EXTENDED PHASE 1 HABITAT SURVEY OF PEN-Y-GLOL CARAVAN PARK, HOLYWELL,

NOVEMBER 2019

Bowden Hall, Bowden Lane, Marple, Stockport, Cheshire. SK6 6ND Tel: 0161 465 8971 [email protected] www.rachelhackingecology.co.uk

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION 2

2. METHODOLOGY 3

3. RESULTS

HABITATS 4

PROTECTED SPECIES 9

INVASIVE SPECIES 10

PROTECTED SITES 10

4. ASSESSMENT 11

5. RECOMMENDATIONS 13

6. REFERENCES 14

PHASE 1 HABITAT MAP

Pen-y-Glol Caravan Park - Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 2019 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Rachel Hacking Ecology Limited was commissioned in 2019 by Pen-Y- Glol Caravan Park to carry out an Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey of part of the caravan park. The site will be the subject of a planning application for the erection of additional caravan pitches and an associated access road. An Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey is required to provide an overview of the habitats present within the site and to assess any potential protected species issues on the site.

Site Description

1.2 Pen-Y-Glol Caravan Park is located west of the village of Lloc, near to the town of Holywell, Flintshire (O.S. grid reference: SJ 12524 77769 – see Figure 1). The proposed development site currently comprises an area of plantation woodland, semi-natural broad-leaved woodland, hardstanding and continuous scrub.

Aims of Survey

1.3 The aims of the survey were to:

• Describe and map the habitats present on the site, • Assess the potential for protected species to be present on the site or just outside the immediate site boundary, • Identify where further survey may be necessary.

Figure 1 showing the location and red line boundary of the site

Pen-y-Glol Caravan Park - Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 2019 2 2.0 METHODOLOGY

2.1 A Phase 1 Habitat survey was undertaken to JNCC standards (JNCC, 2010). The site was walked, and each habitat was assigned a Phase 1 habitat category. Species lists were taken at locations of botanical interest. All botanical nomenclature follows Stace, 2010. A Phase 1 map was produced showing habitat boundaries.

2.2 During the Extended Phase 1 survey, the habitats were assessed for their potential to support protected species. This included, for example, looking for signs of Badger activity (e.g. setts, paths, latrines and hairs on fences), assessing any waterbodies on site or near the site for their potential to support Great Crested Newt.

2.3 The site was also surveyed for invasive, non-native plant species such as Japanese Knotweed and Giant Hogweed.

2.4 Joel Hacking (Senior Ecologist) and Rosie Fisher (Ecologist) undertook the survey on 27th November 2019. The weather during the survey was cool with occasional showers. Both surveyors are experienced ecologists and fully trained in botanical surveys and protected species assessments. November is outside of the optimal month for botanical work, but the habitats on the site were appropriate for assessment outside of the optimal season. There were no constraints to the survey and the site could be fully accessed.

Pen-y-Glol Caravan Park - Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 2019 3 3.0 RESULTS

HABITATS

3.1 The Phase 1 Habitat Map can be found at the back of the report. The habitats on the proposed development site are described below.

Amenity Grassland 3.2 A small section of the site comprises amenity grassland (see Photograph 1). The sward is generally species-poor and includes mainly grasses such as Yorkshire Fog Holcus lanatus, Red Fescue Festuca rubra, Daisy Bellis perennis, Dandelion Taraxacum officinale agg., Smooth Meadow-grass Poa pratensis, Cleavers Galium aparine and various moss species.

Photograph 1 showing the small section of amenity grassland

Hardstanding (Bare Ground) 3.3 Parts of the site, particularly the caravan site, are dominated by hardstanding, which is mapped as bare ground (see Photograph 2). Various species of moss are establishing aross the pathed areas.

Pen-y-Glol Caravan Park - Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 2019 4

Photograph 2 showing the hardstanding

Plantation Broad-leaved Woodland 3.4 The woodland on the site is split between plantation and semi-natural broad-leaved woodland. The plantation woodland is dominated by Hazel Corylus avellana, Ash Fraxinus excelsior, Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna and Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus (see Photograph 3). The ground flora is species-poor (see Paragraph 3.8 for further details on the ground flora).

Photograph 3 showing the plantation woodland

Semi-natural Broad-leaved Woodland 3.5 The semi-natural broad-leaved woodland includes Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus, Elder Sambucus nigra, Silver Birch Betula pendula and Ash Fraxinus excelsior (see Photograph 4). The canopy and scrub layer

Pen-y-Glol Caravan Park - Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 2019 5 include regenerating trees. The ground flora is species-poor and similar to the plantation woodland ground flora.

Photograph 4 showing the semi-natural woodland

Continuous Scrub 3.6 Areas of dense scrub exist on the site (see Photograph 5). Species present in the scrub include Bramble Rubus fruticosus agg., Common Nettle Urtica dioica, Ivy Hedera helix, Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus, Oak Saplings Quercus robur, Dandelion Taraxacum officinale agg., Broad-leaved Dock Rumex obtusifolius, and Holly Ilex aquifolium.

Photograph 5 showing the continuous scrub

Pen-y-Glol Caravan Park - Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 2019 6 Tall, Ruderal Herb 3.7 A small area of tall, ruderal vegetation is present near the edge of the caravan site. Species include Spear Thistle Cirsium vulgare, Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens, Broad-leaved Willowherb Epilobium montanum and False Oat Grass Arrhenatherum elatius.

Photograph 6 showing the tall, ruderal herb

Woodland Ground Flora 3.8 The woodlands on the site have an understorey consisting of ruderal vegetation (see Photograph 7). The species present in this habitat include Herb Robert Geranium robertianum, Wood avens Geum urbanum, Blackthorn Prunus spinosa, Common Ragwort Jacobaea vulgaris, Cock’s-foot Dactylis glomerata, Field-rose Rosa arvensis, Cleavers Galium aparine, Bramble Rubus fruticosus agg. and Common Nettle Urtica dioica.

Pen-y-Glol Caravan Park - Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 2019 7

Photograph 7 showing the tall ruderal herb

Species-poor Intact Hedgerow 3.9 A small section of intact hedgerow occurs at the edge of the site, adjacent to the road (see Photograph 8). The hedgerow species include Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, Ivy Hedera helix and Leyland Cypress Cupressus leylandii.

Photograph 8 showing the hedgerow

Caravan Site 3.10 The remainder of the site consist of the caravan site. The caravan site consists of hardstanding and scattered trees. Tree species include Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus and Pedunculate Oak Quercus robur.

Pen-y-Glol Caravan Park - Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 2019 8

Photograph 9 showing the Caravan Site

PROTECTED SPECIES

Great Crested Newt 3.11 Great Crested Newt Triturus cristatus is a European Protected Species under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 and the species is fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).

3.12 No waterbodies exist on the site. No waterbodies exist within 250metres of the site. The woodland and scrub offer suitable terrestrial habitat for Great Crested Newt.

Bats 3.13 All bat species are European Protected Species under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 and are fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).

3.14 No buildings exist on site. The trees that are to be affected by the proposals were inspected from the ground for Potential Roosting Features (PRFs), such as cavities, peeling bark and limb damage. No PRFs were found at any of the trees.

Badger 3.15 Badgers Meles meles are protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 and The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). These Acts, for example, make it illegal to disturb a Badger whilst it is in a sett, to kill, injure or take a Badger and to obstruct the entrance to a Badger sett.

3.16 No Badger sett was located on the site or immediately adjacent to the site. No evidence of Badger activity such as latrines or snuffle holes was located on site.

Pen-y-Glol Caravan Park - Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 2019 9 Nesting Birds 3.17 All bird species are protected at their nest under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).

3.18 The trees, scrub and shrubs offer suitable nesting habitat for birds. A Barn Owl Tyto alba box is present on the south-western edge of the site. No field signs of Barn Owl occupancy were encountered near to the box, and the box is in poor condition. There are no plans to move the Barn Owl box.

INVASIVE SPECIES

3.19 Small amounts of Montbretia Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora are present on the site, which is an invasive, non-native species, and is listed under Schedule 9 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). It is an offence to allow this species to spread into the wild.

PROTECTED SITES

3.20 No statutory protected sites lie on the site or immediately adjacent to the site boundary. The nearest statutory protected sites are Hendre Bach and Trelogan Grasslands Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), which lie approximately 2km to the south-west and north of the site respectively. The site is not considered to be inside the Impact Risk Zone of the SSSI’s.

3.21 No non-statutory sites exist on or adjacent to the site.

Pen-y-Glol Caravan Park - Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 2019 10 4.0 ASSESSMENT

HABITATS

4.1 The Phase 1 Habitats present on the site are common throughout the UK. No nationally rare or locally rare plant species were located during the extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey.

4.2 The dominant habitats are plantation woodland and semi-natural woodland. The woodlands are to be retained. The other dominant habitats are ruderal vegetation and small sections of scrub, which offer little cover from predation and provides a limited pollen source for invertebrates. The boundary habitats, such as the hedgerow, offer cover from predation and foraging opportunities. The trees and shrubs offer nesting habitat for birds.

Development Context 4.3 The development proposals involve the loss of ruderal vegetation and scrub, both of which are ecologically poor habitats. The inclusion of a landscaping plan within the new development will mitigate for the loss of the species-poor habitats and will include native planting. No specific habitat mitigation is necessary.

PROTECTED SPECIES

Great Crested Newt 4.4 No ponds exist on the site. No waterbodies exist within 250m of the site. Therefore, no further amphibian survey work is required, and Great Crested Newt is not considered to be a constraint on development at this time.

Bats 4.5 No buildings exist on site. The trees were inspected from the ground and found to support no cavities or other features suitable for roosting bats. No further bat survey work is considered necessary.

Badger 4.6 No Badger sett was located on the site or immediately adjacent to the site. No evidence of Badger activity was located. Badgers are not considered to be a constraint on development.

Nesting Birds 4.7 The site supports suitable nesting habitat for birds. If any work to the trees or shrubs will proceed within the bird nesting season (which is generally March-August), then a nesting bird check will be required immediately prior to any work. Nesting birds can be somewhat mitigated for by allowing no works to be carried out to suitable nesting habitat within the bird nesting season. It is recommended that the Barn Owl box is checked at any time of year if it is to be disturbed, as Barn Owls can nest outside of the traditional nesting period.

Pen-y-Glol Caravan Park - Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 2019 11 INVASIVE SPECIES

4.8 Montbretia Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora is present on the site, in small amounts. No specific management plan is required for this species, but it should either be managed on-site to prevent further spread or removed using appropriate disposal methods.

PROTECTED SITES

4.9 No statutory or non-statutory protected sites lie within the proposed development site, immediately adjacent to it or within 1km of it. The closest statutory protected sites are Hendre Bach and Trelogan Grasslands SSSIs and both lie over 2km from the site. At these distances, and with barrier habitats between the SSSIs and the site, there is expected to be no deleterious impact on the protected sites from the development.

Pen-y-Glol Caravan Park - Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 2019 12 5.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

Further Survey 5.1 Protected species are a material consideration when a planning authority is considering a planning application. The presence of protected species, the effect of the proposed development and suitable mitigation, if required, must be established before planning permission can be granted. Following the findings from the Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey, the following survey may be required:

• Nesting Birds - If any work to the trees or scrub needs to be carried out within the bird nesting season (which is generally March to August), then a nesting bird survey will be required immediately prior to work commencing. The Barn Owl box should be checked at any time of year prior to disturbance.

Habitat Enhancement 5.2 The following measures are recommendations aimed at increasing the biodiversity value of the site:

• Where tree planting is proposed, native tree species should be planted, which bear food for birds such as Rowan, Hazel, Elder and Service-tree.

• Soft landscaping should include the provision of native and non- native flowering perennial species, to provide a pollen and nectar source for invertebrates. The plants should flower at different time periods. Examples include Hebe, Lavender, Aster, mints and other herbs and Echinacea.

• Bird and bat boxes should be erected onto the retained trees.

Pen-y-Glol Caravan Park - Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 2019 13 6.0 REFERENCES

JNCC. Phase 1 Habitat Survey – a technique for environmental audit. JNCC, Updated 2010.

MAGIC mapping: www.magic.gov.uk

Preston, C.D., Pearman, D. & Dines, T. (2002). New Atlas of the British and Irish Flora. Oxford University Press.

Stace, C. A. (2019). New Flora of the British Isles, 3rd Edition. C&M Floristics.

Pen-y-Glol Caravan Park - Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 2019 14

PHASE 1 HABITAT MAP