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Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Mr Colin Eaton Percy Cottage, Ruscombe, Reading

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Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Mr Colin Eaton Percy Cottage, Ruscombe, Reading Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Mr Colin Eaton Percy Cottage, Ruscombe, Reading Ref: 18-0233 Version: V1 Date: 23/05/2018 Northamptonshire Office Oxfordshire Office 8 Melbourne House Greystones House Corbygate Business Park Burford Road Weldon, Corby Chipping Norton Northamptonshire Oxfordshire NN17 5JG OX7 5UY 01536 408 840 01608 648 657 [email protected] [email protected] www.lgluk.com This page has intentionally been left blank 18-0233 PERCY COTTAGE PHASE 1 V1 LF 230518 Page 2 of 49 DOCUMENT CONTROL SHEET Ecological Team Associate Director & Principal Ecological Dr James Hildreth BSc(Hons) PhD CEnv MCIEEM Consultant Louise Fox BSc(Hons) PG Dip Law MSc GradCIEEM Ecological Consultant Sarah Thresher BSc(Hons) Assistant Ecological Consultant Becky McKay BA(Hons) Project Administrator Originating Author: Position: Date: Version Notes: Louise Fox Ecological 15/05/2018 D1 Original Report Consultant Reviewed By: Report Review In Assistant Sarah Thresher 23/05/2018 D1 Accordance With Internal Consultant Quality Control Process Approved For Issue By: Ecological Louise Fox 12/03/2018 V1 Report Finalised For Issue Consultant COPYRIGHT © The copyright of this document remains with Lockhart Garratt Ltd. Its contents must not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part for any purpose without the written consent of Lockhart Garratt Ltd. DISCLAIMER It should be noted that the information above provides details of the Site’s current ecological situation. In the event that the proposed development does not commence within 12 months of the date of this report, further advice should be sought from a suitably qualified ecologist as to whether the information provided requires updating in light of changing ecological conditions. 18-0233 PERCY COTTAGE PHASE 1 V1 LF 230518 Page 3 of 49 Executive Summary Purpose of Document Lockhart Garratt Ltd was commissioned by Mr Colin Eaton to carry out an Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey including desk study for land at Percy Cottage, Ruscombe, Reading. The report considers the ecological conditions within the Site in the context of the development of a new residential dwelling and the demolition of Percy Cottage and several out-buildings. The Site itself is not subject to any statutory or non-statutory designation of nature conservation interest. There are no statutory designations within 2km of the Site. There are 12 non-statutory designations within 2km, the closest being the Ruscombe Village Pond Local Wildlife Site (LWS), located approximately 0.3km to the east. A range of protected amphibian, reptile, mammal and bird species were identified within 2km of the Site by the desk study. The Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey was undertaken on 2nd May 2018. The habitat within the Site consisted of buildings, amenity grassland, trees, introduced shrub, hedgerows, tall ruderal and hard- standing. Overall it is considered that subject to the implementation of the recommendations and enhancements set out within this report, an overall net gain in biodiversity at the Site may be achieved. Key recommendations in this context are as follows: Further survey work in respect of bats within the Site is required. Clearance and construction works should be scheduled outside of the main bird breeding season (March to August inclusive). If in the event works need to proceed within this period, then specialist advice from a suitably qualified ecologist should be sought. Any landscape planting should incorporate native species, including those species known to provide foraging opportunities for breeding birds and nectar sources for invertebrates. Enhancements in the form of bird and bat boxes are also recommended. 18-0233 PERCY COTTAGE PHASE 1 V1 LF 230518 Page 4 of 49 Table of Contents 1.Purpose INTRODUCTION of Document ................................ ......................................................................... 7 Terms of Instruction .............................................................................................................. 7 Report Limitations ................................................................................................................ 7 Qualifications ....................................................................................................................... 7 Site Description .................................................................................................................... 7 Aim of the Study ................................................................................................................... 8 2. METHODOLOGY ......................................................................................................... 9 Desk Study ............................................................................................................................ 9 Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey .......................................................................................... 9 Faunal Surveys ...................................................................................................................... 9 Badger Appraisal ................................................................................................................. 10 Bats .................................................................................................................................... 10 Great Crested Newt ............................................................................................................ 11 Principles of Ecological Evaluation ....................................................................................... 12 3. LEGISLATION AND PLANNING POLICY OVERVIEW ..................................................... 14 Legislation .......................................................................................................................... 14 Policy ................................................................................................................................. 14 National Planning Policy Framework (England) .................................................................... 14 4. DESK STUDY RESULTS ............................................................................................... 16 Sites of Nature Conservation Interest .................................................................................. 16 Protected Species ............................................................................................................... 17 5. PHASE 1 HABITAT SURVEY RESULTS ......................................................................... 22 Field Survey Limitations ...................................................................................................... 22 Habitat Descriptions ........................................................................................................... 22 Amenity Grassland .............................................................................................................. 22 Buildings ............................................................................................................................. 22 Hard-standing ..................................................................................................................... 25 Hedgerows ......................................................................................................................... 25 Introduced Shrub ................................................................................................................ 25 Standing Water (off-site) ..................................................................................................... 25 Tall Ruderal ........................................................................................................................ 26 Trees (scattered) ................................................................................................................. 26 Evidence of Protected Species and Other Faunal Interest ..................................................... 26 18-0233 PERCY COTTAGE PHASE 1 V1 LF 230518 Page 5 of 49 6. EVALUATION OF ECOLOGICAL CONTEXT ................................................................... 27 The Site .............................................................................................................................. 27 Statutory and Non-statutory Sites ....................................................................................... 27 7. HABITAT EVALUATION ............................................................................................. 28 Grassland ........................................................................................................................... 28 Hedgerows ......................................................................................................................... 28 Standing Water ................................................................................................................... 28 Trees .................................................................................................................................. 29 8. FAUNAL EVALUATION .............................................................................................. 30 Desk Study .......................................................................................................................... 30 9. RECOMMENDATIONS, FURTHER SURVEYS AND ENHANCEMENTS ............................. 34 Overview ...........................................................................................................................
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