Ecological Deliverability Report
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Ecological Deliverability Report Land at Horseworld, Whitchurch, Bristol Horseworld October 2011 Report status Action Date Authorised Draft For comment 5.10.11 MJ Final For issue 14.10.11 MJ Environmental Assessment & Design Ltd 3 Colleton Crescent Exeter EX2 4DG Tel: 01392 260420 Fax: 01392 434603 Email: [email protected] www.eadconsult.co.uk Contents 1 Introduction 1 1.1 Introduction 1 1.2 Approach 1 2 Biodiversity baseline 3 2.1 Designated sites of nature conservation value 3 2.2 Previous records of protected/notable species 4 2.3 Site survey 6 3 Conclusion and recommendations 9 3.1 Potential ecological constraints 9 3.2 Recommended further surveys and consultation 9 4 References 11 Figures Figure 1: Site location Figure 2: Phase 1 Habitat plan and Target notes Figure 3: Designated sites of nature conservation value Appendices Appendix 1: Designated sites of nature conservation value Appendix 2: Species legislation and conservation status Appendix 3: Species list 1 Introduction 1.1 Introduction EAD was commissioned by Horseworld Ltd to undertake an ecological deliverability study of land identified for residential development at Whitchurch, Bristol, (approximate NGR ST620672; refer to Figure 1). The study is documented in this report and includes the following: • Preliminary ecological baseline of the site; • Potential ecological constraints to the development of the site; • Assessment of the site in terms of suitability for development; and • Further ecological work necessary for a planning submission. All work has been undertaken in accordance with the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management’s (IEEM) Code of Practice. 1.2 Approach A preliminary understanding of the ecological baseline of the development site (hereafter referred to as ‘the site’) was derived through desk study and site survey. 1.2.1 Desk study Biodiversity information was requested for a study area of 2km radius around the site from Bristol Regional Environmental Records Centre (BRERC). Information requested included the location and details of the following: • Designated sites of nature conservation value (non-statutory); • Previous records of protected and/or notable species, including UK and Bath and North East Somerset (BNES) Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Priority Species. The study area was extended to 4km for bats. Information was also obtained from the following websites: • www.magic.gov.uk – Information on statutory protected sites up to 5km from the site; • www.naturalengland.co.uk – Information on protected sites, Natural Area profiles and BAP Priority Habitats; and • www.nbn.org.uk – Protected species distribution. The UK and BNES BAPs were also reviewed, as was the Bath and North East Somerset Local Plan (adopted 2007). 1 1.2.2 Site survey An Extended Phase 1 Habitat survey of the site was undertaken on 6 September 2011 following IEA guidelines (1995) and JNCC methodology (1993). This identified the habitat types on the site and the presence/potential presence of protected and notable 1 species. The results of the survey were detailed on a Phase 1 Habitat plan; refer to Figure 2. Target notes were used to identify specific features of ecological interest. The survey area was divided into two parts; the smaller parcel of land around the existing visitor centre, and the larger area to the east around Keynes Farm. 1 Notable species are those which hold a specific conservation status e.g. Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Species, IUCN Red Data Species. Some notable species may also be legally protected. 2 2 Biodiversity baseline 2.1 Designated sites of nature conservation value The proposed development site does not lie within or adjacent to any designated site of nature conservation value; refer to Table 1, Appendix 1 and Figure 3. The closest statutory designated site (Stockwood Open Space Local Nature Reserve) occurs approximately 900m to the north of the site. 14 non-statutory designated Sites of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCIs) occur within 2km of the site. Table 1: Nature conservation designated sites within the study area Site name Nature Reason for designation Approximate Conservation distance and Designation direction from site Cleave Wood SSSI Broad-leaved woodland with Bath 4km NE asparagus Bickley Wood SSSI Geological interest 4km NE Bamfield and SNCI Former unimproved neutral grassland, 1.5km W Briery Leaze Road with scattered scrub and hedges. Knowle Golf SNCI Unimproved & semi-improved 1.4km N Course calcareous grassland. Broadleaved woodland. Hedgerows. Wet ditches, stream, pond. Stockwood Open SNCI, LNR and Old farm meadows, hedgerows, 400m N; LNR Space Avon Wildlife Trust broadleaved & coniferous woodland, boundary is 900m Nature Reserve scrub, marshland, ponds, a stream, a N reedbed and a restored tip. Sturminster Road SNCI Woodland, scrub, tall ruderal 450m NW vegetation, grassland & stream, with associated marginal vegetation. Charlton Bottom SNCI Running water (streams), with 250m E and Queen associated marginal habitats, semi- Charlton natural broadleaved woodland and Watercourse scrub. Hursley Hill road SNCI Unimproved neutral grassland road 900m S verge verge. Land at SNCI Neutral grassland. 250m E Whitchurch Maes Knoll SNCI Semi-natural and planted broadleaved 1.6km SW woodland, scrub, semi-improved neutral grassland and geological interest. Publow Brook and SNCI Running water (stream), standing water 1.3km S adjacent land (lake) with associated marginal habitats, planted mixed woodland and semi-improved neutral grassland. Stockwood Golf SNCI Unimproved calcareous grassland. 950m NE Course Stockwood Vale SNCI Semi-natural broadleaved woodland 1.4km NE 3 Table 1: Nature conservation designated sites within the study area Site name Nature Reason for designation Approximate Conservation distance and Designation direction from site woods and scrub. Sturminster Road SNCI Unimproved neutral and calcareous 300m NW grassland, semi-natural broadleaved woodland, scrub and running water (stream) with associated marginal habitats. West Keynsham SNCI Unimproved and semi-improved neutral 1.4km NE field grassland, marshy grassland, hedges and scrub. Wooscombe SNCI Unimproved neutral and calcareous 1.1km S complex grassland, semi-improved neutral grassland, planted broadleaved woodland, scrub and running water (stream) with associated marginal habitats. 2.2 Previous records of protected/notable species Numerous protected/notable species have been recorded within 2km of the site. Previous records are summarised below and a full list is available on request; they are not included in this report due to the extensive number of records. The legislation and conservation status that applies to the species listed is provided in Appendix 2. Plants UK and Bristol & North Somerset BAP species recorded within the study area include: • Bath asparagus (BNESBAP). • Few-flowered fumitory (BNESBAP). • Basil thyme (UKBAP). • Deadly nightshade (BNESBAP). • Fragrant orchid (BNESBAP). • Grape hyacinth (UKBAP). • Narrow-leaved birdsfoot trefoil (BNESBAP). • Red hemp-nettle (UK & BNESBAP). • Rigid hornwort (BNESBAP). • Small-leaved lime (BNESBAP). • Stinking hellebore (BNESBAP). There are also records of the invasive and non-native plant species Japanese knotweed and Himalayan balsam; refer to Appendix 2. 4 Invertebrates The following UK BAP invertebrates have been recorded in the study area: • Red-tailed Carder Bee (UK & BNESBAP). • Scarce chaser (BNESBAP). • White-legged damselfly (BNESBAP). • Long-winged conehead (BNESBAP). • Cinnabar (UKBAP). • Dingy skipper (BNESBAP). • Grizzled skipper (UK & BNESBAP). • Green hairstreak (BNESBAP). • Small heath (UKBAP). • Wall (UKBAP). • Small blue (UKBAP). • White admiral (UKBAP). • Little whirlpool ramshorn snail (UKBAP). There are also numerous UK and BNESBAP moth records from within the study area. Amphibians There are multiple records of great crested newt from the study area. One of these is a 2002 record from the south-west corner of the visitor centre site. Great crested newt is legally protected and is a UK and BNES BAP species. Common frog, common toad, palmate and smooth newt have all been recorded from within the study area. These species receive partial legal protection, common toad is a UK and BNES BAP species and common frog is a BNES BAP species. Reptiles Slow-worm and grass snake have been recorded within the study area. These are legally protected and UK BAP species, grass snake is also a BNES BAP species. Birds There are numerous bird records from within the study area. All wild birds are legally protected and many are also UK and BNES BAP species and/or are ‘Red’ or ‘Amber’ Species of Conservation Concern. Species identified include barn owl, cuckoo, dunnock, house sparrow, linnet, skylark, spotted flycatcher, yellowhammer and bullfinch. Mammals There are numerous badger records within the study area; badger is a legally protected species. There are also records of brown hare and hedgehog, both of which are UK and BNES BAP species. 5 Brown long-eared, common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle, Daubenton’s, whiskered, noctule, Leisler’s, Natterer’s, serotine, and lesser horseshoe bats have also previously been recorded in the extended (4km) study area. All bats are legally protected and some are UK and BNES BAP species. 2.3 Site survey 2.3.1 Habitats within site boundary The location of the habitats within the site is shown on Figure 2, which should be read together with the accompanying Target Notes (TNs) and photographs. Habitat descriptions are provided below; plant species