Site: Land South-east of NNUH off Colney Lane, Norfolk Work Preliminary Ecological
Item: Appraisal (2019)
Client: Priscilla Bacon Norfolk Hospice Care Ltd
Author: Dr GW Hopkins CEnv MCIEEM Date: 22 September 2019
Hopkins Ecology Ltd, St George’s Works, 51 Colegate, Norwich NR3 1DD T. 01603 435598 M: 07481 477103 E: [email protected] W: www.hopkinsecology.co.uk
CONTENTS
SUMMARY 1 1. INTRODUCTION 2 2. METHODS 3 3. DESIGNATED SITES 5 4. SITE DESCRIPTION 7 5. SCOPING FOR SPECIES OF CONSERVATION CONCERN 9 6. DISCUSSION 12 7. APPENDIX 1: PHOTOGRAPHS 16 8. APPENDIX 2: LEGISLATION SUMMARY 18
SUMMARY Hopkins Ecology Ltd was appointed by Code DP on behalf of Priscilla Bacon Norfolk Hospice Care Limited to prepare an ecological appraisal of a plot of Land South-east of Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH), off Colney Lane, for a proposed 24 bed end of life hospice with associated offices and car parking. The Site lies south of the internal boundary road of the NNUH, with an access route off this and through a young plantation, then cutting into an adjacent field where the main development Site extends to ~2.8ha. This report covers the proposed re-located site for the hospice, the boundaries of which are roughly 170m north-east of the location surveyed and assessed by Hopkins Ecology Ltd in 2018. As well as a Phase 1 habitat survey and species scoping, the assessment is further informed by a data search and survey work for the adjacent ‘Newfound Farm’ residential scheme, where an extensive suite of surveys were undertaken in 2010. The on-Site habitats comprise a deciduous plantation dating from the 1990s, with access proposed through this. The main area is arable cropland, with a verge of improved grass sward separating this form the plantation. A defunct hedgerow runs along the north boundary. No habitats of principal importance are present, with the hedgerow considered to have too little woody vegetation to qualify. Great crested newts are scoped out on the basis that there are no ponds within 250m. There is a record of a small badger sett from the west of the Site, but no evidence of current presence of this species was found in the plantation or other nearby areas. None of the trees have roost potential, but the plantation edge may be used by commuting bats. Other species of conservation concern potentially present include nesting birds, hedgehogs and widespread but declining invertebrates. These are likely to be present as components of larger local populations and are of value at the local scale only. No additional surveys are currently recommended. However, if lighting and development impacts on the woodland and plantation edges cannot be avoided then bat surveys are recommended to assess the importance of these areas for bats. Scheme design should consequently aim to minimise impacts on the woodland and plantation edges. The site is within a sub-regional green infrastructure corridor and this provides a strategic context for enhancement measures, such as soft landscaping and other measures including bird boxes, retention of felled timber on-Site and ensuring that hedgehogs have access through the completed scheme. Clearance of vegetation should be outside of the nesting bird season.
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1. INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND 1.1 Hopkins Ecology Ltd was appointed by Code DP on behalf of Priscilla Bacon Norfolk Hospice Care Limited to prepare an ecological appraisal of a plot of Land south-east of Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH), off Colney Lane, for a proposed 24 bed end of life hospice with associated offices and car parking. The Site lies south of the internal boundary road of the NNUH, with an access route off this and through a young plantation, then cutting into an adjacent field where the main development Site extends to ~2.8ha. 1.2 This report covers the proposed re-located site for the hospice, the boundaries of which are roughly 170m north-east of the location surveyed and assessed by Hopkins Ecology Ltd in 2018. SITE CONTEXT 1.3 The Site is within the Mid Norfolk Natural Character Area1, which is characterised as an: “ancient countryside with a long settled agricultural character, where arable land is enclosed by winding lanes and hedgerows, interspersed by woodland and heath and dissected by lush pastoral river valleys”. LEGISLATION AND PLANNING POLICY 1.4 The following key pieces of nature conservation legislation are relevant to legally protected species (with a more detailed description in Appendix 2): • The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (the Habitats Regulations); and • The Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 (as amended). 1.5 Also, the National Planning Policy Framework (MHCLG, 20192) requires local authorities to avoid and minimise impacts on biodiversity and, where possible, to provide net gains in biodiversity when making planning decisions. A substantial number of habitats and species are of conservation concern in the UK. A small number of these species are fully protected under the legislation listed above, but others in England are recognised as Habitats / Species of Principal Importance under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 and reinforced by the National Planning Policy Framework. For these habitats / species local planning authorities are required to promote the “protection and recovery” via planning and development control. Examples include hedgerows, and species such as the widespread reptiles, house sparrows and soprano pipistrelle and noctule bats. 1.6 Although the NPPF has an overarching aim of minimising impacts to biodiversity, the majority of species of conservation concern are not specifically recognised by legislation or planning policy. The level of protection afforded to these is undefined and should be considered within the overall aim of minimising impacts on biodiversity.
1 Natural England (2014) NCA Profile 84: Mid Norfolk. Available from: http://www.greaternorwichgrowth.org.uk/dmsdocument/1590 2 MHCLG (2019) National Planning Policy Framework for England. Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, London.
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2. METHODS PERSONNEL 2.1 This ecological assessment was prepared by Dr Graham Hopkins CEnv MCIEEM FRES, who holds full survey licences for great crested newts and bats. He has over 15 years of consultancy experience in East Anglia. DATA SEARCH 2.2 At the desk study comprised a formal data search from the local records centre commissioned in 2015 and a review of relevant data from and information from other sources (Table 1). The location of designated sites and other relevant features was verified with reference to the survey reports accompanying unrelated schemes. Table 1. Overview of desk study data sources. Source Information Norfolk Biodiversity Information Designated sites, species of conservation concern; 2km Service search radius MAGIC (www.magic.gov.uk) Additional information on statutory sites, habitats of principal importance and wider countryside information South Norfolk DC and GNDP Information regarding local green infrastructure proposals planning policy documents Local Planning Applications, Recent survey data for protected species locally, including manual searching of the Broadland negative data DC website Various literature and web-based Information on local projects and initiatives of potential searches relevance as well as some species-level data, including the Norfolk Wildlife Trust Living Landscape3 and Buglife B-Line4 (bee-line) initiatives Historic maps of Norfolk Aerial photographs from 1988 and 1946 (with Google Earth (http://www.historic- for later images); OS maps from 1880s and earlier maps.norfolk.gov.uk/)
2.3 Reference is also made to survey information from two nearby schemes: • Land Adjacent the NNUH5 (located to the north-east of the Site, separated by the hospital complex); • Land South-west of Newfound Farm6 (located on the farmland to the south and east of the Site, within 30m of the Site boundary); and • Land to The South of NNUH Colney Lane7 (a hospice application immediately west of the Site and with the access route very similar to the current Site).
3 http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/living-landscape 4 https://www.buglife.org.uk/b-lines-hub/map 5 2012/1880 | Proposed offices, etc | Land Adj Norfolk And Norwich University Hospital Colney Lane Colney Norfolk NR4 7UY 6 2013/1793 | Outline planning permission for a development for up to 650 dwellings etc | Land South- west Of Newfound Farm Colney Lane Cringleford Norfolk 7 2015/2924 | 25 bed end of life, not for profit hospice with associated offices and car parking | Land To The South Of Norfolk And Norwich Hospital Colney Lane Colney Norfolk
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FIELD SURVEY 2.4 The walkover survey was undertaken on 07 September 2019. The description of habitats was based on the methods of JNCC (2010)8 and trees were surveyed from ground level for their potential suitability for roosting bats, looking for gaps, cracks and other voids9; searches were also made for signs of badgers. 2.5 Hedgerows were surveyed according to the guidance of DEFRA (2007)10, recording woody species within a 30m section and associated features such as banks, ditches and ground flora (see constraints). These are used to determine Important Hedgerows according to the Hedgerow Regulations as described in the text (‘Evaluation’), but also see ‘Constraints’ below. 2.6 The local presence of ponds (to a radius of 250m) was determined from OS maps and Google Earth and previous survey reports. GUIDANCE 2.7 The ecological assessment has been prepared with reference to best practice guidance published by the Chartered Institute for Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) and as detailed in British Standard 42020:2013 Biodiversity - Code of Practice for Biodiversity and Development. CONSTRAINTS 2.8 There are no significant constraints to the assessment.
8 JNCC (2010) Handbook for Phase 1 Habitat Surveys. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough. 9 Collins, J. (2016) Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists. Bat Conservation Trust, London. 10 DEFRA (2007) Hedgerow Survey Handbook. DEFRA, London.
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3. DESIGNATED SITES OVERVIEW 3.1 Within 2km of the proposed development Site there are a number of designated sites (Figure 1), mostly associated with the River Yare and its valley bottom. Figure 1. Designated sites within 2km. The current site is shown as the square, and the centre of the data search as the star symbol.
STATUTORY SITES 3.2 There are no Sites of Special Scientific Interest within 2km. There are two Local Nature Reserves that are designated as statutory sites but whose protection is via local planning policies (in a similar fashion to non-statutory sites) rather than legislation: Earlham Park Woods 1.2km north-east and Bowthorpe Marsh 1.8km north. NON-STATUTORY DESIGNATED NATURE CONSERVATION SITES 3.3 Within the 2km search area there are 14 non-statutory wildlife sites, all but three associated with the River Yare and the others within the wider countryside but >1.2km distant (Table 2).
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Table 2. County Wildlife Sites within 2km. Site name Location Description UEA Marsh (1447) 0.9km north-east River Yare floodplain marshy grassland and reedbed with willow scrub. Butterfly Meadow (1448) 0.95km north-east Scrub on neutral grassland managed for butterflies. UEA Broad (1449) 1.1km east Large mesotrophic lake with limited aquatic vegetation but moderately species rich marginal vegetation. Bray Meadow (233) 1.25km west A wet neutral unimproved grassland with a pond. The Heronry and Violet 1.45km north-east A floodplain with diverse habitats including Grove (1446) dense tall marsh, unimproved and semi improved neutral grassland and various woodland types. Softley Drive Meadow 1.5km east Wet woodland adjacent to the River Yare. (2217) River Yare West and East 1.45km north A 2.9 km stretch of river that is species rich in (240) aquatic, marginal and emergent species. Bluebell Marsh (1445) 1.55km east Reedbed and marshy grassland. Bowthorpe Riverside 1.75km north Unmanaged floodplain marshy grassland with a (1450) small woodland component. Earlham and Colney 1.75km north-east Grazed meadow on the floodplain of the river Marshes (1451) Yare. Meadow Farm Meadow 1.9km south-east A horse grazed marshy meadow with springs, (199) tall fen, scrub and woodland. Bawbugh/Colney Gravel 1.90km north- Flooded gravel pits. Pits (235) west Bowthorpe Marsh (2012) 1.75km north Tall herb fen.
GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE 3.4 Green Infrastructure (GI) is considered to be a key requirement for development in the Norwich fringes, with the policy requirements originating in the Joint Core Strategy11. The spatial vision for these corridors is informed by a Green Infrastructure Strategy (CBA, 200712) and associated studies (e.g. Green Networks: Norfolk Wildlife Trust, 200713). 3.5 The Site is located within a green infrastructure corridor identified14 as a ‘sub-regional green infrastructure corridor’: the South Norwich – Mulbarton – Diss Corridor. 3.6 The site is within a Living Landscape as promoted by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, as is all of South Norfolk, but it is not along a Buglife B-Line (bee-line).
11 Greater Norwich Development Partnership (2014) Joint Core Strategy for Broadland, Norwich and South Norfolk. Available from: http://www.greaternorwichgrowth.org.uk/planning/joint-core-strategy/ 12 CBA (2007) Greater Norwich Development Partnership. Green Infrastructure Strategy. A Proposed Vision for Connecting People, Places and Nature. Available from: http://www.greaternorwichgrowth.org.uk/dmsdocument/201 13 Norfolk Wildlife Trust (2006) Report of the Ecological Network Mapping Project for Norfolk. Available from: http://www.norfolkbiodiversity.org/pdf/news/Final_report_of_indicative_map_July%202006.pdf 14 http://www.greaternorwichgrowth.org.uk/dmsdocument/1590
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4. SITE DESCRIPTION OVERVIEW 4.1 The Site (Figure 2) lies along the south-east edge of the NNUH. Access road will be via the plantation that separate the main site from the NNUH access road, and the main Site is roughly square and located on an arable field and including a defunct hedgerow to the north. The proposed access cuts through a belt of deciduous plantation and includes a field verge of improved grass sward which is used as an occasional field track. The Site is ~2.8ha in area. Figure 2. Site location.
PHASE 1 HABITATS 4.2 The natural soil type is described as: ‘slightly acid loamy and clayey soils with impeded drainage’. The Phase 1 habitats within the Site are described as follows: • Improved grassland. The northern part of the main Site is a verge of permanent grass sward used as an occasional track. The sward is mainly rank grass with a few occasional ruderals: false oat grass Arrhenatherum elatius, rye grass Lolium species, cock’s foot Dactylis glomerata and occasional common bent Agrostis capillaris. The ruderals comprise species typical of improved swards with occasional disturbance: ribwort plantain Plantago lanceolata, yarrow Achillea millefolium, mallow Malva sylvestris, dove’s foot cranesbill Geranium molle and hawkbit Leontodon species. The tall ruderals are restricted to occasional stems of nettle Urtica dioica, broad-leaved dock Rumex obtusifolius, and ragwort Jacobaea vulgaris. • Deciduous plantation. The route for the proposed access cuts through a belt of plantation woodland, that presumably dates from the mid-1990s and incorporates a hedgerow along its eastern edge that was present in the 1980s. The most frequent trees and shrubs along the route of the access are hazel Corylus avellana, hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, privet Ligustrum vulgare, blackthorn Prunus spinosa and wild
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plum Prunus species. Other species in the vicinity are field maple, lime Tilia species, guelder rose Viburnum opulus, dogwood and horse chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum. The understorey is largely absent, due to heavy shade, but with a few bracken Pteridium aquilinum stems along the east margin. • Defunct hedgerow. The hedgerow along the north boundary is classed as defunct, with straggly hawthorn as the main species (2-4m tall) interspersed with frequent gaps. Ivy is frequent on the hawthorn stems, and hazel, field maple, elder and bramble are occasional components, such that it is 1-2m wide with a mainly sparse grass and tall ruderal flora: false oat grass, cock’s foot and common and creeping bent Agrostis stolonifera were the most frequent grass species with occasional sterile brome Anisantha sterilis. The herbs were a sparse component, those noted being nettle, hemlock Conium maculatum, broad-leaved dock, adventitious oil seed rape Brassica species, burdock Arctium minor, dove’s foot cranesbill and small bugloss Anchusa arvensis. • Arable. The field had been recently ploughed at the time of survey, but appeared to have been under wheat in 2019. The field is ploughed close the verges with little margin habitat.
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5. SCOPING FOR SPECIES OF CONSERVATION CONCERN BATS 5.1 The data search returned records for: barbastelle, serotine, Natterer’s, Leisler’s, noctule, Nathusius’ pipistrelle, common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle and brown long-eared. The majority are derived from a county-wide recording scheme for foraging bats15, and none appear to be of roosts. 5.2 Surveys of foraging bats from the Land South-west of Newfound Farm surveys included a static recording station at the junction of the woodland and hedgerow at the south-east corner of the Site. Soprano and common pipistrelles were frequently recorded with a moderate level of activity and Myotis species were recorded with a low level of activity. 5.3 None of the trees along the boundary, including the deciduous plantation block and hedgerow had potential roost features and all are of negligible roost potential. 5.4 The extent of bat foraging in the vicinity of the Site is likely to be low given the general paucity of native vegetation and the absence of features such as damp soil likely to produce an abundance of small flies as prey. The margin of the plantation however forms a linear feature in the landscape and may be of value as a potential commuting route east-west. As discussed, it is recommended that scheme and lighting design should aim to minimise impacts along these edges. GREAT CRESTED NEWTS 5.5 The records for great crested newts within 2km are from Little Melton (on the opposite side of the A47) and north of Bowthorpe (>1.5km distant). There are no ponds within 250m and great crested newts are therefore scoped-out due to the absence of suitable waterbodies within 250m. BIRDS 5.6 Records for a wide range of species were returned, including farmland species typical of arable fields and margins. Surveys for Land South-west of Newfound Farm identified a moderately high density of skylarks on the adjacent arable fields in 2010. 5.7 No skylarks were noted over the adjacent fields at the time of survey, and the cereal crop appeared too dense to be suitable for nesting. The plantation woodland generally lacks cover or features such as holes or ivy for nesting. 5.8 Nesting birds are a low risk but cannot be wholly discounted from the crop area, hedgerow and plantation. REPTILES 5.9 Records of reptiles locally are for grass snakes and slow worms, mostly along the River Yare valley and campus of the University of East Anglia. Other surveys locally reported the following: • Land Adjacent the NNUH, recorded only a singleton grass snake adjacent to Hethersett Lane.
15 http://www.batsurvey.org/
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• Land South-west of Newfound Farm did not record any reptiles. The survey locations included the south edge of the adjacent woodland and the connecting hedgerow, i.e. habitat units directly connected to the Site were surveyed. 5.10 The on-Site habitats are of mostly very low or negligible potential value for reptiles. Along the boundaries to the tall ruderal vegetation and plantation / woodland edges there is rough grass and open habitat of potential value. However, it is thought unlikely that any reptiles are present locally given their absence from surveys nearby, with at most infrequent, transitory singletons of grass snakes. BADGERS 5.11 The data search records are for roadkill individuals but not setts, although there are historic records of a sett from west of the Site. There was no evidence of badger activity in the plantation or elsewhere and it is concluded that badger setts are absent from the Site and surrounding areas. SMALL MAMMALS 5.12 Small mammals are assessed as follows: • Hedgehogs are known locally from numerous records and are assumed to be present in the vicinity. The margins and hedgerow habitat offer foraging habitat and possibly some locations for shelter. They are likely to be present in low numbers on the boundaries and foraging on Site. • Brown hares are known locally but they were not recorded by the Land South-west of Newfound Farm surveys and the Site is probably too isolated from farmland by the A47 and NNUH to be suitable. They are considered to be absent. INVERTEBRATES 5.13 The on-Site habitat lacks specialist habitats of relevant to significant invertebrate assemblages. Across the entire Land South-west of Newfound Farm site only a few scarce species were recorded. At most there may be a few widespread but declining species on-Site, in the rough margins habitat of the boundaries and track. SUMMARY 5.14 The overall summary of the protected species scoping is provided below (Table 3).
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Table 3. Summary of protected species scoping. Species Data search result On-site habitat Scoping assessment group Great crested No records nearby, east of No ponds within 250m, Considered absent, newts the A47. Bats Foraging records for 8 No trees with roost Roosts absent, probably species. potential, lower quality of low importance for foraging habitat. The foraging but possibility of plantation is a linear commuting activity along feature. the plantation edge. Breeding Moderate density of skylarks No skylarks noted Cannot be wholly birds on adjacent Newfound Farm during survey discounted from the crop site, and other farmland Field margin areas area, hedgerow and species locally. suitable. plantation. Reptiles Grass snakes and slow Potentially suitable Considered absent other worms within 2km but habitat along margins. than for infrequent surveys on adjacent transient grass snakes. Newfound Farm site, directly connected to this Site proved negative in 2010. Badgers Sett reported to west. No evidence within Considered absent from 30m of the Site. Site and adjacent areas. Hedgehogs Several records locally. Cover and foraging Potentially present. habitat present. Brown hares Numerous records locally. Habitat isolated in Considered absent. landscape. Invertebrates Records for small Specialist Only a small number of assemblage of widespread microhabitats and widespread but declining but declining moths. resources absent. moths species are potentially present.
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6. DISCUSSION EVALUATION Habitats: On-Site 6.1 The intrinsic value of the Site is considered to be low. No Habitats of Principal Importance16 are present. The hedgerow does not qualify on the basis that it is defunct and with too little native shrub cover. Species 6.2 Many species are scoped out as being potentially present. The species scoped in as possibly or likely to be present are: • Bats, principally on the basis of possible commuting along the plantation edge. • Breeding birds: species of field margin habitat are potentially present. • Hedgehogs: potentially present. • Invertebrates: only a small number of widespread species moths potentially present. 6.3 Other than for the possibility of commuting bats, the species scoped in are likely to be of local significance only as components of larger local populations. FURTHER SURVEYS 6.4 No further surveys are considered necessary to inform the baseline assessment. IMPACTS Designated Sites 6.5 It is not thought that impacts on designated sites are likely, based on the relatively small size of the scheme and distance to the nearest designated sites. Habitats and Species 6.6 The scheme layout is shown below (Figure 3). The direct loss of habitat is largely restricted to the arable area, with other losses of plantation for access and also the inclusion of the improved verge within the boundary. The significance of the loss of these is low. The scheme includes extensive areas of landscaping and there is therefore the opportunity for providing net gain through an increase in habitat area for a range of locally relevant species. 6.7 The Site lies adjacent to the plantation boundary and this has potential value for commuting bats. The scheme design should aim to minimise direct impacts along this edge via an appropriate lighting design. The Site landscape should also be arranged to provide a boundary feature along the remainder of the Site periphery, to provide additional bat foraging and commuting routes.
16 Maddock, A. (2011) UK BAP Priority Habitat Descriptions. Available from: http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/PDF/UKBAP_PriorityHabitatDesc-Rev2010.pdf
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Figure 3. Scheme layout.
MITIGATION OF CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS 6.8 The following are recommended to avoid harm during construction works: • Bats. Site compounds and lighting during construction should be kept away from the plantation edges. • Nesting birds. The nests of all birds are protected from destruction. Vegetation clearance along the field margins and the plantation should be outside of the nesting bird season (March-August inclusive). If this is not possible then a watching brief should be employed to confirm absence from areas of habitat prior to clearance. MITIGATION VIA SCHEME DESIGN 6.9 The plantation edge has the potential to be used by foraging and commuting bats. It is recommended that: • Lighting and as far as possible built development are minimised in these areas. • The crossing point where the access enters the field from the plantation should have minimal lighting, as physically low as possible to the ground. • Along the access route lighting should aim to minimise spill towards the plantation edge, via lighting design and possibly with structural planting to provide a screen. • The Site boundary including the remaining boundaries should have linear planting of structural vegetation to offer foraging and commuting features around the Site.
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DESIGN AND ENHANCEMENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES Strategic Context 6.10 As noted, the Site is within a sub-regional green infrastructure corridor and consequently appropriate soft landscaping could contribute to this corridor by providing: • Structural planting along the Site boundaries and within the scheme. • Scrub and tree resources that are scarce locally, such as trees able to develop open growth forms. These should be large specimens such as oak or beech Fagus sylvatica and located where they will not impact built development. • Flower-rich areas of grassland and scrub matrix habitat, which will offer good flower resources from late spring through to autumn. Ornamental planting could contribute to offering such blossom and flower-rich vegetation also. 6.11 Such soft landscaping would be of value for: • Many species groups that need insect prey, including bats and also for the chicks and fledgling birds of many species such as house sparrows. • Other species potentially present, including the widespread but declining moths. 6.12 Shrubs suitable for structural planting within the scheme include species listed as typical of local hedgerows on the eastern loams of Norfolk (Norfolk County Council, undated17) namely: • Hawthorn, blackthorn, ash, maple, dogwood Cornus sanguinea, elm Ulmus species and hazel, with lesser amounts of crab apple Malus sylvestris, hornbeam Carpinus betulinus and holly Ilex aquifolium, and scattered examples of privet, oak, spindle Euonymus europaeus, dogwood Cornus sanguinea, aspen Populus tremula, wild cherry Prunus avium and guelder rose. 6.13 Where small trees are required then appropriate species include silver birch, rowan Sorbus aucuparia, whitebeams Sorbus species, and fastigiate forms of hornbeam. Where possible, structural planting should be well-spaced and interspersed with lower vegetation to create a mosaic of habitat conditions. 6.14 Additional measures should include: • Bird boxes relevant to a number of species potentially present locally, and where possible these should be erected on buildings. Suitable boxes are those designed specifically for house sparrows and swifts. • The scheme should allow for the continued movements of hedgehogs, with perimeter fencing including gravel boards to allow them to pass through18. • Retaining felled timber from the plantation on-Site or nearby to create additional habitat in understorey areas, alongside existing structural planting and new landscaping.
17 Norfolk County Council (undated) Planting Hedges in Norfolk – Maintaining Regional Character. Available from: http://www.norfolkbiodiversity.org/pdf/reportsandpublications/HedgeBookletPROOF4.pdf 18 https://www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/News/outdoor-living/new-hedgehog-friendly-gravel-boards- winter-news-topical-treats-and-more-6511.aspx
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CONCLUSION 6.15 Most of the Site is of very low or negligible ecological value and most species of conservation concern are scoped out. Those identified as potentially relevant are: bats, as potentially commuting individuals along the plantation edge, nesting birds, hedgehogs and widespread but declining moths. 6.16 Lighting is identified as a possible impact, particularly on bats along the plantation edge. The lighting design should aim to minimise light spill onto these areas. 6.17 The presence of the Site within a sub-regional green infrastructure corridor provides a strategic context to enhancement and mitigation measures, and it is recommended that the scheme landscaping includes a high proportion of native species. Other relevant measures include features such as bird boxes, retention of felled timber on-Site and ensuring that hedgehogs have access to the scheme area.
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7. APPENDIX 1: PHOTOGRAPHS Figure 4. View across the Site form the north-east with plantation in distance.
Figure 5. The defunct hedgerow looking east.
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Figure 6. The track looking south, with the plantation to the east.
Figure 7. The interior of the plantation.
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8. APPENDIX 2: LEGISLATION SUMMARY Non-technical account of relevant legislation and policies. Species Legislation Offence Licensing Bats: Conservation of Deliberately capture, injure or kill a A Natural England (NE) European Habitats and bat; deliberate disturbance of bats; licence in respect of protected Species or damage or destroy a breeding development is required. species Regulations 2017 site or resting place used by a bat. (as amended) [The protection of bat roosts is Reg 41 considered to apply regardless of whether bats are present.] Bats: Wildlife and Intentionally or recklessly obstruct Licence from NE is required National Countryside Act access to any structure or place for surveys (scientific protection 1981 (as used for shelter or protection or purposes) that would involve amended) S.9 disturb a bat in such a place. disturbance of bats or entering a known or suspected roost site. Birds Wildlife and Intentionally kill, injure or take any No licences are available to Countryside Act wild bird; intentionally take, damage disturb any birds in regard to 1981 (as or destroy the nest of any wild bird development. amended) S.1 while that nest is in use or being built. Intentionally or recklessly disturb a Schedule 1 species while it is building a nest or is in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young; intentionally or recklessly disturb dependent young of such a species [e.g. kingfisher]. Great Conservation of Deliberately capture, injure or kill a Licences issued for crested Habitats and great crested newt; deliberate development by Natural newt: Species disturbance of a great crested newt; England. European Regulations 2010 deliberately take or destroy its eggs; protected (as amended) or damage or destroy a breeding species Reg 41 site or resting place used by a great crested newt. Great Wildlife and Intentionally or recklessly obstruct A licence is required from crested Countryside Act access to any structure or place Natural England for surveying newt: 1981 (as used for shelter or protection or and handling. National amended) S.9 disturb it in such a place. protection Adder, Wildlife and Intentionally kill or injure any No licence is required. common Countryside Act common reptile species. However, an assessment for lizard, grass 1981 S.9(1) and the potential of a site to snake slow S.9(5) support reptiles should be worm undertaken. Scientific Wildlife and To carry out or permit to be carried Owners, occupiers, public Interest Countryside Act out any potentially damaging bodies and statutory (SSSI) 1981 (as operation. SSSIs are given undertakers must give notice amended) protection through policies in the and obtain the appropriate Local Development Plan. consent under S.28 before undertaking operations likely to damage a SSSI. All public bodies to further the conservation and enhancement of SSSIs.
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Species Legislation Offence Licensing County There is no Local sites are given protection Development proposals that Wildlife statutory through policies in the Local would potentially affect a local Sites designation for Development Plan. site would need to provide a local sites. detailed justification for the work, an assessment of likely impacts, together with proposals for mitigation and restoration of habitats lost or damaged.
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