Stoneham's Farm, Tilehurst, Berkshire Ecological Assessment December
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Stoneham’s Farm, Tilehurst, Berkshire Ecological Assessment (TEP Report Ref: 4544.011) December 2015 Version 1 Stoneham’s Farm, Tilehurst, Berkshire Ecological Assessment Tilehurst Sites, Berkshire Ecological Assessment TEP Report Ref: 4544.011 December 2015 Version 1 Prepared by: TEP Genesis Centre Birchwood Science Park Warrington WA3 7BH Tel: 01925 844004 Fax: 01925 844002 e-mail: [email protected] for Darcliffe Homes Ltd & Horstonbridge Ltd Kingfisher House Albury Close Reading Berkshire RG30 1BD Written: Checked: Approved: SS FBH FBH 4544.011 Page 1 December 2015 Version 1.0 Stoneham’s Farm, Tilehurst, Berkshire Ecological Assessment CONTENTS PAGE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................... 3 2.0 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 4 3.0 OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................ 5 4.0 METHODS ................................................................................................................. 6 Desk Study ................................................................................................................. 6 Habitats and Flora ...................................................................................................... 6 Fauna ......................................................................................................................... 7 5.0 RESULTS ................................................................................................................. 10 Desk Study ............................................................................................................... 10 Habitats .................................................................................................................... 13 Protected and Invasive Plants .................................................................................. 14 Connectivity with the Wider Landscape ................................................................... 14 Fauna ....................................................................................................................... 14 6.0 CONCLUSIONS ....................................................................................................... 18 Designated Sites ...................................................................................................... 18 Habitats and Flora .................................................................................................... 18 Fauna ....................................................................................................................... 18 7.0 RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................................ 21 Designated Sites ...................................................................................................... 21 Habitats and Flora .................................................................................................... 21 Fauna ....................................................................................................................... 21 Opportunities for Enhancement ................................................................................ 23 8.0 REFERENCES ......................................................................................................... 24 APPENDICES Appendix A Desk Study Information Appendix B Target Notes Appendix C Bat Survey Results Appendix D Badger Survey Results DRAWINGS G4544.003.002.1 Phase 1 Habitat Survey Map G4544.019 Bat Survey Map G4544.05.001A Badger Survey Map 4544.011 Page 2 December 2015 Version 1.0 Stoneham’s Farm, Tilehurst, Berkshire Ecological Assessment SUMMARY 1.1 TEP was commissioned by Darcliffe Homes Ltd, Horstonbridge (Thames Valley) Ltd and Horstonbridge (Tilehurst) Ltd to carry out an ecological assessment of Stoneham’s Farm on the western edge of Tilehurst, Berkshire. This site is being put forward for allocation for residential development in West Berkshire District Council’s Site Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD). It lies adjacent to the settlement boundary, with open farmland and woodland extending west to Sulham Brook and the River Pang. 1.2 In 2014, TEP carried out a desktop study, an extended Phase 1 habitat survey, a badger survey, an initial assessment of ponds for great crested newt, and a nocturnal bat activity survey. The survey results led to recommendations for biodiversity conservation which (along with information on landscape, views, heritage, access and technical matters) have been reflected in the Opportunities & Indicative Development Framework (Drawing D4544.014_024) prepared by TEP to indicate how development may proceed in accordance with national and local policy. 1.3 Stoneham’s Farm comprises an arable field and farmhouse with surrounding trees and hedgerows. The site is of relatively low ecological interest. The features of greatest value are the boundary hedgerows and trees, and the protected species that these may support. The farmhouse and outbuilding may also offer opportunities for bats to roost. Bat activity hotspots were recorded along the established hedgerow with trees along the north eastern site boundary, and in the southern corner of the site. The site is connected to nearby woodland local wildlife sites (LWS) via footpaths. Recommendations are made to retain hedgerows, increase tree planting and minimise adverse recreational pressure on offsite LWS. 1.4 Should this site be taken forward to planning application, recommendations for further survey are made to inform detailed design, layout and infrastructure provision. 1.5 In line with the National Planning Policy Framework, recommendations for enhancement and provision of biodiversity opportunities on site are also provided. 4544.011 Page 3 December 2015 Version 1.0 Stoneham’s Farm, Tilehurst, Berkshire Ecological Assessment 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 TEP was commissioned by Darcliffe Homes, Horstonbridge (Thames Valley) Ltd and Horstonbridge (Tilehurst) Ltd to carry out an ecological assessment of Stoneham’s Farm on the western edge of Tilehurst, Berkshire. This site is being put forward for allocation for residential development in West Berkshire District Council’s Site Allocations DPD. The following desk and field surveys have been completed: . Desktop Study, June 2014 . Extended Phase 1 habitat survey, June 2014; . An initial assessment of ponds within 0.5km of the site boundaries to assess their potential for supporting breeding GCN, June 2014; and . Badger survey including the four sites and surrounding habitats, July 2014. A nocturnal bat activity survey including a dusk transect survey and use of static detectors left in place to record for three consecutive nights, August 2014 2.2 The objectives of this report are as follows: . to describe the existing vegetation and give an overview of the habitats present; . to identify whether there are any features of conservation value such as designated sites, protected species or habitats of biodiversity importance on site or within the wider zone of influence; . to inform the Opportunities & Indicative Development Framework prepared by TEP; . to advise of further surveys or mitigation requirements that may be needed prior to development of the site (depending on the final development design); and . to outline opportunities for biodiversity enhancement in line with the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework. 4544.011 Page 4 December 2015 Version 1.0 Stoneham’s Farm, Tilehurst, Berkshire Ecological Assessment 3.0 OVERVIEW 3.1 Stoneham’s Farm lies on the western edge of Tilehurst, centred at grid reference SU655747 (see Figure 1). The “redline” boundary is shown over aerial photography in Appendix A. The “redline” boundary is the outer extent of the SHLAA map, and does not necessarily reflect the extent of proposed development which is informed by environmental constraint mapping. 3.2 The site lies adjacent to the settlement boundary, with open farmland and woodland extending west to Sulham Brook and the River Pang (over 2km west), and farther south, to the M4 (c.2km south west). The site comprises agricultural land (an arable field and farmhouse with surrounding trees and hedgerow) and falls within the North Wessex Downs AONB. Figure 1: Site location Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2015 4544.011 Page 5 December 2015 Version 1.0 Stoneham’s Farm, Tilehurst, Berkshire Ecological Assessment 4.0 METHODS Desk Study 4.1 Information regarding protected sites, and notable habitats and pre-existing species records within a 1km radius of the site boundary was gathered from the sources listed in Table 1. In addition, international and national designated sites within 5km were identified. Species records can provide a useful indication of the species present within the search area, although the absence of a given species from the dataset cannot be taken to represent actual absence. 4.2 Where development is proposed in areas of potential great crested newt (GCN) habitat, Natural England guidelines (2001) suggest that all ponds within 0.5km are considered in respect of the species. Waterbodies within 0.5km of the site boundaries were therefore identified from Ordnance Survey mapping and publically available aerial photography and an assessment of their relevance to the proposed development site