 4 RAF Chelveston Aspect Ecology Baseline Ecological Assessment 1026.EcoAs(Biomass).vf April 2008 2.14. Torch counting involved the use of high-powered torches to find and, if possible, count the number of adults of each amphibian species. As recommended in the guidelines the entire margin of the waterbodies, where possible, was walked once, slowly checking for Great Crested Newts. 2.15. Bottle-trapping involved setting traps made from 2-litre plastic bottles around the waterbody margins, and leaving the traps set overnight before checking them the following morning. A density of one trap per two metres of shoreline was utilised, where possible, as recommended by the guidelines. 2.16. In theory, netting involves sampling for a period dictated by the size of the water body, and the guidelines recommend 15 minutes of search time for every 50 metres of shoreline. 2.17. Common Reptiles. The site was surveyed for reptiles between June and July 2006. A total of 500 refugia (or `tins`) in the form of 50 x 50cm squares of thick roofing felt were strategically placed at approximately 10m intervals at ground level in suitable reptile habitat across the site.