ETIVE ECOLOGY Ltd Proposed Residential Development Fairview Inn, Llanddulas Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Produced for: August 2017 This page is intentionally blank Proposed Residential Development Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Fairview Inn, Llanddulas CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 The Scheme 1 1.2 Scope of this Report 1 2 METHODOLOGY 2 2.1 Desk Study 2 2.2 Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 2 2.3 Bat Detector Survey 3 2.4 Assessment of Ecological Value 3 2.5 Limitations 3 3 RESULTS 5 3.1 Desk Study 5 3.2 Phase 1 Habitat Survey 6 3.3 Protected Species 7 3.4 Notable Species 9 3.5 Invasive Species 10 3.6 Key Ecological Receptors 10 4 DISCUSSION 11 4.1 Proposed Development 11 4.2 Likely Impacts 11 4.3 Recommendations 11 5 CONCLUSION 13 6 REFERENCES 15 APPENDIX A Phase 1 Habitat Map Proposed Development Layout APPENDIX B Site Photographs APPENDIX C Biological Records Quality Assessment Record Report Version Written by Date Reviewed by Date 1.0 Russell Grey 30 August 2017 Maddy Warriner 30 August 2017 ETIVE ECOLOGY Ltd (i) www.etiveecology.co.uk Proposed Residential Development Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Fairview Inn, Llanddulas 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 The Scheme 1.1.1 Etive Ecology Ltd was commissioned by Caulmert Ltd. in July 2017 undertake an ecological appraisal of Fairview Inn and surrounding land in Llanddulas, Conwy. The site is centred on National Grid Reference SH 9066 7826. 1.1.2 The application site boundary includes the existing public house (Fairview Inn), the adjoining first‐floor residential flat, pub car park and beer garden. The site is surrounded by residential properties and the A547 Abergele Road runs immediately adjacent to the southern site boundary. The proposed scheme comprises two elements. The first is the demolition of single storey extensions to the pub, and to convert the main building into a single residential property. The second element is the construction of a 24 unit apartment building on part of the pub car park footprint. There would also be new landscaping and parking arrangements to the rear of the site. 1.2 Scope of this Report 1.2.1 The site assessment is based on the Guidelines for Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, 2012). 1.2.2 The aim of the assessment is to obtain data on existing ecological conditions, and to conduct a preliminary assessment of the likely significance of ecological impacts on the proposed development site. To achieve this, the following steps were taken: The desk study area and field survey area (including the ‘zone of influence’ of the scheme) have been identified A desk study has been undertaken, including the purchase of biological records from the Local Records Centre (Cofnod) Baseline information on the site and surrounding area has been recorded through an ‘extended Phase 1 survey’, including a Phase 1 habitat survey (JNCC 2010) and consideration of notable and/or protected habitats and species The ecological features present within the survey area have been evaluated, where possible (IEEM, 2006) Invasive plant and animal species (such as those listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act [WCA]) have been identified Potential constraints to the proposed development have been identified Recommendations for further survey have been made Mitigation recommendations have been provided based on current information. 1.2.3 The Phase 1 Habitat Map of the survey area is in Appendix A with target notes used to link features of note to the report text. Photographs taken during the survey are presented in Appendix B. ETIVE ECOLOGY Ltd Page 1 of 15 www.etiveecology.co.uk Proposed Residential Development Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Fairview Inn, Llanddulas 2 METHODOLOGY 2.1 Desk Study 2.1.1 A desk study was undertaken to identify any nature conservation sites and/or any relevant protected or notable species records within 1km of the site. 2.1.2 The following sources of information were utilized: MAGIC website (http://www.magic.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx) Wales Biodiversity Partnership (https://www.biodiversitywales.org.uk/) Natural Resources Wales website (https://naturalresources.wales/) 2.1.3 A data search enquiry to the North Wales Environmental Information Service (Cofnod) was made, for all designated nature conservation sites and all protected and/or notable species within 1km of the centre of the site. 2.2 Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 2.2.1 The site visit was made on 4th August 2017. 2.2.2 The survey comprised an extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey. This survey method follows the habitat assessment and classification procedure outlined by the Handbook for Phase 1 Habitat Survey (JNCC, 2010), whereby all habitats are identified, described and mapped using a standard classification. 2.2.3 The extended component of the survey is developed from the methodology described in Guidelines for Baseline Ecological Assessment (IEA, 1995). All habitats and features within the survey area are assessed for their potential to support legally protected or notable species (nationally or locally). 2.2.4 These species include: Amphibians: ponds within 250m of the site were considered for their suitability to support a range of amphibians, including great crested newts (GCN). Reptiles: the site was assessed for suitable habitats including rough grassland, allotments, brownfield sites and habitat edges in general which would provide cover, basking and foraging habitat for reptile species. Otters: watercourses within 100m of the site were checked for signs of otter and assessed for their suitability to support the species. Water voles: watercourses on site were checked for signs of water vole presence and assessed for their potential to support the species. Bats: all trees and structures on site were assessed as to their suitability to support roosting bats at any point during the year. Trees and structures were then categorised for their potential to support roosting bats as per the Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists – Good Practice Guidelines (Collins, J., 2016). Birds: the site was assessed for suitable habitats for nesting birds, including habitats suitable for ground‐nesting species. Badgers: all habitats within 30m of the site were surveyed where possible to identify the presence of any setts or signs of badger activity. ETIVE ECOLOGY Ltd Page 2 of 15 www.etiveecology.co.uk Proposed Residential Development Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Fairview Inn, Llanddulas Invasive plant species: this assessment does not constitute a full Schedule 9 species survey. The potential for any Schedule 9 species was assessed and any species that were encountered were mapped and noted. 2.3 Bat Detector Survey 2.3.1 Bat surveys were undertaken in full accordance with the guidance set out by Collins, J. (ed.) (2016). This includes a determination of survey effort based on the value of a given site for roosting bats, determined during the initial site visit. In this instance the terraced building of the pub was assessed to be of Low potential, therefore a single dusk bat detector survey was proposed to be carried out during the active season (May to August inclusive). 2.3.2 The dusk survey commenced 15 minutes prior to sunset and ceased not earlier than 90 minutes following sunset, when survey conditions were too dark for the surveyors to accurately and definitively identify bat emergence and flight. The locations of surveyors and a summary of bat activity during the survey are described in Section 3.3. 2.3.3 The dusk survey was undertaken on the 15th August and was led by Russell Grey, a licensed bat surveyor in Wales. The surveyors were using an Echo Meter Touch and a Bat Scanner detector. Bat activity was recorded and analysed using Analook software. 2.4 Assessment of Ecological Value 2.4.1 The value and sensitivity of ecological features was determined based on the guidance given in Guidelines on Ecological Impact Assessment (CIEEM, 2016). Individual ecological receptors (habitats and species that could be affected by the development) were assigned levels of importance for nature conservation in one of the following categories: • International / European • National / UK • Metropolitan / County • Local, or • within the immediate zone of influence or site only. 2.4.2 For a given receptor, determination of value includes consideration of the size, secondary or supporting value/function, conservation status and quality of the species or feature. 2.5 Limitations 2.5.1 The Phase 1 Habitat survey was undertaken within the recommended survey season. However, such is the nature of the site, its current land‐use and its recent management, that no significant or rare species of flora are likely to be present. 2.5.2 Access was permitted to all land within the application site boundary but access could not be gained into the residential flat or the loft space above to inspect for protected species potential and evidence. No access was permitted onto any third party land adjacent to the site, although much of the adjacent land was visible. 2.5.3 There are considered to be no significant limitations to the undertaking or accuracy of the Extended Phase 1 Habitat survey. ETIVE ECOLOGY Ltd Page 3 of 15 www.etiveecology.co.uk Proposed Residential Development Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Fairview Inn, Llanddulas 2.5.4 It is acknowledged that, although the bat detector survey effort was in line with the published guidelines, surveys can provide just a snapshot into the use of a site by bats. However, the survey was conducted within the core active period (May to August) and during suitable conditions for bat flight. The surveyors also had excellent visual coverage of the building throughout the survey period. As a result the survey findings are considered to be accurate and robust. ETIVE ECOLOGY Ltd Page 4 of 15 www.etiveecology.co.uk Proposed Residential Development Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Fairview Inn, Llanddulas 3 RESULTS 3.1 Desk Study Designated Sites 3.1.1 There are two statutory sites for nature conservation located within 1km of the site: Liverpool Bay Special Protection Area (SPA); located 450m to the north of Fairview Inn and on the opposite side of the busy A55 dual carriageway.