Kendal FRMS Phase 1 - Kendal Linear Defences: Assessment of impacts on foraging and commuting bats

Final 31/01/2019

We are the Environment Agency. We protect and improve the environment. We help people and wildlife adapt to climate change and reduce its impacts, including flooding, drought, sea level rise and coastal erosion. We improve the quality of our water, land and air by tackling pollution. We work with businesses to help them comply with environmental regulations. A healthy and diverse environment enhances people's lives and contributes to economic growth. We can’t do this alone. We work as part of the Defra group (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs), with the rest of government, local councils, businesses, civil society groups and local communities to create a better place for people and wildlife.

Published by: © Environment Agency 2018 Environment Agency All rights reserved. This document may be Horizon House, Deanery Road, reproduced with prior permission of the Bristol BS1 5AH Environment Agency. www.gov.uk/environment-agency Further copies of this report are available from our publications catalogue: http://www.gov.uk/government/publications or our National Customer Contact Centre: 03708 506 506 Email: enquiries@environment- agency.gov.uk

2 of 14

Contents

Contents ...... 3 Assessment of impacts on foraging and commuting bats ...... 4 Data search ...... 4 Scheme Impacts ...... 6 Mitigation ...... 6 River Mint downstream of Mint Bridge, Shap Road – 75m (both banks) ...... 7 River Kent on the south side of the gravel trap – 90m (left bank) ...... 7 River Kent along Burneside Road – 70m (right bank) ...... 8 River Kent downstream of Stramongate Bridge – 100m (both banks) ...... 8 River Kent from the Scout hut on Little Aynam, along Aynam Road to Nether Bridge – 900m (left bank) ...... 8 River Kent at Low Mills – 160m (both banks) ...... 9 River Kent at Helsington Mills – 100m (right bank) ...... 10 Enhancements ...... 10 Residual impacts ...... 10 Summary ...... 11 References ...... 13

3 of 14

Kendal FRMS - Phase 1 Kendal Linear Defences: Assessment of impacts on foraging and commuting bats

The Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme (FRMS) Phase 1 - Kendal Linear Defences will require the removal of a number of trees through Kendal town centre. A preliminary assessment of the scheme has identified the potential for the works to impact on the foraging and commuting habitats of bats. This report details our assessment of those impacts. Data search Records of bat sightings and bat roosts were obtained from Cumbria Biological Records Centre (CBRC) and South Cumbria Bat Group (SCBG). These records were not collected as part of a strategic survey but include a number of records provide details of bats foraging and commuting activity through the town. Additional information can also be gleaned from considering the location of bat roosts in relation to suitable foraging habitat. The species of bats identified included: • Common pipistrelle Pipstrellus pipistrellus • Soprano pipistrelle Pipistrellus pygmaeus • Daubenton’s Myotis daubentonii • Noctule Nyctalus noctula • Brown long-eared Plecotus auritus; and • Brandt’s / Whiskered Myotis brandtii/mystacinus Roosts of common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle, and Daubenton’s bats were recorded within the town centre. Noctule and brown long-eared bat roosts were recorded within a 2km radius of the works, but outside of the zone of influence of the scheme. No roosts of Brandt’s or whiskered bats were recorded in the search area. Of the 172 post-2008 bat records the following related to activity records (i.e. commuting or foraging) or confirmed bat roosts:

Table 1: Bat species with record type Bat Species Activity Confirmed Roost Records Records Brandt’s 22 Brown Long-Eared 1 2 Common Pipistrelle 59 10 Daubenton's 19 1 (Maternity) Noctule 11 Pipistrelle species 13 1 (Maternity)

4 of 14

Soprano Pipistrelle 29 3 (including 1 maternity) Myotis / Pipistrelle 3 Unidentified species 22

Bat data collated from South Cumbria bat Group and Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre (2008 – 2018) has been analysed and is summarised in the tables below. These records have been mapped on to the Bat Record plans contained within Volume 2 of the Kendal FRMS Environmental Statement (Capita 2019).

Table 2: Bat roost records within 20, 50 and 100m buffer of the proposed works.

Bat Species Total Confirmed Records Records Records Roost Records <20m from <50m from <100m from Reach Reach Reach Common pipistrelle 3 1 1 1 Soprano pipistrelle 1 1 Daubenton’s bat 1 1

Table 3: Bat activity records within 20, 50 and 100m buffer of the proposed works. Bat Species Total number of Records Records Records activity records <20m from <50m from <100m from reach reach reach Unidentified 9 1 2 6 Common pipistrelle 18 1 3 14 Pipistrelle species 6 6 Soprano pipistrelle 17 2 2 13 Noctule 10 1 1 8 Daubenton’s bat 8 1 3 4

The survey area is considered to be of regional importance in relation to its bat population. The town centre has a number of old stone buildings which are likely to contain numerous cracks and crevices which makes it particularly suitable habitat for crevice dwellers such as common pipistrelles. The River Kent with tree-lined banks provides suitable foraging habitat for Daubenton’s bats and soprano pipistrelles. The locations of the records are as would be expected of the area with records of common pipistrelle scattered throughout the urban centre of the town, Daubenton’s bats and soprano pipistrelles generally found in the vicinity of rivers and streams and occasional records of noctules, brown long-eared and Brandt’s/whiskered bats towards the other edges of the town. Of particular note are 3 records of maternity roosts; one Daubenton’s maternity roost, one common pipistrelle maternity roost and one soprano pipistrelle maternity roost, each with in roughly 75m of the River Kent.

5 of 14

The River Kent and River Mint are likely to provide the main commuting and foraging features in the local landscape. This is likely to be important to urban populations of larger bat species as a navigational resource, connecting them to the wider landscape and to smaller bat species as a foraging resource. Scheme Impacts The scheme will provide approximately 6km of linear defences along the rivers Kent and Mint, plus a pumping station at Gooseholme Park. In order to facilitate the new defences it is anticipated that 545 trees will need to be removed, many of these are mature and semi- mature specimens along the river edge. Details of trees and hedgerows lost to the development can be found in “SPD-TRP - Kendal FRMS – PH1 KLD Tree Removal and Retention Plans A to P”; and “V2-S10-0014 - V2-S10-0023 - Kendal FRMS – PH1 KLD Trees and Hedgerows Lost to Scheme Plans”. Key area of consideration are: • River Mint downstream of Mint Bridge, Shap Road – 75m (both banks) • River Kent on the south side of the gravel trap – 90m (left bank) • River Kent along Burneside Road – 70m (right bank) • River Kent downstream of Stramongate Bridge – 100m (both banks) • River Kent from the Scout hut on Little Aynam, along Aynam Road to Nether Bridge – 900m (left bank) • River Kent at Low Mills – 160m (both banks) • River Kent at Helsington Mills – 100m (right bank) In the absence of mitigation, the loss of 545 trees from the area would result in a direct loss of foraging opportunities for a number of bat species. In addition, the loss of trees from the bank of the River Kent along Aynam Road would significantly increase the impact of light pollution reaching the river from street lighting, passing cars and neighbouring housing. The result of this would be that certain bat species would be deterred from the area due to elevated light levels, plus, the composition and distribution of insect prey species would likely be altered. The impact of this would be particularly problematic for species such as Daubenton’s bats which are particularly light sensitive heavily dependent on the water environment and adjacent vegetation for foraging. The impact of the scheme without mitigation on foraging bats is therefore expected to be moderate adverse. Riparian trees and tall shrubs are important features for commuting bats. Loss of such features can result in severance of flight routes between roosting and foraging areas resulting in significant declines in bat populations. While the river itself would remain a feature, the loss of riparian trees from a cumulative total of approximately 1.5km of the rivers Kent and Mint would result in significant disruption, although in some areas such as along Burnside Road the loss would be limited to a single bank with the trees on the opposite bank still providing some linkage. The most significantly impacted section would be the on the River Kent downstream of the Scout hut and along Aynam Road. An extensive length of river would be affected here with the majority of the trees on the left bank being lost. There is currently limited tree cover on the opposite bank to provide an alternative flight route. Additionally, the data search revealed records of two maternity roosts in buildings on the right bank of the river – one Daubenton’s maternity roost and one common pipistrelle maternity roost. Loss of commuting habitat in this location could compromise the success of such roosts. The impact of the scheme without mitigation on commuting bats is therefore considered to be major adverse. Mitigation 6 of 14

Mitigation of impacts of the scheme comprises primarily of replacement planting and timing of certain elements of the work. Replacement tree planting for the scheme is calculated to be on a replacement ratio of 6 trees planted for every 1 lost to development. This is based on replacing trees at a variety of sizes ranging from smaller transplants to semi-mature planting stock. The Landscape Masterplan drawings (Capita, 2019) indicate where larger stock sized trees are to be planted and further detail will be provided with detailed planting proposal drawings which it is anticipated will be required to be submitted via a planning condition. Every attempt has been made to replace tree cover to a density commensurate with the location and where space allows. Where this has not been possible, planting within the wider area of the proposals has been undertaken. The Landscape Planting Strategy has been designed to include a number of species that support bat populations by encouraging insect prey species in to the area. These include hawthorn, English oak, hazel, rowan, guelder rose, silver birch, ivy and bramble. The planned replacement planting at each of the key areas of impact is described below:

River Mint downstream of Mint Bridge, Shap Road – 75m (both banks) In order to construct the new flood defences it may be necessary to remove a number of mature and semi-mature trees from the private gardens on the right bank of the River Mint. It is intended that trees will be replaced within these gardens in agreement with the landowners. Discussions with the landowners have not yet been undertaken and it is possible that they may not agree to replacement tree planting on their land. For this reason the Landscape Masterplan does not show specific replacement planting in this area. Due to the lack of certainty it was not considered appropriate to include replacement tree planting in private gardens as mitigation for trees lost. On the left bank, while a number of the mature trees will need to be removed to facilitate the scheme, 3 of the trees closest to the river and a further 3 trees in the adjacent gardens will remain in-situ and will continue to provide foraging and commuting benefits. The design of the scheme along the River Mint to provide a flood wall and remove the existing embankments provides the possibility of planting trees additional on the left bank, which had not been possible previously due to the impact they could have on the flood embankment. The current scheme is therefore able to include a mixture of feathered and extra-heavy standard trees (15 - 20cm girth, 4m height) on the left bank, plus younger woodland specimens. It is therefore considered that the removal of the trees on the River Mint will have a minor temporary impact in relation to reduction of foraging opportunity in the 75m stretch downstream of Mint Bridge, however in the medium to long term (15 - 30 years) tree cover will be present for an additional 350m of the left bank, which will improve commuting links and provide additional foraging opportunities.

River Kent on the south side of the gravel trap – 90m (left bank) The Sandybottoms gravel trap is an area immediately downstream of the confluence of the rivers Kent and Mint where the river has been widened to encourage deposition of gravel before reaching the town centre and is an area that the Environment Agency routinely monitor and remove gravel from as required. This creates and area of slower water and it is expected that this area will be used primarily by Daubenton’s bats for feeding from the water’s surface and by soprano pipistrelles due to the connectivity with the floodplain and nearby trees. A narrow line of trees will be removed from a cluster of trees which were planted in the 1980s to screen the view of the industrial estate. The remaining tree group will remain intact and an additional cluster of trees which is present between this group 7 of 14

and the river’s edge will not be impacted. It is therefore considered that the proposed loss of trees here will not have an adverse effect on bat foraging or commuting.

River Kent along Burneside Road – 70m (right bank) As is the case on the River Mint, it may be necessary to remove a number of mature and semi-mature trees from the private gardens on the right bank of the River Kent. It is intended that trees will be replaced within these gardens in agreement with the landowners. Discussions with the landowners have not yet been undertaken and it is possible that they may not agree to replacement tree planting on their land. For this reason the Landscape Masterplan does not show specific replacement planting in this area. Due to the lack of certainty it was not considered appropriate to include replacement tree planting in private gardens as mitigation for trees lost. In this section the loss would be limited to a single bank. The opposite (left) bank has substantial tree cover, albeit in a relatively narrow strip between the industrial estate and the river and will therefore still provide habitat linkage. Due to the confined nature of the left bank, additional planting is not possible. As only a small stretch is impacted this is not considered to have a significant impact on foraging or commuting opportunities and no mitigation has been proposed in this area.

River Kent downstream of Stramongate Bridge – 100m (both banks) Tree cover here is patchy with 8 mature and semi-mature trees present on the left bank and 3 on the right bank, all of which would likely need to be removed as part of the scheme. This stretch of river includes Stramongate Weir; the most significant weir through the town. The slacker water upstream of the weir provides good foraging habitat for Daubenton’s bats and it is relatively confined and shaded by the tall buildings on either side of the river. Downstream of the weir the floodplain opens up onto Gooseholme Park which is a well-used amenity area with street lighting. A pipistrelle roost has previously been recorded within Stramongate Bridge, although no signs of a roost were found during the surveys to inform this proposal. The proposed tree replacement in this stretch includes 8 semi-mature trees (20-30cm girth, 6m+ height) which is considered adequate to mitigate the loss with very minor impacts. In addition, an avenue of semi-mature trees is proposed along the river side of the footpath within Gooseholme Park, immediately downstream of this reach which is considered to provide additional enhancement to foraging and commuting in this area.

River Kent from the Scout hut on Little Aynam, along Aynam Road to Nether Bridge – 900m (left bank) This is a long stretch of river bank with a substantial number of large mature trees which are no doubt a significant resource for the local bat population. A number of alternative approaches to try and avoid the need to remove so many of these trees were considered during scheme design but none proved viable. This reach can be broken down further based on the proposed mitigation: • Scout hut to Miller Bridge (~100m) Approximately 25 trees (a mixture of birch, beech, elm, yew, sycamore and holly) will need to be removed to allow for construction of the flood defences. Due to the lack of space behind the Funeral Care building it will not be possible to replace the trees lost in this area. The opposite bank is currently devoid of tree cover and is primarily amenity 8 of 14

grassland; the two trees set back along the road will also need to be removed. This amenity grassland is part of New Road Common which up until recently was used for car parking. The Common Land designation restricts how this area can be used and therefore it is not a suitable area for replacement tree planting. It may be possible to plant low growing / climbing species such as ivy and bramble along the base of the new flood defence but this will not mitigate for the loss of trees. This impact on bat foraging and commuting in this area is considered to be moderate, although it is only for a relatively short stretch. • Aynam Road – Miller Bridge to Abbott Hall (~500m) This stretch of the river contains the highest number of substantial mature trees with a mixture of native and ornamental species offering a great deal of diversity. In this area approximately 40 mature trees will be removed and it will only be possible to retain 10 of the existing trees. Specific consideration has been given to the replacement tree planting on Aynam Road from an environmental and visual amenity perspective. As an area with high visibility this area will include a significant number of semi-mature trees. The indicative numbers allow for 27 semi-mature trees, 20 extra-heavy standard trees and 23 feathered trees and will seek to mirror the current species composition as far as possible. This will include at least 7 flowering cherry trees to replace those present. Trees will be combined with understory planting to increase the biodiversity value. Along Aynam Road it is proposed to use ornamental tree and shrub species where they address the road but for planting closer to the river, native tree and shrub species will be used in keeping with the SAC designation. Given the proximity to potential maternity roosts in this section, careful consideration of the timing of vegetation removal and replacement is required to avoid significant impacts on nursing and juvenile bats during summer months. Removal of trees and shrubs in this stretch must only be undertaken once bats have entered hibernation in autumn / winter and replacement planting must be in place by their emergence the following spring. In the short term, it is considered that there will be an adverse effect on bats in this stretch while the replacement vegetation establishes. It is likely that there will be an initial moderate adverse effect, reducing to minor adverse after 15 years and negligible after 30 years. • Aynam Road – Abbott Hall to Nether Bridge (~250m) Where the verge along Aynam Road narrows towards Nether Bridge, there is insufficient space to retain any of the trees as part of the scheme as a number of these trees are growing out of the current river wall. These are primarily self-seeded trees which have established since the Kendal Flood Alleviation Scheme was completed in the 1970s and are now semi-mature. It will not be possible to plant larger trees as mitigation for those lost due to limited space. Planting in this area will incorporate groundcover species such as ivy and smaller shrubs to provide interest and diversity. This is not likely to fully mitigate for the loss of vegetation in this area, although it should be noted that there is an absence of connected vegetation downstream of Nether Bridge therefore its importance as a commuting route is uncertain. It is expected that the result of the scheme in this reach would be a minor negative impact.

River Kent at Low Mills – 160m (both banks) Although the tree line here is still only a double line of trees, the large specimens overhang the channel and in the absence of maintenance, a line of self-seeded young trees has formed along the river edge and marginal habitat has developed. In this area some of the 9 of 14

trees will need to be removed from a 160m section on both banks in order to make way for a combination of flood wall and embankment, although the marginal habitat will not be affected. On the left bank, only a portion of the self-seeded trees will be removed, with those closest to the river remaining unaffected. On the right bank, it may be necessary to remove all of the riverside trees. Once the works are complete, replacement planting will be undertaken, including 11 extra-heavy standard trees, 11 feathered trees and 117 smaller woodland transplant trees. This is likely to have a minor temporary impact on foraging and commuting in the first 5 years. In the longer term the impact will be negligible. Tree cover continues both upstream and downstream of these new defences on both banks which will continue to provide a commuting route ensuring the impact is not significant.

River Kent at Helsington Mills – 100m (right bank) The area around Helsington Mills and Watercook is predominantly open farmland with woodland and tree cover primarily confined to the river’s edge and also present is a large weir controlling flows. This area include Scroggs Wood which is an Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland managed by the Woodland Trust. The area is therefore likely to be highly suitable for a number of different species of foraging bats. The alignment of the defences in this area has been designed to avoid impacting the majority of the trees although it is likely that some of the mature ash, beech and sycamore trees on the back of the embankment downstream from Helsington Weir may be affected. Given the volume and diversity of alternative foraging opportunities in this reach it is unlikely that the loss of these trees will have any significant impact. Mitigation planting is proposed in this area, although this will incorporate much younger specimens which are likely to take up to 30 years to reach maturity. Until this point is it likely that there will be a minor adverse impact on bats. Enhancements In addition to the in-situ replacement tree planting, and the planned additional riverside planting on the River Mint and Gooseholme Park, the scheme also includes significant improvements to two areas of floodplain which are currently comprised of semi-improved rank grassland. Proposals at Mintsfeet involve the planting of over 2000 woodland tree specimens, plus 0.5ha of wetland habitat creation, deculverting of an existing watercourse and additional species rich grassland over an area of approximately 5ha. This area would be managed as an active floodplain for biodiversity benefits. The area would provide additional foraging opportunities for bats and in time potential additional roost features. Approximately 650m south of the Mintsfeet area the scheme also proposes creation of almost 1ha of riparian woodland with adjacent marginal habitat. Both areas would be subject to an ongoing management plan. The full benefits of these areas for bats would not be realised immediately but it is anticipated that within 15 years they will provide a moderate beneficial effect for foraging bats and after 30 years would also be providing a moderate benefit in terms of linking commuting routes. Residual impacts The largest impacts of the scheme will be realised in the short to medium term between 0 – 15 years post construction, with the greatest impacts seen on the River Kent along Aynam Road where there could be a moderate adverse effect, plus minor adverse effects along the River Mint and at Helsington Mills to the south of the town. After 15 years it is expected that the replacement planting included as part of the scheme will have matured 10 of 14

to the extent that most impacts will be negligible, with minor adverse effect still possible along Aynam Road and Helsington Mills. At this point it is also expected that some of the benefits from the newly created habitats at Mintsfeet and Beezon Fields will be realised. By 30 years post-completion it is expected that any residual impact on foraging and commuting bats will be negligible and the full benefits of the habitat creation will ensure that the scheme results in net benefit for bats. A comprehensive monitoring programme will be undertaken so that the use of the existing vegetation, by foraging and commuting bats, is undertaken. This must commence before the trees are removed, following bat survey methodology in Collins (2016), and continue for one year after the scheme is completed. Post construction monitoring must also monitor the use of areas of habitat creation by commuting and foraging bats. Summary Table 4: Summary of scheme impacts Reach Proposed Impact of work Impact of work Impact of work mitigation including including including mitigation - mitigation - mitigation - Year 1 Year 15 Year 30

River Mint 24 extra-heavy Minor adverse Negligible Minor beneficial downstream of standard / Mint Bridge, feathered trees Shap Road – 500 small 75m (both woodland and banks) scrub plants River Kent on None proposed Negligible None None the south side of the gravel trap – 90m (left bank) River Kent None proposed Negligible None None along Burneside Road – 70m (right bank) River Kent 8 semi-mature Minor adverse Negligible Negligible downstream of trees Stramongate Bridge – 100m (both banks) Scout hut to Inclusion of low Moderate Moderate Moderate Miller Bridge growing / adverse adverse adverse (~100m) climbing plants Aynam Road – 27 semi-mature Moderate Minor adverse Negligible Miller Bridge trees adverse to Abbott Hall (~500m)

11 of 14

43 extra-heavy standard / feathered trees Understory / scrub planting Removal and replanting of trees within a single hibernation period Aynam Road – 14 shrubs Minor adverse Minor adverse Minor adverse Abbott Hall to Understory and Nether Bridge ground cover (~250m) planting River Kent at 22 extra-heavy Minor adverse Negligible Negligible Low Mills – standard / 160m (both feathered trees banks) 117 small woodland and scrub plants River Kent at 164 small Minor adverse Minor adverse Negligible Helsington woodland and Mills – 100m scrub plants (right bank) Mintsfeet Proposed Minor beneficial Moderate Moderate - habitat beneficial major beneficial enhancement - 5ha of woodland, species rich grassland and wetland habitat

Beezon Fields Proposed Minor beneficial Moderate Moderate habitat beneficial beneficial enhancement - 1ha woodland and marginal habitat

12 of 14

References Andrews H et al. 2016. Bat Tree Habitat Key (3rd Edition). AEcol, Bridgwater BSI Standards Publication (2015). BS8596:2015; Surveying for bats in trees and woodland - Guide. The British Standards Institution Capita (2019) V1-ES Kendal FRMS – PH1 KLD Environmental Statement Capita (2019) Landscape Planting Strategy, Kendal FRMS Collins, J. (ed.) (2016) Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists: Good Practice Guidelines (3rd edn). The Bat Conservation Trust, London. Dietz, C., Nill, D. & von Helversen, O. (2009) Bats of Britain, Europe and Northwest Africa. Natural England (undated). Standing Advice Species Sheet: Bats

13 of 14

Would you like to find out more about us or your environment? Then call us on 03708 506 506 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm) email [email protected] or visit our website www.gov.uk/environment-agency incident hotline 0800 807060 (24 hours) floodline 0345 988 1188 (24 hours) Find out about call charges (www.gov.uk/call-charges) Environment first: Are you viewing this onscreen? Please consider the environment and only print if absolutely necessary. If you are reading a paper copy, please don’t forget to reuse and recycle.

14 of 14