Land Situated off Fall Road in Heanor Derbyshire Ecological Walk-over Survey A report to: Paul Gaughan Building Consultants Limited Rosscarbery House 4 Coronation Street Ilkeston Derbyshire DE7 5QH By: EMEC Ecology The Old Ragged School Brook Street Nottingham NG1 1EA Tel: 0115 964 4828 Fax: 0115 964 4829 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.emec-ecology.co.uk March 2013 Land Situated off Fall Road in Heanor, Derbyshire Ecological Walk-over Survey CONTENTS Chapter Page No. Executive Summary 3 1. Introduction 5 2. Site Description 5 3. Methodology 6 3.1 Desk Study 6 3.2 Ecological Survey 6 3.3 Ecological Evaluation Criteria 7 3.4 Mitigation Measures 7 4. Results 8 4.1 Desk Study 8 4.2 Ecological Walk-over Survey 10 5. Evaluation 16 5.1 Designated Nature Conservation Sites 16 5.2 Habitats 16 5.3 Protected/notable Species 17 5.4 Summary of Main Potential Ecological Issues 18 6. Mitigation, Compensation & Further Survey Recommendations 19 6.1 Mitigation Recommendations 19 6.2 Compensation Recommendations 20 6.3 Further Survey Recommendations 20 References 22 Appendix 1: Figures 23 Figure 1: Site Location Plan 23 Figure 2: Survey Area, Survey Features and Target Notes 24 Appendix 2: Protected Species Legislation 25 Appendix 3: Botanical Species List 27 Appendix 4: Desk Study Data 28 2 Prepared by EMEC Ecology Tel: 0115 964 4828 Land Situated off Fall Road in Heanor, Derbyshire Ecological Walk-over Survey EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Proposed Works The proposed works involve the residential development of an area of land off Fall Road in Heanor, Derbyshire (centred on grid reference SK 433 472). Up to date plans for the site are not yet available. However, it is currently expected that the development will not affect the area of wet woodland at the north-west of the site, adjacent to Bailey Brook. It is envisaged that this area will be managed as a wildlife area. Method of Study EMEC Ecology’s brief was to identify potential ecological issues associated with the proposed work and make recommendations for general mitigation, compensation and further surveys, as appropriate. To meet the requirements of the brief, a desk study and an ecological walk-over survey of the site were carried out. The desk study involved consulting various organisations to provide previous species records and information on designated sites of nature conservation importance from the site and vicinity. Results The area of secondary broadleaved wet woodland (namely, Bailey Brook Marsh) immediately bordering the north of the survey area is designated as a Local Wildlife Site (LWS). Bailey Brook Extension, an area of lowland swamp is listed as a potential LWS (pLWS) and is situated on the north side of Bailey Brook, 10m north of the survey area at its closest point. Neither of these sites are expected to be affected by the proposals. Bailey Brook which runs along the northern boundary of the site was considered to have the potential to support water vole and indeed a number of recent records exist for the watercourse. The banks were also considered to have the potential to support nesting kingfisher. The mature ash tree within the farmyard was noted to have features with the potential to support roosting bats. The trees, scrub, hedgerows and farm buildings within the survey area provide bird nesting habitat. Habitats such as the hedgerows and the wet woodland were considered to provide potential terrestrial habitat for amphibians including the specially protected great crested newt. Conclusions The main potential impact of the proposed works is considered to be disturbance to Bailey Brook, loss of grassland habitat, hedgerows and mature broadleaved trees, as well as potential disturbance to bats, water vole, great crested newt and nesting birds. Recommendations Mitigation Please refer to Sections 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 of the report for more detailed recommendations. Vegetation removal should be kept to a minimum and carried out outside of the bird breeding season which runs from March to September inclusive. All trees and hedgerows should be retained where possible. Environment Agency Guidelines for working within the vicinity of a watercourse (eg Pollution Prevention Guidance Note 5 ‘Construction within and adjacent to watercourses’) should be adhered to for works within the vicinity of Baileys Brook and the additional watercourse to the west. As badgers in the locality may use the survey area to forage, good working practices should be adhered to. Compensation A landscaping scheme should be considered for the development which could include open grassland areas and native shrub borders. The landscaping scheme should also include planting of trees and retention of hedgerows where possible. 3 Prepared by EMEC Ecology Tel: 0115 964 4828 Land Situated off Fall Road in Heanor, Derbyshire Ecological Walk-over Survey The management of grassland areas within the landscaping scheme could include areas that are less intensively managed to ensure that there is no loss of sheltering habitat for faunal species. Management of the woodland (Bailey Brook Marsh LWS) should aim to encourage a diverse range of structure and native species. Coppicing and/or pollarding of willow trees should be considered. Standing or fallen dead wood should be left in place wherever possible. In order to restrict access and hence protect the ground flora, the area should be fenced and footpaths created. To further enhance the woodland, supplementary habitat should be offered including bird, bat and insect nest boxes. A long-term management plan should be produced for the woodland. Further Survey As two ponds and an area of wetland lie within close vicinity of the survey area (approximately 25m away, immediately to the north of Bailey Brook; and 370m to the east, respectively) and as the survey area comprises habitats suitable for sheltering and foraging great crested newt, it is recommended that habitat assessments for great crested newt are carried out of these waterbodies. If it does become necessary to remove the mature ash in the farmyard, then an inspection of the features identified for any evidence of bats will be required prior to removal. As the proposed development is likely to affect the banks of the two water courses bordering the site, then further survey for water vole will be required. As the banks of Bailey Brook are considered suitable for nesting kingfisher, a thorough search for nest holes should be carried out. If it is necessary to carry out any vegetation removal or demolition of the farm buildings during the bird nesting season then a nesting bird survey must be carried out by a qualified ecologist immediately prior to removal. 4 Prepared by EMEC Ecology Tel: 0115 964 4828 Land Situated off Fall Road in Heanor, Derbyshire Ecological Walk-over Survey 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 This report has been prepared by EMEC Ecology for Paul Gaughan Building Consultants. It provides the details of a desk study and an ecological walk-over survey of an area of land off Fall Road in Heanor, Derbyshire, which is proposed for residential development. 1.2 The area of land where the works are proposed is centred on grid reference SK 433 472 on the northern outskirts of the town of Heanor. The location of the site is shown on Figure 1 in Appendix 1. 1.3 Up to date plans for the proposals are not yet available. However, it is currently expected that the development will not affect the area of wet woodland at the north-west of the site, adjacent to Bailey Brook. It is envisaged that this area will be managed as a wildlife area. 1.4 EMEC Ecology’s brief was to identify potential ecological issues associated with the works and make recommendations for general mitigation, compensation and further surveys, as appropriate. 1.5 To meet the requirements of the brief, a desk study and an ecological walk-over survey of the site was carried out by a suitably qualified ecologist. 2. SITE DESCRIPTION 2.1 Photographs of the site are provided in within the text. The site comprises cattle grazed grassland fields separated and bordered by hedgerows and stock fences. There are a large number of fruit trees within the central section of the site as well some scattered scrub. 2.2 Bailey Brook runs along the northern boundary of the landholding and a further small stream runs along the western border. 2.3 To the north and east of the site lies grassland and woodland which have been created on an area formerly used for opencast mining. To the south and west residential and industrial areas occur. 5 Prepared by EMEC Ecology Tel: 0115 964 4828 Land Situated off Fall Road in Heanor, Derbyshire Ecological Walk-over Survey 3. METHODOLOGY 3.1 Desk Study This involved consultation to obtain any existing records of protected and/or notable species and designated nature conservation sites e.g. Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Local Wildlife Sites (LWS) from the site to a distance of approximately 2km (this will be referred to as the ‘study area’). The following organisations were contacted: Derbyshire Wildlife Trust Multi-Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside (Magic web site for statutory nature conservation sites). National Biodiversity Network (nbn web site for protected species distribution). 3.2 Ecological Survey 3.2.1 Ecological Walk-over Survey An ecological walk-over survey of the site was conducted and notes were made on the Phase-1 habitat types present (JNCC 2010) and their suitability for protected species. Target notes were used to record any habitats or features of particular interest and any sightings, signs or evidence of protected or notable faunal species or any potential habitat for such species, as detailed below: The suitability of habitats for badgers (Meles meles) was recorded and any evidence of badgers including setts, dung pits, badger paths, hairs, bedding, footprints and scratching trees was noted.