ECOLOGICAL SURVEY ON LAND AND BUILDINGS AT WESTSIDE MILL, NEAR HULME END,

On behalf of

Fisher German Ltd

October 2009

Job Number: B-305-9

Report No: B-0305-9-R-091115

Blacktree Ecology Ltd Market Drayton Shropshire

www.Blacktreeecology.co.uk

Blacktree Ecology Ltd Shropshire 01630 657086 WWW.Blacktreeecology.co.uk

Ecological Survey On land at Westside Mill Near Hulme End, Staffordshire

On behalf of

Fisher German Ltd

October 2009

Although every care has been taken to compile as much detailed information as possible to meet the necessary requirements, no ecological survey can ensure complete assessment or prediction of the natural environment and results may vary depending on the season.

Jenny Hodgkiss BSc (Hons) Author Senior Ecologist

Checked By

Report Status Final V1.2

Date of Issue 8/12/09

DISTRIBUTION Date Issued To: Name No. 8/12/09 Fisher German Ltd Mr A Hardwick PDF 8/12/09 Blacktree Ecology Ltd File Copy 1

CONTENTS Chapter Page 1 NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY 1 2 INTRODUCTION 2 2.1 Background 2 2.2 Site description 2 2.3 Proposed works 3 2.4 Aims of Study 3 3 METHODOLOGY 5 3.1 Desk Study 5 3.2 Field Survey 5 4 RESULTS 7 4.1 Desk Study 7 4.2 Field Survey 8 5 ASSESSMENT 15 5.1 Conclusions 15 5.2 Constraints on study information 15 5.3 Potential Impacts 15 5.4 Legislation and Policy Guidance 16 6 RECOMMENDATIONS AND MITIGATION 17 6.1 Further Survey 17 6.2 Requirements for Habitat Regulations (EPS) licences 17 6.3 Mitigation Measures 17 7 REFERENCES 18 FIGURE 1 Site Plan 19 APPENDIX I Desk Study Data 20 APPENDIX II Photographs 27 APPENDIX III Bibliography and Further Reading 37

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1 Non-technical Summary Blacktree Ecology Ltd was contracted by Fisher German Ltd to carry out Ecological Surveys on habitats, for protected species and other wildlife on buildings and land at Westside Mill, Hulme End in Staffordshire. To fulfil this remit a desk study and daytime scoping visit were carried out to assess the habitats on and around the site and their ability to support bats, amphibians, badgers, breeding birds and other protected species and to find out whether they were present.

Westside Mill is south of Hulme End in North Staffordshire and adjacent to the . It is also within the . The area is dominated by semi-upland farming, with numerous small settlements. Historically small scale mining and quarrying also occurred in the region. The landscape along the river valley is gently rolling, but steep hills dominate the skyline in most directions. Mature trees follow the river course along the dale and tributaries. Field boundaries show a range of fencing, dry stone walls or hedgerow and mature trees can be seen on many of the margins.

The site is a small farm with several buildings loosely arranged around a farmhouse. The potential development centres on one building, a two-storey barn, east of the house, and fronting the road.

No signs of bat use or activity were found on site. Several mature trees mark the site boundaries around the farm and these should be retained as potential bat roosts. There were no signs of bat use in any of the buildings. Several of the surveyed buildings showed bird droppings, and it appears that blackbirds and smaller Passerines, such as sparrows or wagtails, occasionally forage here. Robin, wren and swallow nests were found within the development barn, and further nests were found in Building 2 and the garage. No signs of badger, otter, water vole or dormouse were found during the survey. However, the river may be used by otters for navigation and foraging.

Recommendations include retaining the extant hedgerow and trees along the boundaries and margins. It is also suggested that the barn is fitted with bat roost boxes as part of the development.

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2 Introduction

2.1 Background 2.1.1 Blacktree Associates was contracted by Fisher German Ltd to carry out an ecology and protected species scoping survey on land at Westside Mill, near Hulme End, Staffordshire.

2.1.2 To fulfil this remit a desk study and daytime scoping visit were carried out on 22nd October 2009, to assess the buildings and surrounding habitats on site and their ability to support bats, badgers, breeding birds and other protected species and to find out whether they were present.

2.1.3 This report presents the findings of those surveys.

2.2 Site Description 2.2.1 Westside Mill is a small farm, situated south of the village of Hulme End in North Staffordshire. The village of Hulme End is in north Staffordshire, close to the border. It is approximately 10km east of Leek and is 13km to the north-east. The A515 (Buxton to Ashbourne road) is 5km to the east. There are a number of small villages and hamlets in this area of the Peak District, interconnected by a web of small roads.

2.2.2 The site has several buildings loosely arranged around a farmhouse. The potential development centres on one building, a two-storey barn, east of the farmhouse, and fronting the road.

2.2.3 The site is adjacent to the River Manifold and within 2km of the Dove. It is within the Peak District National Park area. The area is dominated by semi-upland farming, with numerous small settlements. Historically small scale mining and quarrying also occurred in the region. The landscape along the river valley is gently rolling, but steep hills dominate the skyline in most directions. Mature trees follow the river course along the dale and tributaries. Field boundaries show a range of fencing, dry stone walls or hedgerow and mature trees can be seen on many of the margins.

2.2.4 Westside Mill site lies within the South West Peak Natural Area. This is a Natural designation of the natural landscape, ecology, history and human activity. A summary of the natural Area is as follows:

The landscape of the South West Peak is characterised by Millstone Grits and Coal Measures formed during the Carboniferous period. Folding and faulting of the rock and erosion by water courses has produced a varied and dramatic landscape. The high altitude and heavy rainfall have created acidic soils dominated by moorland vegetation. In the north, large areas are covered by blanket peat deposits. Fast-

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flowing streams have cut deep valleys or 'cloughs' which widen out towards the gently undulating farmland of the Shropshire, Staffordshire and the Cheshire Plain.

South West Peak is a mosaic of closely related landform and vegetation patterns. These include extensive tracts of wild, heather-dominated moorland and blanket bog with wooded cloughs. Around the small-scale enclosed farmsteads there are meadows, rushy pastures and more productive farmland. The area is important for moorland breeding birds including merlin, short-eared owl and curlew on heather moorland, golden plover on blanket bog and a range of ground-nesting waders on the associated in-bye pastures.

2.2.5 An annotated plan of Buildings 1 and 2 can be seen in Figure 1.

2.3 Proposed works 2.3.1 The proposed development is to convert Building 1.

2.4 Aims of study 2.4.1 The aims of this study are to identify habitats in and around the buildings and to investigate the site and surroundings for potential protected and priority species. If such potential exists it is also the aim of the scoping survey to identify the extent of use, specifically where any resting sites, roosts, burrows or setts occur.

2.4.2 It is also an aim of this report to identify which areas of the site, if any, are utilised by nesting birds.

2.4.3 The objectives of this report therefore, are to:

 Document the methodologies and findings of the surveys

 Evaluate the habitats on site

 Evaluate the site for protected species

 Detail all use of the site, observed and inferred, by protected species

 Make summary recommendations for further survey and/or mitigation if considered necessary

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3 Methodology

3.1 Desk Study 3.1.1 An ordnance survey map of the area was assessed to assist in drawing conclusions on the habitat within 1km of the site. This was to help provide guidance as to the potential presence of protected species (e.g. habitats such as woodland that may provide feeding for bats).

3.1.2 Records of protected species were searched for using NBN gateway (www.searchnbn.net), a website hosting records of species donated by ecological records centres and wildlife organisations from throughout the UK. Results are shown over a 10km radius but only records for Annex 2 species1 and otters (due to their often large territories) covering this area are necessary, for other protected species, including water voles and the majority of bat species, only those records within 2km of the development site are of relevance.

3.1.3 Protected sites, important wildlife areas and areas of ancient semi-natural woodland within a 2km radius were searched for using the mapping sites natureonthemap.org.uk and magic.gov.uk. Both nationally important and locally important sites were searched for and included: Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), National and Local Nature Reserves (NNRs and LNRs), sites belonging to the Wildlife Trust or similar conservation NGOs and any areas designated as locally important by the local authority. (Names for such sites vary from county to county and can include names such as Sites of Biological Importance, Biodiversity Alert Sites, Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation and other similar titles). Habitats that are listed as a priority on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan were also searched for.

3.2 Field Survey 3.2.1 The survey was carried out by Jenny Hodgkiss on the 22nd October 2009.

3.2.2 Ms Hodgkiss is an experienced professional ecologist with a background in a variety of ecological techniques including habitat, botanical, bird, mammal and herpetile surveys. She has undertaken training with the Bat Conservation Trust, Vincent Trust and Mammal Society. In addition Ms Hodgkiss holds great crested newt licences for England and Wales.

3.2.3 The habitats on site were surveyed and assessed using a variation of standard JNCC methodology for Extended Phase 1 Habitat surveys.

1 Those species afforded an even higher level of protection under the EC Habitats Directive, including four of the sixteen UK species of bat: the lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros), greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum), Bechstein’s bat (Myotis bechsteinii) and barbastelle bat (Barbastella barbastellus) AH PDF

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3.2.4 The site and surroundings were checked for signs of nesting birds and potential use. In the case of nesting birds, at this time of year this would look for signs of nests, attempted nests, eggs and fledgling remains.

3.2.5 Water courses, ponds and ditches (where present) were assessed for potential amphibian use.

3.2.6 The scoping survey for bats was carried out on buildings and mature trees using standard methodology as laid out by the Bat Conservation Trust Survey Guidelines and the Bat Workers Manual. This involves surveying for signs left by bats including:

. live and dead bats . droppings and urine staining . feeding remains . fur-rubbing marks and oil . claw marks . gaps and splits kept free of cobwebs by regular use . squeaking or chattering calls

3.2.7 Signs of other wildlife, including badgers, water voles, otters and birds of prey were also looked for including:

. Feeding remains and feeding activity signs . Footprints or claw marks . Pathways and regular routes . Droppings, scats or spraints . Regurgitated material (pellets) . Burrows, setts, nests or other identifiable places of rest . Distinctive smells . Moulted feathers or fur

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4 Results

4.1 Desk Study 4.1.1 There are no records of Annex 2 species found within 10km of the site. There are no records for other bat species within 2km.

4.1.2 There are records of otter within 10km of the site (on the River Dove near Ashbourne). There are no rivers or sizeable streams within 500m of the site. There will be no impact on the River Manifold and River, or any tributaries of these, as a result of development on site.

4.1.3 There are no great crested newt records within 10km of the site. There are no herpetile records within 2km.

4.1.4 There are records of white clawed crayfish within 10km and water vole within 3km of the site. The water vole records date from more that 20 years ago.

4.1.5 There is one statutory site for nature or conservation within 2km of the site. Hamp’s & Manifold Valleys Site of Special Scientific Interest is 1.3km from Waterside Mill. This is a mixed geological and nature site that covers 877Ha over 10km. The site has ancient semi-natural woodland, scrub and grassland. It is listed as having several uncommon plant species and important invertebrate communities (notable ground beetles, butterflies and moths). There is a second SSSI just 250m from Waterside Mill; however Ecton Copper Mines SSSI is listed for geological reasons.

4.1.6 There are no Local or National Nature Reserves within 2km.

4.1.7 The local farmland has a variety of Countryside and Environmental Stewardship schemes.

4.1.8 There are small areas of riparian, woodland and grassland habitats within 2km of the site. No direct impact on these habitats is anticipated as a result of this development.

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4.2 Field Survey 4.2.1 The layout of Building 1 is shown in Figure 1. Photographs of the site can be seen in Appendix 2.

Westside Mill

Building 1

4.2.2 Building 1 is a traditional style two-storey stone barn, with a slate roof. The slates are large. It has five rooms on the ground floor, and two on the first floor. Each of the ground floor rooms has an external door, and Rooms 3 and 4 share an internal door.

4.2.3 The exterior of the building is in very good repair, with pointing, stonework and mortar all in excellent condition. Windows are well fitting, and the roof and roof edges show no gaps or hollows.

4.2.4 The building interior was surveyed from west to east, north to south. Figure 1 shows the layout of the rooms and their numbering.

4.2.5 Room 1 runs the full width of the barn, and shows past use as a cattle byre (concrete dividing panels separate former stalls). The floor is concrete, and the stall area is slightly raised. The walls, and ceiling joist ends, are whitewashed and this looks freshly done (within 2 years or so). The room is in use as a store, but is neat and well ordered, and looks fairly clean. The ceiling timbers are clean, but show old-looking water damage and rot-holes. There are no beams, just floorboards laid on cross- joists. The joist ends are cemented (or plastered) into the walls. The dividing wall between this room and Room 2 has open timber slats midway up the wall.

4.2.6 No signs of bat use or activity were found. There were a few gaps in the ceiling timbers, but these were all shallow and full of cobwebs. A dead swallow (Hirundo rustica) juvenile was found in one corner. There were remains of swallow nests at several points, one of which appears to have been completed then broken. An intact nest shows signs of successful breeding use. Two other swallow nests have been adapted (one by robin (Erithacus rubecula), another is indeterminate).

4.2.7 There are a few spider webs where the walls and ceiling meet and around the window space.

4.2.8 Room 2 is smaller than 1. It has a blocked doorway into Room 5, and there are slatted gaps in the dividing walls between this room, 1 and 3. The ceiling is higher than for Room 1, and there a vertical gap between the two floors. Like Room 1 this area is in use as a storage space. It is dustier than 1, but still reasonably tidy. The walls are whitewashed.

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4.2.9 There was another swallow nest here. This had been adapted by another bird species in the past (it appeared to be by a pied wagtail (Motacilla alba), but no definite identification was possible. There was a dead feral pigeon (Columba livia) to the rear of the room, but the remains were too degraded to determine whether it was predated (for example by domestic cat) or died from other causes. There were no signs of bat use or activity. Cobwebs were more common here, and webs had trapped a red admiral butterfly (Vanessa atalanta), flies and other flying invertebrates.

4.2.10 Room 3 is similar in size and condition to 2. It occupies the north-east corner of the barn. The room is white washed, and the ceiling has several rot points, and holes. The room is in use as a log store, and the logs are stacked up the dividing wall with Room 2, almost to the slatted gap.

4.2.11 Several attempted swallow nests were found, and two that were intact. There were no signs of breeding success here. Droppings from small Passerine (Perching Bird Family) such as sparrows or robins, were found across the floor. No signs of bats were found. There were cobwebs across ceiling and upper walls, with particular concentrations around the doors and windows.

4.2.12 Room 4 is a smaller room in the rear (south) part of the barn. There is access into Room 3 from here. There is a blocked window-sized hole into Room 5. The ceiling in this section is in better condition, and the colour suggests it may have been white washed in the past. The room is white washed and has fittings for calves or sheep. The lower walls show staining from damp or livestock use.

4.2.13 There were no signs of bats in this room. There was a swallow nest that showed signs of successful breeding use, and a further swallow nest that had recently (past 18 months) been adapted by a robin. Cobwebs were noted around the upper walls, ceiling and window area.

4.2.14 Room 5 is a small, double-height, space that shows signs of use for poultry keeping. It is open to the underside of the roof, where most of the roof mortar is missing, but joists are in good condition. This room has not been white washed, but is still in good repair, with signs of regular repointing etc. The room has an access into Upper Room 2 (over Room 4) via a first floor doorway. The north wall dividing it from Room 2 is very thick and appears to have been the exterior wall of the barn at some point.

4.2.15 Room 5, unsurprisingly, shows bird droppings across the nest boxes and perches. These are consistent with chickens or similar-sized birds. There are no signs of bat use, and no visible bird nests. There are cobwebs across the upper walls and roof space, and thickly around the window and back of the door.

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4.2.16 The upper level of the barn was accessed via a ceiling hatch in Room 2. Upper Room 1 is an L-shaped, large, space that has two floor levels. The room is open to the underside of the roof. There are windows and wall hatches in the north and east walls. The walls have been white washed in the past. The roof timbers are quite clean, and free of cracks or splits. They rest on top of the walls, beneath the roof slates, and there are gaps between the wood and slate where the roof mortar has eroded. These holes were checked by endoscope. The flooring was in poor condition, with several places where previous water damage has thinned and weathered the planks. There are also a number of rot-holes, most of which have been covered.

4.2.17 There were no signs of bat use or activity in this room. The upper walls and roof space showed layers of cobwebs, old enough in places to have felted. No nests were found, but a robin was foraging in different areas of the room during the survey. Bird droppings could be seen in all areas of the room, including pigeon, small Passerine and small Corvid (Crow Family) such as jackdaw or magpie.

4.2.18 Upper Room 2 is a small space over Room 4. The roof slope forms the south wall of the room, and there is a window in the east wall. The roof timbers are sunk into the wall tops, and gaps filled by plaster or mortar. There was thick dust and fallen roof mortar across the floor. It has been white washed in the past.

4.2.19 Room 2 has dense cobwebs on all walls and across the roof space. There were no visible signs of nesting, but a few bird droppings could be seen. There were no signs of bats. Dead flies were found in cobwebs around the window.

Building 2

4.2.20 Building 2 is a long, single storey, traditional barn that abuts the south-west corner for Building 1. It is of the same stone as Building 1 but has a roof of smaller slates. It is a low, narrow, barn with four room spaces, all open to the roof. The rooms were all tidy and quite clan and all showed signs of regular maintenance including white wash. The roof in the east-most room (Store 3) was supported by an old beam with brick covering.

4.2.21 There were no visible bird nests, and no signs of bats in any of the rooms. There were bird droppings (consistent with sparrow or robin) in most of the rooms. All rooms had cobwebs, dead flies and other invertebrates (wasp, mosquitoes etc).

Other Buildings on Site

4.2.22 There is a barn converted into a garage in the west side of the site. This building is away from the proposed development area so it was not closely surveyed internally. The exterior is consistent with the other barns on site, and it was tidy and in good AH PDF

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repair. The rooms examined showed a general clean and tidy condition with white washed walls. The ceiling timbers were weathered in places. The upper level was looked at from the north gable hatch, but was not entered due to the condition of the timbers. The building had a damp feel, and there were signs of water damage and damp stains.

4.2.23 The farmhouse is also stone with a slate roof and follows a broad base T-shape, where the bottom of the ‘T’ faces north. There are three chimney stacks, two are rendered, but one is of large red sandstone blocks. There are a few slates along the north gable end that appear to show gaps into the north attic space.

Wider Surroundings

4.2.24 The wider surrounding habitat is a continuation of grass-dominated agricultural use with smaller areas of arable or silage cropping. There are more upland areas visible east, north and west. Locally the grassland is acid to neutral, but the upland areas have a neutral to calcareous character. Mature trees, most commonly ash, sycamore and oaks, can be seen along field boundaries and within fields. Mature trees also follow the river banks, west of the site. No signs of badger or dormouse were found in nearby fields and hedgerows.

4.2.25 The River Manifold is approximately 7m wide closest to the site. The flow is quite brisk, and there is moderate to high silt and solids within the water column. Water is more than 0.25m deep and the bottom is not visible. The river has eroded the banks, and levels of higher flow are indicated by the erosion line up to 30cm above the current level.

4.2.26 The banks are steep but not high and no water vole burrows or signs of otter holts or resting spots was found, even around the occasional exposed tree roots. There were no signs of any water vole or otter activity here. The bank is not high enough for kingfishers to nest in this section.

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Protected Species Scoping

4.2.27 Badgers

There were no signs of badgers within the survey area. No setts, latrines, tracks, paths or foraging signs were found.

4.2.28 Dormice

There were no signs of dormice within the survey area. No nests or feeding remains were found.

There is no suitable woodland or scrub habitat around the site.

4.2.29 Bats

4.2.30 No signs of bats were found within the buildings surveyed on site. Building 1 (as the potential development site) and Building 2 (because it is so close to Building 1) were checked closely for evidence of bats and none was found.

4.2.31 The farm house does have potential as a bat roost. The roof edge shows small gaps where slates have shifted and attics are used for roosting by several bat species.

4.2.32 Although no signs of bats were found in trees nearby there are a number of trees within 250m of the barns that have large boles, loose bark and holes. These trees have potential as summer bat roosts.

4.2.33 Herpetiles

4.2.34 No signs of amphibians were found in or around the site during the survey. There were no ponds within 250m of the buildings. There are no potential refugia or terrestrial habitats around Buildings 1 and 2.

4.2.35 No signs of reptiles were found. Building 1 is on a north-facing (quite gentle) slope.

4.2.36 Connectivity and cover along possible navigation routes is limited locally as vegetation is short around dry stone walls, and hedgerows are infrequent. These factors also reduce the potential for herpetile use.

4.2.37 Birds

4.2.38 No signs of barn owls were found, including droppings, pellets, feeding or nesting remains. The river banks were not suitable for nesting kingfisher.

4.2.39 During the survey wren, robins, dunnock, house sparrows, pied wagtail, wood pigeons, feral pigeons, blackbirds, crow and jackdaw were recorded using the site and surroundings. It is likely that some of the birds are using the nearby mature trees and hedgerow sections throughout the year (as opposed to just over-wintering here) and will nest within these areas.

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5 Assessment

5.1 Conclusions 5.1.1 The surveyed buildings show no signs of bat use or activity. Building 1 shows nesting attempts by swallows, pied wagtail and robin in the past. There are two recent (past 18 months) nests in the surveyed buildings; one from swallows and one robin (adapted from a swallows nest). The signs suggest one or possibly two pairs of swallows making repeat attempt to breed and other species taking advantage of the nest cups. No signs of barn owls were found in the surveyed areas. Invertebrates, particularly spiders, were noted in all the buildings.

5.1.2 The nearby river is not suitable for kingfishers to nest. There were no signs of otter or water vole along here, although otters may use the river for foraging and navigation.

5.1.3 Common bird species were using hedgerow sections and mature trees around the site. No signs of ground nesting by birds were found.

5.1.4 No signs of badger setts or activity were found within the survey area. No signs of dormice were found, and the nearby habitats lack suitability.

5.1.5 The survey area showed a very limited potential for herpetiles, with no ponds for breeding amphibians. The hedgerows and treebelts on site would offer cover and navigation routes for herpetiles, but the assessed potential use is compromised due to the presence of pheasants in both surveyed treebelts.

5.2 Constraints on Study Information 5.2.1 There were no constraints associated with the survey. Survey conditions were fair, with dry weather giving way to rain and light winds. Although late in the season, the vegetation growth was still good and there had been no frosts.

5.3 Potential Impacts 5.3.1 There will be little negative impact on wildlife as a result of development of buildings and land at Westside Mill.

5.3.2 Buildings 1 and 2 are in regular use, and levels of human activity and disturbances are high. The buildings are also very well maintained and appear to be regularly white washed. The buildings showed low levels of use by wildlife. The area surrounding the buildings is short-swart semi-intensive grassland, that grazing keeps in check.

5.3.3 There will be permanent loss of nesting habitat in Building 1 for the pair of swallows. There is still access into other buildings on site.

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5.4 Legislation and Policy Guidance 5.4.1 All birds, their nests and eggs are protected by law and it is an offence, with certain exceptions to:

 Intentionally kill, injure or take any wild bird;

 Intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built;

 Intentionally take or destroy the egg of any wild bird;

 Intentionally (or recklessly in England and Wales) disturb any wild bird listed on Schedule 1 while it is nest building or is at (or near) a nest with eggs or young; or disturb the dependant young of such a bird (e.g. kingfishers, barn owls etc).

5.4.2 All species of bat and their roosts, resting places and breeding sites receive protection under the law. Bat roosts are protected even when the bats are absent.

5.4.3 In England, Scotland and Wales all bat species are fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (WCA) through inclusion in schedule 5. In England and Wales this Act has been amended by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CroW).

5.4.4 All bats are also listed under Schedule 2 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c) Regulations 1994 which transcribes the EC Habitats Directive into UK law.

5.4.5 In combination, this legislation makes it an offence to:

 Deliberately or recklessly take, injure or kill a bat

 Deliberately or recklessly damage or destroy a place or structure used by bats for shelter or protection (in this instance, a roost).

 Deliberately or recklessly obstruct access to a bat roost.

 Deliberately or recklessly disturb bats while occupying a roost.

5.4.6 If any protected species is found during development, all works must stop and the site manager must contact Natural England for help and advice.

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6 Recommendations and Mitigation

6.1 Further Survey 6.1.1 No further surveys for protected species are anticipated based on planned works.

6.2 Requirements for Habitat (EPS) licences 6.2.1 There is no current need for a development licence based on the proposed works.

6.3 Mitigation 6.3.1 There are no protected species using the site, so no formal mitigation is required.

6.3.2 It is suggested that the conversion of Building 1 should include provision for roosting bats by the inclusion of Batbrick units (or similar). These units are approximately the size of a cinder block and are set into exterior walls (avoid north, north-west or due south facing walls) at roof height (either gable end would be suitable).

6.3.3 Exterior lighting around the buildings, where necessary, should be kept to a minimum. This is to avoid disturbance to bat roosts (where created) and of other wildlife. Exterior lighting, where used, should be of a downwards-facing type and preferably motion-sense activated.

6.3.4 The hedgerows sections along boundaries should be retained together with all boundary and mature trees.

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7 References

Figure 1: Site Plan

Appendix I: Desk Study Data

Appendix II: Photographs

Appendix III: Bibliography and Further Reading

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FIGURE 1: SITE PLAN (Annotated version of original provided by Fisher German)

Ground Floor: North is down.

First Floor:

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APPENDIX I: DESK STUDY DATA

Habitat Data i) Statutory Sites ii) Habitat Inventories

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Site Check Report You clicked on the point: Grid Ref: SK 102 589 Full Grid Ref: 410213, 358924 The following features have been found within 2,000 metres of your search point: Village Greens (England) There are no features within your search area.

Bathing Waters Directive (England) There are no features within your search area.

NUTS1 - Government Office Regions (England) Hotlink Name Reference http://www.statistics.gov.uk/geography/nuts_wm.asp UKG

Scheduled Monuments (England) Scale of Date Easting Name Northing Version Capture 1:10000 1078704000000 410026.245943 COPPER MINES ON ECTON HILL 358646.929144 A 1:10000 728265600000 410912.894572 BOWL BARROW SOUTH OF TOWNEND 360414.871152 A 1:10000 1078704000000 409627.990684 COPPER MINES ON ECTON HILL 358121.760672 A 1:10000 1078704000000 409914.061071 COPPER MINES ON ECTON HILL 358185.919641 A 1:10000 1078704000000 409686.214219 COPPER MINES ON ECTON HILL 358198.72335 A 1:10000 715478400000 409677.177059 HANGING BANK BOWL BARROW 357784.397065 A 1:10000 729820800000 408772.232233 BLAKE LOW BOWL BARROW 358850.139605 A 1:10000 716083200000 409667.1428 TOP OF ECTON BOWL BARROW 357362.266 A 1:10000 712972800000 410633.842092 BOWL BARROW ON ARCHFORD MOOR 358785.181908 A BOWL BARROW 200M SOUTH-WEST OF 1:10000 722476800000 409823.242509 357873.247408 A ECTON HILL

Protected Wreck Sites (England) There are no features within your search area.

Local Nature Reserves (England) There are no features within your search area.

Biosphere Reserves (England) There are no features within your search area.

National Nature Reserves (England) There are no features within your search area.

Ramsar Sites (England) There are no features within your search area . Special Protection Areas (England) There are no features within your search area.

Special Areas of Conservation (England) There are no features within your search area.

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Sites of Special Scientific Interest Units (England)

Site Unit Condition Citation Name Reference FAVOURABLE 1026614 HAMPS & MANIFOLD VALLEYS 1042673 FAVOURABLE 1014042 HAMPS & MANIFOLD VALLEYS 1082428 FAVOURABLE 1014092 HAMPS & MANIFOLD VALLEYS 1082429 UNFAVOURABLE NO CHANGE 1014039 HAMPS & MANIFOLD VALLEYS 1082430 UNFAVOURABLE RECOVERING 1014036 HAMPS & MANIFOLD VALLEYS 1042724 UNFAVOURABLE NO CHANGE 1014038 HAMPS & MANIFOLD VALLEYS 1042714 FAVOURABLE 1025922 ECTON COPPER MINES 1043135

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (England) Citation Name Reference 2000309 ECTON COPPER MINES 1006734 1002911 HAMPS & MANIFOLD VALLEYS 1002371

Registered Common Land (England) There are no features within your search area.

Countryside and Rights Of Way Act, Section 15 Land True Access Cut (England) There are no features within your search area.

Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 - Access Layer (England) Name Date Created Description AREA 2 Thu, 8 Sep 2005 COMBINED OC AND RCL. MILITARY BYELAW LAND HAS BEEN REMOVED. ACCESS LAYER 00:00:00 UTC THERE IS NO SECTION 28 OR RACECOURSES AND AERODROMES. AREA 2 Thu, 8 Sep 2005 COMBINED OC AND RCL. MILITARY BYELAW LAND HAS BEEN REMOVED. ACCESS LAYER 00:00:00 UTC THERE IS NO SECTION 28 OR RACECOURSES AND AERODROMES. AREA 2 Thu, 8 Sep 2005 COMBINED OC AND RCL. MILITARY BYELAW LAND HAS BEEN REMOVED. ACCESS LAYER 00:00:00 UTC THERE IS NO SECTION 28 OR RACECOURSES AND AERODROMES. AREA 2 Thu, 8 Sep 2005 COMBINED OC AND RCL. MILITARY BYELAW LAND HAS BEEN REMOVED. ACCESS LAYER 00:00:00 UTC THERE IS NO SECTION 28 OR RACECOURSES AND AERODROMES. AREA 2 Thu, 8 Sep 2005 COMBINED OC AND RCL. MILITARY BYELAW LAND HAS BEEN REMOVED. ACCESS LAYER 00:00:00 UTC THERE IS NO SECTION 28 OR RACECOURSES AND AERODROMES.

World Heritage Sites (England) There are no features within your search area.

Nitrate Sensitive Areas (England) There are no features within your search area.

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (England) There are no features within your search area.

Environmentally Sensitive Areas (England) Date Designated Hotlink Name Reference HTTP://WWW.NATURALENGLAND.ORG.UK/OURWORK/FARMING 1993 SOUTH WEST PEAK SP /FUNDING/CLOSEDSCHEMES/ESA/SOUTHWESTPEAK.ASPX

National Parks (England) Date of Reference Confirmation Hotlink Name Order Sun, 1 Apr 1951 HTTP://WWW.NATURALENGLAND.ORG.UK/OURWORK/CONSERVATION PEAK 8 00:00:00 UTC DESIGNATEDAREAS/NATIONALPARKS/PEAKDISTRICT.ASPX DISTRICT

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Moorland Line (England) Name MOOR

Less Favoured Areas (England) Reference Type B DISADVANTAGED AREA A SEVERELY DISADVANTAGED AREA

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Report on an Ecology Survey at Westside Mill - 24 - On behalf of Fisher German Ltd ii) Habitat Inventories

Site Check Report You clicked on the point: Grid Ref: SK 102 589 Full Grid Ref: 410233, 358924

The following features have been found within 2,000 metres of your search point:

Counties, Metropolitan Districts and Unitary Authorities (England) Geographic Level Name COUNTY STAFFORDSHIRE

NUTS1 - Government Office Regions (England) Hotlink Name Reference http://www.statistics.gov.uk/geography/nuts_wm.asp WEST MIDLANDS UKG

Traditional Orchards - Provisional (England) Site Habitat Priority Qualifier Number TRADITIONAL Priority Traditional Orchard habitat may be present but evidence is either insufficient to STAF0045 ORCHARD determine presence confidently or is in the oldest allowable category

Undetermined Grassland (England) There are no features within your search area.

Blanket Bog (England) There are no features within your search area.

Purple Moor Grass and Rush Pasture (England) There are no features within your search area.

Lowland Raised Bogs (England) There are no features within your search area.

Lowland Heathland (England) There are no features within your search area.

Lowland Dry Acid Grassland (England) Habitat Reliability of Feature definition Polygon id Priority qualifier Determination comment Priority habitat interpretation note version ATTRIBUTED DEFINITELY AUTOMATICALLY FROM LOWLAND DRY PRESENT WITHIN 1.2 0102:0028719 GOOD ENSIS DIGITAL DATA, NO ACID POLYGON BUT OTHER INFORMATION GRASSLAND NOT MAPPABLE AVAILABLE.

Lowland Calcareous Grassland (England) Habitat Reliability of Definition Polygon id Priority qualifier Determination comment Priority Habitat interpretation Version ATTRIBUTED DEFINITELY AUTOMATICALLY FROM LOWLAND PRESENT WITHIN 1.2 0102:0029891 GOOD ENSIS DIGITAL DATA, NO CALCAREOUS POLYGON BUT OTHER INFORMATION GRASSLAND NOT MAPPABLE AVAILABLE.

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Fens (England) There are no features within your search area.

Coastal and Floodplain Grazing Marsh (England) There are no features within your search area.

Lowland Meadows (England) Habitat Reliability of Priority definition Polygon id Feature note Priority qualifier interpretation habitat version PROBABLY THE PRIORITY SOME SCRUB HABITAT BUT SOME ENCROACHMENT LOWLAND 1.3 0114:0000253 MEDIUM (2) UNCERTAINTY OF VISIBLE FROM AERIAL MEADOWS INTERPRETATION AND PHOTOGRAPH. MAPPING PROBABLY THE PRIORITY HABITAT BUT SOME LOWLAND 1.3 0114:0000254 MEDIUM (2) UNCERTAINTY OF MEADOWS INTERPRETATION AND MAPPING DEFINITELY PRESENT LOWLAND 1.3 0111:0002865 HIGH (1) WITHIN POLYGON BUT NOT MEADOWS MAPPABLE

Upland Heathland (England) There are no features within your search area.

Reedbeds (England) There are no features within your search area.

Upland Hay Meadows (England) There are no features within your search area.

Upland Calcareous Grassland (England) Habitat Reliability of Feature Priority Determination definition Polygon id Priority habitat interpretation note qualifier comment version GRASSLAND: UPLAND DEFINITELY 1.1 0101:0006444 GOOD CALCAREOUS, CALCAREOUS IS UNIMPROVED GRASSLAND

Ancient Woodland (England) There are no features within your search area.

Forestry Commission Woodland (England) There are no features within your search area.

National Inventory of Woodland and Trees (England) Feature type Reference date Update type BROADLEAVED 310398 BROADLEAVED 310398 BROADLEAVED 310398 BROADLEAVED 310398 BROADLEAVED 310398 BROADLEAVED 310398

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Appendix 2: Photographs

Photo 1: Building 1, north and west sides of development barn. Building 2 on right

Photo 2: Building 1 east and north sides of barn. Showing adjacent dry stone wall

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Photo 3: Rear (south side) of Building 1, with building 2 on left

Photo 4: Front (north side) of Building 2

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Photo 6: Rear (south) of Building 2, with Building 1 to right and farmhouse just visible on left

Photo 7: Farmhouse with Building 2 just seen on left

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Photo 8: Building 3, garage viewed from north

Photo 9: River Manifold north-west of buildings, looking upstream

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Photo 10: River Manifold, looking downstream

Photo 11: Paddock north of buildings and road

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Photo 12: Metal-frame barn east of Building 1, showing fields beyond

Photo 13: Interior Room 1 (lower west) showing whitewashed walls and new ceiling timbers

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Photo 14: Room 2 (lower central) looking east into Room 3

Photo 15: Room 3 (lower east)

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Photo 16: Room 4 (lower south east)

Photo 17: Room 5 (lower south central) showing chicken coops and perches

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Photo 18: Upper room 1, looking north-east

Photo 19: South-west corner of Upper room 1

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Photo 20: Upper room 2 (over Room 4) looking west into Room 5

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APPENDIX III Bibliography and Further Reading

Bang, P. & Dahlstrom, P. (1974) Animal Tracks and Signs Collins, Glasgow.

Brown, Lawrence and Pope (1984) Animals of Britain and Europe – Their Tracks, Trails and Signs Middlesex, Country Life Books

English Nature (1998) The Water Vole Conservation Handbook Natural England, Peterborough

Gent, T. and Gibson, S. (2003) Herpetofauna Workers’ Manual JNCC, Peterborough

Harrison, Colin, Castell, Peter (2002) Collins Field Guide - Bird Nests, Eggs and Nestlings of Britain and Europe Collins, Glasgow

Heinzel, H., Fitter, R. & Parslow, J. (1992) Birds of Britain and Europe Collins, London

HMG (2000) Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 HMSO, London

HMG (1981) Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 HMSO, London

JNCC (2004) The Bat Workers Manual JNCC, Peterborough

Kruuk, Hans (2006) Otters: Ecology, Behaviour and Conservation Oxford University Press, Oxford

Lawrence, M.J. & Brown, R. W. (1967) Mammals of Britain, their Trails, Tracks and Signs Blandford Press, London

Mitchell-Jones, A. J. (2004) Bat Mitigation Guidelines English Nature, Peterborough

Mitchell-Jones, A. J. & McLeish, A. P. (2004) Bat Worker’s Manual (3rd Edition) JNCC, Peterborough

Richardson, Phil (2000) Distribution Atlas of Bats in Britain and Ireland 1980-1999 Bat Conservation Trust, London

Robertson, James (1990) The Complete Bat Chatto & Windus, London

Sample, Geoff (1996) Collins Field Guide: Bird Songs and Calls of Britain and Northern Europe Collins, Glasgow

Strachan, Rob (1995) Mammal Detectives Whittet Books, London

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Sutherland, William J. (1996) Ecological Census Techniques: A Handbook Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

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