DOCSLIB.ORG

Great Crested Newt Survey Report Backbridge Farm Persimmon July 2017

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Great Crested Newt Survey Report Backbridge Farm Persimmon July 2017 Great Crested Newt Survey Report Backbridge Farm Persimmon July 2017 23 Short Lane Long Ashton Bristol BS41 9EH www.iesconsult.co.uk 0117 9113834 07977 437567 [email protected] Integrated Ecological Solutions Ltd is a Registered Company in England and Wales No. 06941706 IES/2016/044 Backbridge Farm GCN Report Quality Assurance Job Number: IES/2016/044 Project Name: Backbridge Farm GCN Report Revision Description Originator Checked Authorised Date Number 001 Draft for TT TT June 2016 Comment 002 Final – TT TT July 2017 updated with new layout - 2 - IES/2016/044 Backbridge Farm GCN Report Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4 1 INTRODUCTION 5 2 METHODOLOGY 6 3 RESULTS 8 4 EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 13 5 CONCLUSIONS 16 6 REFERENCES 17 FIGURE 1: SITE LOCATION 18 FIGURE 2: SURVEY AREA 20 FIGURE 3: PONDS WHERE PRESENCE/ABSENCE SURVEYS WERE CARRIED OUT 22 FIGURE 4: EDNA SURVEY LOCATIONS 24 FIGURE 5: SURVEY RESULTS 26 FIGURE 6: POPULATION SIZE CLASSES 28 APPENDIX A: NOTES AND LIMITATIONS 30 APPENDIX B: ADAS EDNA METHODOLOGY 31 - 3 - IES/2016/044 Backbridge Farm GCN Report Executive Summary IES Consulting were instructed by Persimmon Homes to undertake a great crested newt survey at land adjacent to Backbridge Farm, Malmesbury, Wiltshire. The aim of this study was to determine the use of the site, and ponds within 5oom of the site, by great crested newts. The site is heavily grazed grassland and no ponds are present within the site boundary, however it provides terrestrial habitat for great crested newts. It is proposed to build 227 residential dwellings on the site. In 2013, Thompson Ecology carried out a great crested newt survey on land within 500m of the proposed Dyson Headquarters Expansion to the north of the Backbridge Farm site. The Dyson development is immediately adjacent to the Backbridge Farm proposed development site, and the habitat present is contiguous with the habitat on the Backbridge Farm site. This survey identified 14 ponds with the potential to support great crested newts, nine of which were subsequently shown to support great crested newts. Figure 2 shows the ponds previously surveyed and the 500m buffer zone from the Backbridge Farm site. Great crested newts (Triturus cristatus) are protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and are listed under Schedule 2 of the Habitats Regulations 2010. Great crested newts breed in ponds and associated wetlands features and hibernate in surrounding suitable terrestrial habitat such as hedgerows, rubble piles, log piles and wooded areas. Breeding ponds, routes to and from hibernating areas, terrestrial foraging areas and the hibernating areas are protected (as places of shelter) and must be identified through survey work. In order to undertake work which will affect habitats known to support great crested newts, a derogation licence must be obtained from Natural England. This allows otherwise unlawful work to proceed legally. There are ten waterbodies within 500m of the site boundary which support great crested newts, with a further waterbody (SW12) just outside the 500m buffer zone. Pond SW10 was dry throughout the survey period, and whilst this remains true can be discounted from any future survey effort. Ponds SW1, SW9, SW13, SW14, N1 and N3 do not support great crested newts. The remaining ponds have all been shown to support small or medium populations of great crested newts, and the ponds within a 500m survey area of the site as a whole support a medium population of great crested newts. Recommendations have been made for site enhancement in order to maintain and increase the population on the site. Overall it is felt that the current level of survey effort has identified the location of great crested newts on the site, and sufficient information on presence/absence and population size has been provided. Principles for gaining a European Protected Species Licence have been provided. - 4 - IES/2016/044 Backbridge Farm GCN Report 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background 1.1.1 IES Consulting were instructed by Persimmon Homes to undertake a great crested newt survey at land adjacent to Backbridge Farm, Malmesbury, Wiltshire, and centered on Grid Reference ST923883. A site location plan can be seen in Figure 1. 1.1.2 The aim of this study was to determine the use of the site, and ponds within 5oom of the site, by great crested newts. The site is heavily grazed grassland and no ponds are present within the site boundary, however it provides terrestrial habitat for great crested newts. 1.2 Development Proposals 1.2.1 It is proposed to build 227 residential dwellings on the site. 1.3 Previous Survey Work 1.3.1 In 2013, Thompson Ecology carried out a great crested newt survey on land within 500m of the proposed Dyson Headquarters Expansion to the north of the Backbridge Farm site. The Dyson development is immediately adjacent to the Backbridge Farm proposed development site, and the habitat present is contiguous with the habitat on the Backbridge Farm site. 1.3.2 This survey identified 14 ponds with the potential to support great crested newts, nine of which were subsequently shown to support great crested newts. Figure 2 shows the ponds previously surveyed and the 500m buffer zone from the Backbridge Farm site. 1.4 Legislative Background 1.4.1 Great crested newts (Triturus cristatus) are protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and are listed under Schedule 2 of the Habitats Regulations 2010. 1.4.2 Great crested newts breed in ponds and associated wetlands features and hibernate in surrounding suitable terrestrial habitat such as hedgerows, rubble piles, log piles and wooded areas. Breeding ponds, routes to and from hibernating areas, terrestrial foraging areas and the hibernating areas are protected (as places of shelter) and must be identified through survey work. 1.4.3 In order to undertake work which will affect habitats known to support great crested newts, a derogation licence must be obtained from Natural England. This allows otherwise unlawful work to proceed legally. - 5 - IES/2016/044 Backbridge Farm GCN Report 2 METHODOLOGY 2.1.1 Notes and limitations are provided in Table 13 and Appendix A. 2.2 eDNA Testing of Ponds 2.2.1 The previous survey work demonstrated that 4 ponds had no evidence of use by great crested newts (SW1, SW9, SW10 – which was dry on all previous survey visits, and SW13). SW12 was shown to support a population of great crested newts but was outwith the 500m survey area from the edge of the development site. SW14 was also shown previously not to support great crested newts, but was not a candidate for eDNA testing due to water levels and suspended sediment. 2.2.2 It was therefore agreed with Jon Taylor (Wiltshire County Council Ecologist) that eDNA testing should be used on these ponds (with the exception of SW14) to verify that their status had not changed with respect to supporting great crested newts. 2.2.3 Water samples were collected from these ponds on 16th May 2016 according to the methodology prescribed by ADAS (Appendix B). These were then couriered to the ADAS laboratory on 18th May. SW10 was again dry at the time of survey. 2.3 Presence/Absence Surveys 2.3.1 Four presence/absence surveys were done on the remaining ponds with the exception of SW14 which did not contain great crested newts in any of the previous surveys, and had too little water and was too turbid with suspended sediment to allow successful eDNA testing. In addition, three new ponds had been completed on the land to the north at the time of the surveys, and these were included in the survey effort. Figures 3 and 4 show the location of each pond and the survey type carried out. 2.3.2 The surveys were carried out in accordance with the Great Crested Newt Conservation Handbook (Froglife 2001) and the Great Crested Newt Mitigation Guidelines (English Nature 2001), which are the current best practice guidance. Surveys were carried out by Tilly Tilbrook MCIEEM (Class Licence # 2016-19371-CLS-CLS) assisted by Vilas Anthwal, Luke Metcalf and Eleanor Hewins, all of whom are experienced ecological surveyors. 2.3.3 A combination of bottle-trapping, torching and netting was used at each pond, and four visits were undertaken at each pond. It was not considered that six visits were required because this was an update of the work undertaken in 2013, and great crested newts were known to still be present in the area following a translocation exercise on the land to the north. Bottle Trapping 2.3.4 Traps were set containing an air bubble and were not left for longer than 17 hours overnight. All were checked and removed before 11am the following day. This complies with the Great Crested Newt Mitigation Guidelines welfare considerations (page 57). A density of approximately one trap per two meters of shoreline was used, however in places accessibility issues meant a reduced trapping effort had to be undertaken. It is not considered that this affected the results since it is known to be very difficult to accurately - 6 - IES/2016/044 Backbridge Farm GCN Report assess population size for this species, and because the results were to verify the work undertaken in 2013. Torching 2.3.5 The entire margin of each pond was walked slowly, and a 1 million candlepower equivalent torch used to shine into the water. Any great crested newts seen were counted and recorded. Netting 2.3.6 A long-handled dip net was used to sample the area around the pond edge, with 15 minutes of netting undertaken per 50m of shoreline.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Doc-5.2-ES-ENC-App-5.7-Great-Crested-Newt-Report.Pdf, 1.35 MB
    Roxhill (Junction 15) Ltd Northampton Gateway, Northampton GREAT CRESTED NEWT SURVEY REPORT May 2018 Great-Crested Newt Report fpcr FPCR Environment and Design Ltd Registered Office: Lockington Hall, Lockington, Derby DE74 2RH Company No. 07128076. [T] 01509 672772 [F] 01509 674565 [E] [email protected] [W] www.fpcr.co.uk This report is the property of FPCR Environment and Design Ltd and is issued on the condition it is not reproduced, retained or disclosed to any unauthorised person, either wholly or in part without the written consent of FPCR Environment and Design Ltd. Ordnance Survey material is used with permission of The Controller of HMSO, Crown copyright 100018896. Rev Issue Status Prepared / Date Approved / Date - Draft 1 SJN / 03.01.18 RJS / 15.01.18 A PH / 11.05.18 PH / 11.05.18 J:\5700\5772\ECO\GCN\2017\GCN Report\5772 App 5.7 GCN Report.Docx 1 Great-Crested Newt Report fpcr CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. 3 2.0 LEGISLATION ...................................................................................................................... 4 3.0 METHODOLOGY .................................................................................................................. 6 4.0 RESULTS & ASSESSMENT .............................................................................................. 10 5.0 IMPACT ASSESSMENT & MITIGATION STRATEGY ....................................................... 18 TABLES Table 1: HSI Scores
    [Show full text]
  • Great Crested Newt Survey of Catsfield Cep School, East Sussex
    GREAT CRESTED NEWT SURVEY OF CATSFIELD C.E.P SCHOOL, EAST SUSSEX (TQ 728 135) ON BEHALF OF MACKELLAR SCHWERDT ARCHITECTS JUNE 2009 BARRY KEMP CONSERVATION LIMITED ‘Amblehurst’ Nevill Road Crowborough East Sussex TN6 2RA (t) 01892 663942 (f) 01892 613341 (m) 07780 665177 (e) [email protected] Barry Kemp Conservation Ltd – Catsfield CEP School report : June 2009 1 CONTENTS 1.0 Introduction 2.0 Legal Protection of reptiles & amphibians 3.0 Location of site 4.0 Existing records 5.0 Habitat 6.0 Great crested newt survey 7.0 Results 8.0 Survey constraints 9.0 Interpreting the results 10.0 Assessment of risk to GCN by the proposed development 11.0 Interpreting the legislation 12.0 Risk avoidance measures 13.0 Conclusions 14.0 Recommendations 15.0 References Appendix Barry Kemp Conservation Ltd – Catsfield CEP School report : June 2009 2 1.0 Introduction This report was commissioned by MACKELLAR SCHWERDT ARCHITECTS to establish the presence or absence of Great crested newts (Triturus cristatus) within the school pond and to help inform any possible mitigation measures prior to a planning application to East Sussex County Council to construct a new pre school building. 2.0 Legal Protection of reptiles & amphibians The Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 protects Grass snake (Natrix natrix), Adder (Vipera berus) Slow-worm (Anguis fragilis) and Common lizard (Zootoca vivipara) against deliberate killing and injuring (subsection 9.1) In addition the Sand lizard (Lacerta agilis), Smooth snake (Coronella austriaca), Natterjack toad (Bufo calamita) and Great crested newt receive full protection under the Act and are also protected under the Conservation Regulations of 1994 (Natural Habitats) .
    [Show full text]
  • GREAT CRESTED NEWT MITIGATION SCHEME: Laneside Quarry, Kirkheaton, Huddersfield
    GREAT CRESTED NEWT MITIGATION SCHEME: Laneside Quarry, Kirkheaton, Huddersfield Introduction Laneside Quarry is a large (22.5 hectares) shale and sandstone quarry on the eastern side of Kirkheaton, West Yorkshire. Quarrying and brickwork operations ceased at the site in the 1990s and permission has since been obtained by The Casey Group to use for the site for landfill. In 2002, Great Crested Newts (Triturus cristatus) were detected in two large ponds and several smaller pools on the bed of the quarry. The Great Crested Newt receives full protection under European and UK wildlife legislation. Description and Status of Great Crested Newts The Great Crested Newt is the UK’s largest newt and can reach a length of up to 170mm. Great Crested Newts can be distinguished from the other two British species of newts by their size (Great Crested Newts are larger and much darker than other species). In the breeding season the male Great Crested Newts have a jagged crest along their back which is separated from a smoother crest along the tail. Adult male Great Crested Newt Great Crested Newts have suffered and major decline in Britain over the last century this is thought to be as a result of the loss of natural breeding sites (marl pit ponds), drainage of wetlands, silting up of ponds, fragmentation of habitats as a result of development and the loss of habitats such as grasslands and woodlands used by newts for hibernation and shelter. Local and national surveys have estimated rates of colony loss in England at between 0.5% and 4% a year during the 1960’s to 1990’s; this is equivalent to the loss of 40,000 breeding ponds in 30 years (English Nature 2001).
    [Show full text]
  • Artificial Egg-Strip Surveying for Detection of Pond-Breeding Newts: Does Egg-Strip Substrate Matter?
    SALAMANDRA 53(4) 494–500 30 OctoberOlivia 2017 CharltonISSN &0036–3375 Todd Lewis Artificial egg-strip surveying for detection of pond-breeding newts: Does egg-strip substrate matter? Olivia Charlton1 & Todd R. Lewis2 1) 29 Park Stenak, Carharrack, Redruth, TR16 5SL, UK 2) Westfield, 4 Worgret Road, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 4PJ, UK Corresponding author: Olivia Charlton, e-mail: [email protected] Manuscript received: 7 December 2016 Accepted: 6 March 2017 by Alexander Kupfer Abstract. Survey methods for detecting newts (Salamandridae: Pleurodelinae) in ponds by identifying presence of eggs laid during their aquatic breeding condition are useful and often deployed across various population surveillance activi- ties. Egg-strip surveying is an effective way of detecting newt presence in a pond by providing an egg-laying medium for newts that can be selectively inspected by a surveyor. In this study we deployed a series of different plastic substrates to investigate substrate laying preference by three species of newts; Lissotriton helveticus, L. vulgaris and Triturus cristatus. Our results revealed that L. helveticus and L. vulgaris significantly preferred green and longer varieties of black egg-strip substrate over a thicker less pliable plastic substrate. Contrastingly T. cristatus exhibited no significant preference between substrates. Results from this study indicate that if surveyors choose to use black long, black short, black, green, yellow, or red coloured substrates, or thicker black plastic substrates for egg-strip surveys, detection for T. cristatus remains constant but with improved detection and mild preference on more pliable plastic substrates. However, for L. vulgaris and L. helveti­ cus the thicker gauge black egg-strips may significantly reduce the effectiveness of detection and are discriminated against compared to more pliable grades of green and longer varieties of black plastic substrate.
    [Show full text]
  • Great Crested Newt Survey Report
    Environmental Statement Volume 6: Ch.9 Ecology and Nature Conservation p.1 Environmental Statement Document 6.9.3 DOCUMENT 6.9.5 Great Crested Newt Survey Report The Yorkshire and Humber (CCS Cross Country Pipeline) Development Consent Order Under Regulation 5(2)(a) of the Infrastructure Planning (Applications: Prescribed Forms and Procedure) Regulations 2009 Application Reference: EN070001 June 2014 The Yorkshire and Humber CCS Cross Country Pipeline Environmental Statement Volume 6: Ch.9 Ecology and Nature Conservation p.i Environmental Statement Document 6.9.5 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Introduction 1 1.1 INTRODUCTION TO THE ONSHORE SCHEME 1 1.3 SITE DESCRIPTION 3 1.4 SURVEY AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 4 2 Legislation and Policy 5 2.1 RELEVANT LEGISLATION 5 2.2 PLANNING POLICY 6 2.3 UK POST-2010 BIODIVERSITY FRAMEWORK 6 2.4 LOCAL BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN (LBAP) 7 3 Methodology 8 3.1 CONSULTATION WITH NATURAL ENGLAND 8 3.2 DESK BASED STUDY 8 3.3 FIELD SURVEY 10 3.4 POPULATION SIZE CLASS ASSESSMENT 13 3.5 EVALUATION METHODOLOGY 14 3.6 SURVEY LIMITATIONS 16 3.7 QUALITY ASSURANCE 17 4 Results 18 4.1 CONSULTATION WITH NATURAL ENGLAND 18 4.2 DESK BASED STUDY 18 4.3 FIELD SURVEY 20 5 Evaluation 35 6 References 41 Figures and Appendices 42 Appendix A: Natural England Consultation 43 Appendix B: Habitat Suitability Index Assessment Results 44 The Yorkshire and Humber CCS Cross Country Pipeline Environmental Statement Volume 6: Ch.9 Ecology and Nature Conservation p.ii Environmental Statement Document 6.9.5 Appendix C: Detailed Survey Results – All Ponds 2012/2013
    [Show full text]
  • Elite Ecology
    Elite Ecology Passionate about Ecology Ford Mill Farm, Ford Great Crested New t Survey Report July 2020 www.eliteecology.co.uk www.facebook.com/eliteecology www.twitter.com/eliteecology Welle1 sley House, Wellesley Street, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST1 4NF Ford Mill Farm, Ford Elite Ecology Great Crested Newt Survey Document Control Document Properties Organisation Elite Ecology Prepared For Mr. and Mrs. Brough Author Mr. Matthew Cotterill Approved (1st Checker) Mr. Marek Fraczek Approved (2nd Checker) Mr. Richard Millington Title Ford Mill Farm, Ford Great Crested Newt Survey Version History Date Version Status Description/Changes 24/07/2020 V1 Draft First Draft 29/07/2020 V1 Final Report Proof Read 1 Ford Mill Farm, Ford Elite Ecology Great Crested Newt Survey 0. Executive Summary This report has been prepared at the request of Mr. Nick and Mrs. Sarah Brooke. It relates to the proposed development works located at Ford Mill Farm, Martinslow Lane, Ford, Staffordshire, ST13 7RW (Central OS Grid Reference: SK 06802 53414). To fulfil this brief, Elite Ecology was provided with a desktop study from a previous report completed by Absolute Ecology and carried out their own field surveys. The current proposals are for the existing buildings to be converted for residential purposes. The HSI water body suitability for the surveyed water features were as follows: ➢ Pond (P1) = 0.62 = Average Suitability. Based on the information gathered during the multiple survey visits and the presence of a great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) breeding pond, a medium population of great crested newts (Triturus cristatus) can be confirmed within P1.
    [Show full text]
  • The Glasgow Naturalist V27 Supplement
    The Glasgow Naturalist Volume 27 Supplement 2019 Edited by: Christopher. J. McInerny & Iain Wilkie Contents EDITORIAL The conservation of amphibians and reptiles in Scotland – the role of publishing. C.J. McInerny………….1 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONFERENCE Programme: The Amphibians and Reptiles of Scotland: current research and future challenges…….............3 Conference: The Amphibians and Reptiles of Scotland: current research and future challenges. J.R. Downie………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………………7 Towards an evidence-based approach for road mitigation schemes for amphibians and reptiles in the U.K. - a review. S.O. Petrovan…………………………………………………………………………………………………...9 The secret life of the adder (Vipera berus) revealed through telemetry. N. Hand……………………………….13 Great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) populations are not one and the same: Scottish newts respond differently to Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) and abiotic factors. L.R. Harper, J.R. Downie & D.C. McNeill………………………………………………………………………………………..................................................19 SuDS and amphibians - are constructed wetlands really benefitting nature and people? D. O’Brien, J. Hall, A. Miró, M. Rae & R. Jehle…………………………………………………………………………………………….21 Mitigating the effects of a road on amphibian migrations: a Scottish case study of road tunnels. I.D.C. Hill, C.A. Rossi, S.O. Petrovan, M. Hartup, F. Clarke & J.R. Downie………………………...................25 Long-term monitoring for adders: an evolving methodology. R.J. Hodges & C. Seabrook…………………...37 Scottish Dragon Finder evaluation. V. Larcombe & J. Stead……………………………………......................................45 Linking water quality with amphibian breeding and development: a case study comparing natural ponds and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in East Kilbride, Scotland. R.J. Bird, E. Paterson, J.R. Downie & B.K. Mable……………………………………………………………………………………………………….49 The study and conservation of adders in Scotland. C.J.
    [Show full text]
  • Great Crested Newt Survey Report
    WHISTLEY BRIDGE GREAT CRESTED NEWT MITIGATION STRATEGY Prepared for Mr and Mrs Gill by Hankinson Duckett Associates HDA ref: 952.1 November 2020 hankinson duckett associates t 01491 838175 f 01491 838997 e [email protected] w www.hda-enviro.co.uk The Stables, Howbery Park, Benson Lane, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 8BA Hankinson Duckett Associates Limited Registered in England & Wales 3462810 Registered Office: The Stables, Howbery Park, Benson Lane, Wallingford, OX10 8BA CONTENTS Page 1 Introduction 1 2 Waterbody descriptions 3 3 Evaluation 4 4 Mitigation and Site Safeguarding 5 5 Conclusion 9 6 References 10 HDA Document Control and Quality Assurance Record APPENDICES A Location of waterbodies within vicinity of site 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Site location and summary description 1.1.1 This document provides a reasonable ‘worst case scenario’ Great Crested Newt Mitigation Strategy in support of a planning application for the proposed development of approximately 1.1ha of land at Whistley Bridge, Whistley Green, Reading, hereinafter referred to as ‘the site’. The site centre is located by National Grid Reference SU 787 745. The study was commissioned by Mr and Mrs Gill in November 2020. 1.1.2 The site is located south of the town of Twyford and is bordered by a gravel pit to the south and west and Whistley Mill Lane with agricultural fields beyond to the north and east. The property itself is located off Whistley Mill Lane and comprises a residential house, lodge, associated outbuildings and garden. The wider area generally comprises residential development, grassland fields, gravel pits and areas of woodland.
    [Show full text]
  • Wood Farm Golf Course - Essington
    “Providing Common-sense Solutions for Sustainable Development” Paul Keeling, Park Hall Farm, Brookhouse Road, Cheadle, Staffordshire Moorlands, ST10 2NJ, 07838 377 612, [email protected], www.evolutionecology.co.uk Wood Farm Golf Course - Essington Great Crested Newt Mitigation Strategy Report March 2016 – Version 2 Wood Farm Golf Course Evolution Ecology Ltd Great Crested Newt Mitigation Report Great Crested Newt Mitigation Strategy For Wood Farm Golf Course, Essington 2 Wood Farm Golf Course Evolution Ecology Ltd Great Crested Newt Mitigation Report 0 Executive Summary The following mitigation/compensation measures method statement, details the proposed measures, which will be implemented in order to safeguard the population of Great Crested Newts (GCN) at Wood Farm Golf Course, Essington. This report was created by Evolution Ecology Ltd following the results of the GCN presence/absence pond surveys undertaken by Pearce Environment Ltd in Spring 2015. The proposed development site (Phase 2) occupies a total area of approximately 35.5 ha, and it consists of seven pastoral (semi-improved grassland) fields vegetated with common grasses such as cock’s foot (Dactylis glomerata), perennial rye grass (Lolium perenne), wall barley (Hordeum murinum) and crested dogs tail (Cynosurus cristatus). The boundaries of the land of interest at Wood Farm Golf Course are isolated from other land patches/roads by species-poor hedgerows and vegetated drainage ditches. The hedgerows are dominated largely by hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), with sections of hazel (Corylus avellana), pedunculate oak (Quercus robur), ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) forming useful connective features. An area of woodland extends along the northern boundary of the site; with a small appendage of this woodland extending south approximately halfway along its extent.
    [Show full text]
  • Wold Ecology Ltd
    WOLD ECOLOGY LTD. Chris Toohie Richard Baines 2 Redwood Gardens, Driffield, 5 Coastguard Cottages, Flamborough, East Riding of Yorkshire. YO25 6XA East Riding of Yorkshire. YO15 1AW 01377 200242 01262 850937 www.woldecology.co.uk Land west of Bishop’s Close, Cawood Great Crested Newt Assessment Staff Member Position Surveyor. Chris Toohie M Sc., MCIEEM Ecologist. Report prepared by. Chris Toohie M Sc., MCIEEM Ecologist. Authorised by. Chris Toohie M Sc., MCIEEM This report contains sensitive information concerning Notes. protected species and caution should be exercised when copying and distributing to third parties. Land to the west of Bishop’s Close, Great Crested Newt Assessment, May 2015 Page 1 of 28 Table of Contents. 1.0 Introduction 3 2.0 Survey and Site Assessment 5 3.0 Results 6 4.0 Impact Assessment 10 5.0 Mitigation 12 6.0 Method statement 14 7.0 Bibliography 21 8.0 Appendices 22 Land to the west of Bishop’s Close, Great Crested Newt Assessment, May 2015 Page 2 of 28 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 In March 2015, Wold Ecology was commissioned by Mr D. Pulleyn to undertake a great crested newt assessment on land to the west of Bishop’s Close, Cawood (national grid reference SE 56855 37514) in North Yorkshire (see Figure 1). 1.2 The habitats within the Application Site comprise improved pasture, scattered trees, remnant hedgerows, standing water (ephemeral) and amenity grassland situated adjacent to residential properties. 1.3 The proposed development involves partial site clearance and outline planning permission with all matters reserved for the erection of a residential development, creation of access road and associated public open space.
    [Show full text]