Little Aston Sewage Treatment Works Invasive Species Removal Strategy

05 December 2017

Severn Trent Water Limited

Mott MacDonald Bentley Lamledge Lane Shifnal TF11 8SD

T +44 (0)1952 468210 mottmacbentley.co.uk

Severn Trent Water Limited 2297 Coventry Road Birmingham Sewage Treatment B26 3PU 380859DF19 003 A Works Mott MacDonald Bentley Invasive Species Removal Strategy

05 December 2017

Mott MacDonald Bentley Limited is a joint venture between Mott MacDonald Limited and JN Bentley Limited. Registered in and Wales no: 3827321. Registered Office: Keighley Road, Severn Trent Water Limited Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 2QR.

Mott MacDonald Bentley | Little Aston Sewage Treatment Works Invasive Species Removal Strategy

Issue and Revision Record

Revision Date Originator Checker Approver Description A Dec 2017 J Grant T Oliver L Strickland First Issue

Document reference: 380859DF19 | 003 | A

Information class: Standard

This document is issued for the party which commissioned it and for specific purposes connected with the above- captioned project only. It should not be relied upon by any other party or used for any other purpose.

We accept no responsibility for the consequences of this document being relied upon by any other party, or being used for any other purpose, or containing any error or omission which is due to an error or omission in data supplied to us by other parties.

This document contains confidential information and proprietary intellectual property. It should not be shown to other parties without consent from us and from the party which commissioned it.

This R eport has been prepar ed sol el y for use by the party which commissi oned it (the 'Client') in connection with the capti oned pr oject. It shoul d not be used for any other purpose. N o person other than the Client or any party who has expr essl y agreed terms of reli ance with us (the 'Recipi ent(s)') may r el y on the content, infor mation or any views expr essed in the R eport. T his R eport is confi denti al and contains pr opri etary intell ectual pr operty and we accept no duty of car e, r esponsibility or li ability to any other recipi ent of this R eport. N o repr esentati on, warranty or undertaking, express or i mplied, is made and no responsi bility or liability is accepted by us to any party other than the Client or any Reci pient(s), as t o the accuracy or completeness of the i nfor mati on contai ned i n this R eport. F or the avoi dance of doubt thi s Report does not i n any way pur port to i nclude any legal, insurance or fi nanci al advice or opi nion.

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Mott MacDonald Bentley | Little Aston Sewage Treatment Works Invasive Species Removal Strategy

Contents

1 Introduction 1 1.1 Project background 1 1.2 Site Description 1 1.3 Proposed Development 1 1.4 Aims and Objectives 1 1.5 Relevant Legislation and Policy Framework 1

2 Methodology 3 2.1 Vegetation clearance 3 2.2 Disposal of materials 3 2.3 General measures 3

3 References 4

Appendices 5

A. Cotoneaster identification guide 6

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Mott MacDonald Bentley | Little Aston Sewage Treatment Works 1 Invasive Species Removal Strategy

1 Introduction

1.1 Project background In November 2017 Mott MacDonald Bentley was commissioned by Severn Trent Water Limited to provide an invasive species removal strategy for cotoneaster species (Cotoneaster sp.) to be removed to facilitate works to be undertaken at Little Aston Sewage Treatment Works (STW). This removal strategy covers areas of cotoneaster present within the existing STW and the field to the west, hereafter referred to as ‘the Site’.

The removal strategy was deemed necessary following the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) of the Site undertaken by Mott MacDonald in January 2016 (MMB, 2016), and comments on the PEA by County Council’s environment team in relation to the planning application ref. L.17/05/8004 W.

The presence of cotoneaster was noted in planted areas of the Site around the existing bacteria beds and humus tanks. While most of the proposed works will impact upon areas of well- maintained amenity grassland and hardstanding, some clearance of cotoneaster will be required to facilitate the installation of new pipework. As such, this removal strategy covers the methodology for removal of this vegetation.

1.2 Site Description The area surveyed comprised the existing Little Aston STW and areas of land immediately to the south and west of the STW, located at Ordnance Survey Grid Reference SK 09362 01907, and are hereafter referred to as ‘the Site’. The Site is located outside Little Aston in Staffordshire, in a rural landscape broadly comprising arable fields.

1.3 Proposed Development Proposed works at the Site include the installation of the following:

● Moving Bed Biofilm Reactors (MBBR), new blowers, flocculation tanks and Mecana TSR; ● Dosing rigs; ● Interstage MCC kiosk; ● Final effluent chamber; and ● New footpath and pipeline within the field to the west of the existing STW.

1.4 Aims and Objectives This report outlines the methods which should be followed for the duration of the works to ensure the removed invasive vegetation is safely disposed of and not permitted to spread in the wild, which would be an offence (see below).

1.5 Relevant Legislation and Policy Framework Five species of cotoneaster, including wall cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis), entire-leaved cotoneaster (Cotoneaster integrifolius), Himalayan cotoneaster (Cotoneaster simonsii), Hollyberry cotoneaster (Cotoneaster bullatus) and small-leaved cotoneaster (Cotoneaster microphyllus) are listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as amended

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Mott MacDonald Bentley | Little Aston Sewage Treatment Works 2 Invasive Species Removal Strategy

(WCA). Under Schedule 9 it is illegal to plant or otherwise cause to grow in the wild any invasive species as listed on schedule 9 of WCA.

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Mott MacDonald Bentley | Little Aston Sewage Treatment Works 3 Invasive Species Removal Strategy

2 Methodology

To ensure that cotoneaster does not spread beyond the Site boundary due to the works, the following methodology for its safe removal from the Site is recommended.

2.1 Vegetation clearance

2.1.1 Mechanical removal The removal of cotoneaster should be carried out using handheld tools (brushcutters and strimmers) if vegetation is to be removed to ground level. If removal of the root ball is also required, machinery should be used to remove the entire plant.

2.1.2 Chemical Treatment Herbicide treatment of cotoneaster can be used as an alternative to mechanical removal. Smaller plants can be sprayed, with stump treatment after cutting recommended for larger plants.

2.2 Disposal of materials The removed vegetation should be chipped or burnt on Site where possible. If this is not possible the plant material, and any seed containing soil that is not to be reinstated after works are completed, should be transferred to landfill as controlled waste.

2.3 General measures All site operatives will be provided with a toolbox talk to be made aware of the presence of cotoneaster on the Site, and the necessary precautions relating to its management and disposal. The GB non-native species secretariat identification guide for Cotoneaster is included in Appendix A.

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Mott MacDonald Bentley | Little Aston Sewage Treatment Works 4 Invasive Species Removal Strategy

3 References

GB non-native species secretariat, 2017. Cotoneaster. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Mott MacDonald Limited, 2016. Little Aston Sewage Treatment Works: Preliminary Ecological Appraisal. Birmingham.

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Mott MacDonald Bentley | Little Aston Sewage Treatment Works 5 Invasive Species Removal Strategy

Appendices

A. Cotoneaster identification guide 6

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Mott MacDonald Bentley | Little Aston Sewage Treatment Works 6 Invasive Species Removal Strategy

A. Cotoneaster identification guide

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www.nonnativespecies.org

Produced by Kevin Doidge, Max Wade, Vicky Ames and Kelly McKee of RPS

Cotoneaster

Species Description Scientific name: Cotoneaster species AKA: Cotoneasterau (Welsh) Native to: Majority of species originate from east Asia Habitat: Rough ground A large group of small trees and prostrate shrubs that can be either evergreen or deciduous. They are be- coming increasingly naturalised due to birds which eat the small red berries and spread the seed. There is one native species, wild Cotoneaster ( Cotoneaster cambricus ) which occurs as a few individuals in North Wales. This ID sheet includes those introduced species which are relatively common. Where they become established they can become dominant to the exclusion of native species.

Himalayan cotoneaster ( Cotoneaster simonsii ) is an erect deciduous shrub 3-4 metres high with 1.5-2.5 cm long leaves; small-leaved cotoneaster ( Cotoneaster microphyllou ) is an evergreen low-growing shrub with very small leaves (0.5-0.8cm long) and tree cotoneaster ( Cotoneaster frigidus ) is a deciduous or semi-evergreen shrub or small tree with leaves between 6-15 cm long and flow- ers in dense clusters. All these species have leaves which are shiny and hairless on the upper surface and slightly hairy on the lower surface. Cotoneaster species do not have thorns.

Wall cotoneaster ( Cotoneaster horizontalis ) is the most widely recorded species and is distinctive in having stems that spread horizontally in flattened herring-bone like branches and bears single flowers. Unlike the other cotoneasters mentioned, the underside of leaves of this species are relatively hair- less.

Cotoneasters have been in cultivation in GB since 1824 and there are over 100 species now widely cultivated in the UK. Other species could also become naturalised.

Cotoneaster species are listed under Schedule 9 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 with respect to England and Wales. As such, it is an offence to plant or otherwise cause these species to grow in the wild.

For details of legislation go to www.nonnativespecies.org/legislation . Himalayan cotoneaster ( Cotoneaster simonsii )

Key ID Features Slightly hairy lower Himalayan cotoneaster surface of the leaf Non-native (Cotoneaster simonsii)

Leaves alternate Leaves not along the serrated stem

Shiny and hairless upper surface of the leaf

Red/orange fruits in clusters Identification throughout the year Distribution Cotoneaster species are widespread Evergreen species such as throughout Britain. the small-leaved cotoneas- ter can be identified throughout the year by its leaves. Deciduous species can be identified by the presence of the red berries which can remain through-

out winter and, in the case of wall cotoneaster, by the distinctive herringbone- shaped branches.

Similar Species Source: Check Gateway. NBN website for distribution. current

Firethorn Non-native (Pyracantha coccinea ) Some other species of

Cotoneaster Wall cotoneaster Non-native (Cotoneaster horizontalis )

Herringbone-shaped branches A shrub with small serrated leaves that alternate along the stem, which has long thorns

Wilson’s honeysuckle Non-native (Lonicera nitida ) Himalayan cotoneaster Non-native (Cotoneaster simonsii )

Similar to the small leaved cotoneasters, leaves opposite not alternate Aromatic wintergreens Non-native (Gaultheria species)

Evergreen habit An evergreen shrub with alternate leaves and bell shaped flowers, unlike the five petalled flowers of Small-leaved cotoneaster cotoneasters Non-native (Cotoneaster microphyllus )

Other similar species which may be confused with cotoneaster include: References and further reading:

Escallonia (Escallonia macrantha) - an evergreen shrub which Johnson, O and More, D (2004) “ Collins Tree Guide ”. has alternate serrated leaves and numerous pinkish-red flowers, HarperCollins no thorns; Preston, C D, Pearman, D A and Dines, T A Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) - a thorny shrub with small serrated (editors) (2002) “New Atlas of the British and Irish leaves, yellow flowers and red lozenge-shaped berries; and Flora”. Oxford University Press Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) - a thorny densely branched shrub with alternate long thin leaves with bright orange Stace, C (1999) “Field Flora of the British Isles”. berries on female plants. Cambridge University Press

Photos from: Kevin Doidge, Max Wade, Mike Harris Mott MacDonald Bentley | Little Aston Sewage Treatment Works 7 Invasive Species Removal Strategy

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