Site at Castle Mill, Roger Dudman Way, Oxford
BREEAM Ecology Report
October 2011
ecoconsult ltd 23 Brumcombe Lane Bayworth Abingdon Oxfordshire OX13 6QU t: 01865 327438 / 327976 [email protected] www.eco-consult.co.uk
Castle Mill, Roger Dudman Way, Oxford Ecology Report October 2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Introduction ...... 2
2 Legislation ...... 5
3 Survey methodology...... 7
4 Results of data search...... 8
5 Results of phase 1 survey...... 12
6 Conclusions...... 18
7 BREEAM Multi-residential 2008 credits ...... 20
Appendix A: Data Search Results...... 27
Appendix B: Suitable native hedge and tree species...... 32
NB. Information on legally protected, rare or vulnerable species may appear in ecological reports. In such cases it is recommended that appropriate caution be used when circulating copies. Whilst all due and reasonable care is taken in the preparation of reports, EcoConsult Ltd accepts no responsibility whatsoever for any consequences of the release of this report to third parties.
© ecoconsult ltd 2011
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Castle Mill, Roger Dudman Way, Oxford Ecology Report October 2011
1 Introduction
1.1 Ecoconsult Ltd has been commissioned by Confluence to carry out an extended phase 1 habitat survey/BREEAM ecology report for land at Castle Mill, Roger Dudman Way, Botley, Oxford (see figure 1). There is a proposal to build apartment buildings on the site (see figure 2).
1.2 The following work has been undertaken to inform this report:
• an ecological data search up to 1km radius from the site boundary
• an extended phase 1 habitat survey
• a badger survey
• a reptile survey
1.3 Information has been used to describe habitats of nature conservation interest at the site and provide information on protected and notable species.
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Figure 1: Existing site and location of Castle Mill (inside red line)
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Figure 2: Proposed development layout
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2 Legislation
2.1 Wildlife in the UK receives protection under legislation including:
• The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended)
• The Protection of Badgers Act 1992
• The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010
• The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000
• The Natural Environment & Rural Communities Act 2006
2.2 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) receive protection under The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).
2.3 European sites including Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) receive protection under The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010. Regulation 61 (1) states:
‘61.—(1) A competent authority, before deciding to undertake, or give any consent, permission or other authorisation for, a plan or project which— (a) is likely to have a significant effect on a European site or a European offshore marine site (either alone or in combination with other plans or projects), and (b) is not directly connected with or necessary to the management of that site, must make an appropriate assessment of the implications for that site in view of that site’s conservation objectives.’
To determine whether there will be a ‘likely significant effect’, the procedure outlined in Figure 1 of the Circular 06/05: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation - Statutory Obligations and Their Impact Within The Planning System should be followed.
2.4 Protected species with the greatest potential to be impacted by the development include: badger, reptiles and nesting birds.
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2.5 Badgers are protected by the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 which makes it an offence to wilfully kill, injure, take, possess or cruelly ill-treat a badger, or to attempt to do so; or to recklessly interfere with a sett.
2.6 The four widespread species of reptile (common lizard, slow-worm, grass snake and adder) receive partial protection under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). It is an offence to intentionally kill, injure, sell, or to advertise for sale, any of these species without an appropriate licence.
2.7 Nesting birds are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). It is an offence to intentionally remove, damage or destroy nests while they are in use or being built. Birds which are listed in Schedule 1 of the Act are protected by special penalties at all times.
2.8 Further enforcement has been provided by The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.
2.9 The Natural Environment & Rural Communities Act, 2006 (NERC Act) introduced a duty for all public authorities in England and Wales to have regard to the conservation of biodiversity in exercising their functions. Section 41 of the act requires The Secretary of State must, as respects England, publish a list of the living organisms and types of habitat which in the Secretary of State’s opinion are of principal importance for the purpose of conserving biodiversity.
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3 Survey methodology
Desk study
3.1 A data search was requested from the Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre for the site and land within a 1km radius from the site boundary.
3.2 Aerial photographs and 1:10,000 Ordnance Survey maps were used to locate ponds within 500m of the site.
Field surveys
Phase 1 habitat survey
3.3 The extended phase 1 habitat survey was carried out on 9th March 2011 and followed the methodology in Handbook for Phase 1 Habitat Survey (Joint Nature Conservation Committee, 2003) and Guidelines for Baseline Ecological Assessment (Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment, 1995).
Badger survey
3.4 The badger survey followed methodology given in Surveying Badgers (Harris et al, 1989). The survey focused on recording the following field signs: setts, latrines, feeding signs and tracks. Survey dates were 19th January 2011 and 17th March 2011.
Reptile survey
3.5 The site was surveyed for reptiles using both artificial refuges and walkover observational methods following guidelines set out by the JNCC (2003). Reptile refuges were positioned around the site on 13th August 2011. A total of forty eight artificial refuges were placed across the site in suitable locations. Refuge surveys were carried out on 27th, 30th and 31st August 2011, and 1st, 5th, 7th, 16th September 2011.
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4 Results of data search
4.1 Results of the data search can be seen in appendix A.
Statutory Nature Conservation Sites
4.2 Port Meadow with Wolvercote Common and Green Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is located 75m to the northwest of the site boundary. This is part of the Oxford Meadows Special Area of Conservation (SAC). A total of 178 flowering plant species have been recorded at Port Meadow including the internationally rare plant, creeping marshwort Apium repens.
Non-Statutory Nature Conservation Sites
4.3 Ten non-statutory nature conservation sites are located within a 1km radius of the site boundary, including the following:
• Cripley Island Allotment Site of Local Importance to Nature Conservation (SLINC) is a 0.86 ha area of wet secondary woodland located 100m to the southwest of the site on a small island adjacent to Fiddler’s Island SLINC.
• Oxford Canal Site of Local Importance to Nature Conservation measures 3.5 km in length and runs along the eastern boundary of the site within 125m. The canal supports a variety of flora and fauna associated with the water and well vegetated, often wooded banks. The site forms a corridor from the wider environment into the city.
• Fiddler’s Island Site of Local Importance to Nature Conservation is a 2.5 ha area of secondary woodland located 160m to the west with a centre becoming very wet and dominated by great willowherb and nettles. Additional typical marginal and aquatic species are present in and along the river.
• Bulstake Stream Site of Local Importance to Nature Conservation is located 410m to the southwest of the site boundary. No site description / citation is available for the site.
• Medley Manor Wood Site of Local Importance to Nature Conservation is located 560m to the west of the site boundary. Medley Manor Wood is an interesting small ash, oak and sycamore woodland with a number of ancient
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woodland indicator species in the southern section and a deeply shaded reservoir in the north. The wood is an important fragment of ancient woodland, and of high wildlife significance in the City of Oxford.
• Binsey Green Local Wildlife Site (LWS) is a 3 ha area of semi-improved grassland on the Thames floodplain located within 735m of the site boundary. The grassland holds a substantial population of the very rare and internationally listed creeping marshwort.
• Trap Grounds Reedbed Local Wildlife Site is a 1.4 ha area of rare reedbed habitat located 780m to the north of the site boundary. The reedbed supports a good range of birds including water rail and sedge and reed warblers.
• Trap Grounds Reedbed and Scrubland Site of Local Importance to Nature Conservation is a 7.5 ha site located 780m to the north of the site boundary. The piece of land between the canal and railway is partly reedbed and partly raised land. The grassland has Oxford’s only confirmed breeding colony of common lizard and the site supports a number of UKBAP Priority species including water vole, pipistrelle bats, turtle dove, spotted flycatcher and reed bunting.
• Line Ditch Local Wildlife Site is a drainage ditch approximately 1 km long located 790m to the north of the site boundary. The ditch is deep and well vegetated and supports a thriving population of 12-15 pairs of reed warblers, with additional breeding birds including reed bunting, sedge warbler and whitethroat. Water rail and snipe overwinter at the site.
• University Parks Local Wildlife Site is a 22.6 ha site located 910m to the east of the site boundary. The site is an area of historic parkland located next to the River Cherwell which is a good area for birds within an urban setting including all three species of woodpecker. A number of Nationally Scarce insects have been recorded at the site.
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Protected Species
Badgers
4.4 The Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre currently holds five badger records within 1km of the site boundary. The Oxfordshire Badger Group has 15 records of setts and 26 casualty records within 1km of the site.
Bats
4.5 The Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre currently holds twelve records for five different bat species within 1km of the centre of the site including Leisler’s, soprano pipistrelle, common pipistrelle, Daubenton’s and brown long-eared bats. Common and soprano pipistrelle bats have been recorded at the Trap Grounds Reed bed and Scrubland SLINC. An additional seven pipistrelle bats have been recorded between 1986 and 2001 with the majority of records being for injured bats. A roost of 90 pipistrelle bats recorded in 1986 is located 965m to the east of the site boundary. A single injured Liesler’s bat was recorded 210m to the east of the site in 1995 and single records for brown long-eared and Daubenton’s bats have been recorded more than 500m from the site boundary.
Otter
4.6 The Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre currently holds fifteen records for otter within a 1km radius of the site boundary. The records are recent being between 2009 and 2011 with the majority recorded in 2011. The Castle Mill site will does not support suitable habitat to support otters.
Water vole
4.7 The Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre currently holds fourteen records for water voles within a 1km radius of the site boundary. The records exist for the Trap Grounds Reedbed and Scrubland SLINC, Bulstake Stream SLINC and Oxford Canal SLINC. The Castle Mill site will does not support suitable habitat to support water voles.
Hedgehog
4.8 The Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre currently holds four records for hedgehog within a 1km radius of the site boundary. The majority of records are
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located more than 500m from the site boundary. A single record is located 465m to the east of the site beyond the Oxford Canal.
Reptiles
4.9 The Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre currently holds ten records for reptiles within a 1km radius of the site boundary including grass snake, slowworm and common lizard. All records originate from Trap Grounds Reedbed and Scrubland SLINC located 780m to the north of the site boundary.
Amphibians
4.10 The Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre does not currently hold any records for great crested newt within a 1km radius of the site boundary. Records exist for common toad and common frog.
Birds
4.11 The Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre currently holds records for seventy one notable species of bird within 1km of the site boundary. The majority of records originate from the surrounding SLINC’s and LWS’s within 1km of the site boundary.
Invertebrates
4.12 The Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre currently holds records for nineteen notable species of invertebrates within 1km of the site. The majority of records originated from Port Meadow with Wolvercote Common and Green SSSI and Trap Grounds Reedbed and Scrubland SLINC.
Plants
4.13 The Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre currently holds records for five protected, Biodiversity Action Plan or Scarce species of plant within 1km of the site boundary. None of these plant species were recorded on site.
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5 Results of phase 1 survey
Local context
5.1 The site is located at the end of Roger Dudman Way c.500m to the north of Oxford Railway Station. It lies north of the existing Castle Mill student accommodation between the allotments and railway. The allotments lie to the west and the Fiddler’s Island Stream c.125m to the southwest of the site. Immediately to the north is a watercourse with a bridge to the public car park and access road at the southern end of Port Meadow with Wolvercote Common and Green SSSI (which is part of the Oxford Meadows SAC). The site is at grid reference: SP 50265 07107.
Habitats
5.2 The site is dominated by semi-improved neutral grassland with small areas of scrub and tall ruderal. The following habitat types are represented on site.
• Semi-improved neutral grassland
• Dense scrub
• Scattered scrub
• Tall ruderal
• Scattered tall ruderal
• Tree-line
• Hard-standing
5.3 No phase 1 target notes have been provided in this report. All information about the habitats present on site is included below.
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SI SI SI SI SI
Key SI Semi-improved neutral grassland Dense scrub
Scattered scrub Tall ruderal Scattered tall ruderal Tree-line Hard-standing
Site boundary Figure 3: Phase 1 habitat map
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Semi-improved neutral grassland
5.4 The ground level is raised by c.1m from the level of the original railway sidings as a result of the spreading of spoil from the existing Castle Mill development to the south. Semi-improved neutral grassland has developed that is very occasionally mown with arisings left in situ. The sward currently supports locally abundant false oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius, red fescue Festuca rubra and ribwort plantain Plantago lanceolata alongside frequent Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus, white clover Trifolium repens, cock’s-foot Dactylis glomerata and common couch Elytrigia repens. Additional less frequent species including ox-eye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare, red clover Trifolium pratense, creeping cinquefoil Potentilla reptans and vervain Verbena officinalis.
5.5 Tall ruderal species are beginning to encroach along the western boundary of the site including locally abundant mugwort Artemisia vulgaris alongside locally frequent common nettle Urtica dioica, hogweed Heracleum sphondylium and common comfrey Symphytum officinale.
5.6 Mammal trails are frequent and a badger sett is present along the western boundary.
Scrub
5.7 Small patches of recently planted dense scrub are present on site supporting frequent willow Salix sp and hawthorn Crataegus monogyna. Occasional scattered butterfly bush buddleia davidii are present along the eastern boundary alongside the railway.
Tall ruderal
5.8 A linear section of tall ruderal habitat runs partway along the western boundary of the site. Mugwort is abundant with frequent broadleaved dock Rumex obtusifolius and occasional Canadian goldenrod Solidago Canadensis, creeping thistle Cirsium
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arvense, common nettle, curled dock Rumex crispus and white deadnettle Lamium album.
Tree-line
5.9 A 15m line including nine mid-aged aspen Populus tremula trees runs partway along the north-western boundary of the site. The trees are in good condition with no obvious bat roosting habitat recorded. Suckering is prolific in close proximity to the trees.
Hard-standing
5.10 A tarmac footpath / cycle track runs through the site with the majority of the route running adjacent to the eastern boundary.
Species
Badger
5.11 An annex sett with 6 active entrances (on 19 January 2011) which had reduced to 4 entrances (on 17 March 2011 as two entrances had collapsed) was present on site within 2.5m of the allotment fence along the western boundary. An additional badger hole was located to the north of the annex sett also within 2.5m of the allotment fence along the western boundary. The setts on the site were not active in early July and anecdotal evidence suggests that the sett is seasonally active.
5.12 The development means that the badger setts cannot be accommodated within the site in these locations due to the narrowness of the site.
5.13 Badgers forage in the site and on surrounding land. Badger setts are also located off site within 100m of the southern boundary and 80m of the northern boundary. Badger trails run through the site (particularly along the western boundary with the allotments) and lead to these setts located outside of the site.
5.14 As the site has an existing planning permission, a Natural England badger licence was obtained to allow the closure of the existing badger setts in the site along with the creation of an artificial badger sett to the north of the site. A 2m wide badger run
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will be retained along the western boundary of the site to allow movement of badgers through the site. Badgers have shown signs of use of the new sett.
Bats
5.15 No suitable bat roosting habitat has been recorded on site. Bats will use the site for foraging and commuting.
Reptiles
5.16 Suitable reptile habitat exists on land including semi-improved neutral grassland, tall ruderal and scrub edges. Suitable reptile habitat also exists along the railway line, within the allotments and in vegetation alongside the watercourse to the north.
5.17 A reptile survey carried out in 2011 confirmed the presence of a small population of slow worms at the site along the western boundary. See results in table below. It is likely that slow worms occur within the allotments and adjoining land. It is also likely that grass snake and common lizard occur in the vicinity of the site and may occasionally use the site. The mowing of the grassland and tall herb areas on the site reduces their value as habitat for reptiles.
Reptile survey results
Rain Cloud Reptiles recorded Date Time Temp Wind Cover % (locations on figure 4)
27/08/11 10:30-11:00 16oC Light air None 75% None
None 2 Juvenile slow worms 30/08/11 10:06-10:30 16oC Light breeze 25% (B & C)
None 1 Juvenile slow worms 31/08/11 09:00-09:30 15oC None 100% (A)
01/09/11 10:00-10:30 18oC None None 20% None
Light breeze- None 05/09/11 10:00-10:30 18oC 30% None gentle breeze
Light air-light None 07/09/11 09:30-10:00 18oC 0% 1 adult slow worm (A) breeze
16/9/11 9:35-10:35 19 oC Light breeze None 50% None
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A B C
Figure 4: Location of recorded reptiles
Great crested newt
5.18 No ponds have been recorded on site or within a 500m radius of the site boundary. Therefore great crested newts are unlikely to be affected by the proposals.
Nesting birds
5.19 Habitats on site that have potential to support nesting birds include scrub and tree- lines.
Invertebrates
5.20 Habitats present on site that will be affected by the proposals are common and widespread and have very low potential to support rare or notable invertebrates. No additional invertebrate surveys are considered necessary.
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6 Conclusions
6.1 An ecological data search, extended phase 1 habitat survey, badger survey and reptile survey have been carried out to identify ecological resources and impacts at Castle Mill, Roger Dudman Way, Botley Oxford.
Nature conservation sites
6.2 The site lies within 100m of the Oxford Meadows SAC. Regulation 61 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 requires an appropriate assessment to be undertaken in respect of any plan or project which is likely to have a significant effect on a European site (either alone or in combination with other plans or projects).
6.3 Figure 1 of the Circular 06/05: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation - Statutory Obligations and Their Impact Within The Planning System is shown below. This outlines the approach for assessing development proposals affecting internationally designated nature conservation sites. The first question in figure 1 asks: ‘Is the proposal directly connected with or necessary to site management for nature conservation?’ The answer is no which leads on to the second question. The second question asks: ‘Is the proposal likely to have a significant effect on the internationally important interest features of the site, alone or in combination with other plans and projects?’
6.4 The proposed development will not have a significant effect on the Oxford Meadows SAC alone or in combination with other plans and projects and an appropriate assessment is therefore not necessary.
Habitats
6.5 The site is dominated by semi-improved neutral grassland that has developed from spoil spread over the site from the recent development to the south. Additional habitats on site include small areas of scrub, tall ruderal and a short tree-line. The habitat types present on site are of low ecological value. Habitat enhancements are listed in Recommendations for protection and enhancement of site’s ecology in respect to the achieve of BREEAM LE5 credits below.
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Species
Badger
6.6 The loss of the setts on site have been mitigated through the creation of a artificial badger sett has been created to the north of the site. A badger run will be retained along the western boundary to allow badger movement through the site.
Reptiles
6.7 Prior to works, the site outside the new badger sett area will maintained as close- mown grassland to minimise the suitability of the site for reptiles. The artificial badger sett area will be left to develop to rough grassland. Two reptile hibernation/refuge sites will be created within this area.
Bats
6.8 As an enhancement for bats, two bat boxes (such as Schwegler 1FR or similar) will be recessed into the apex of the exterior western gable walls of blocks 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 (making a total of twelve boxes) facing onto green space (allotments) and away from exterior lighting.
Nesting birds
6.9 Habitats on site that have potential to support nesting birds include the tree-line and scrub. Bird boxes will be incorporated into the new buildings.
6.10 Nesting birds and their nests are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). Disturbance to nesting birds can usually be avoided by carrying out works and by excluding birds from suitable nest sites outside the bird nesting season (the nesting season is generally March to August inclusive). However, birds may nest outside the peak nesting period, in which case, works that would result in nest disturbance must cease until birds have finished nesting.
General ecological enhancements
6.11 General habitat and species enhancements are listed in Recommendations for protection and enhancement of site’s ecology in respect to the achieve of BREEAM LE5 credits below.
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7 BREEAM Multi-residential 2008 credits
Issue ID Description No. of credits available Mandatory elements
LE3 Ecological Value of 1 No Site and Protection of Ecological Features
LE3 - Land of Low Ecological Value – Technical Checklist A4
Section 1: Ecological features of the site
7.1 Table 1 establishes whether there are features that are of ecological importance on the site.
Table 1: Ecological features of the site Yes No
Does the site contain any trees or hedges over 1m high √ or with a trunk diameter greater than 100mm?
Are there any ponds, streams or rivers on or running √ through the site?
Is there any marsh or other wetland present on the site? √
Are there any meadows or species-rich grassland √ present on the site?
Is there any heath land consisting of heather and/or √ scrub present on the site?
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Section 2: Type of land to be used for the new building
7.2 Table 2 establishes whether the existing land is of low ecological value.
Table 2: Type of land to be used for the new building Yes No
1 Does the development site consist of land which is entirely within the floor plan(s) of existing building(s) or building(s) demolished within the past 2 years? √
2 Does the site consist of land which is entirely covered by other constructions such as sporting hard surfaces, car parking or such constructions which have been demolished in the past two years? √
3 Does the site consist of land which is contaminated by industrial or other waste to the extent that it would need decontamination before building? √
4 Does the site consist of land which is a mixture of either existing building, hard surfaces and/or contaminated land? √
5 Does 80% of the land within the development site comply with statements 1, 2 or 3 and the remaining 20% of the buildings ground area extend into land which had been either used for √ single-crop arable farming for at least five years, OR consists of regularly cut lawns and sports fields.
Credits scored
7.3 The site contains trees over 1m high, with tree trunks having a diameter greater than 100 mm. Therefore no credits can be awarded under LE3.
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Issue ID Description No. of credits available Mandatory elements
LE4 Mitigating ecological 2 Yes impact
7.4 Table 3 below is used to calculate the ecological diversity index.
Table 3: Change in Ecological Value
Landscape Type: Derelict Species per Land types Calculated Land types Calculated Land < 10 Years ha (source BEFORE ecological AFTER ecological DEFRA) construction diversity index construction diversity index Plot type: (m2) BEFORE (m2) AFTER Fertile grassland 4.6 8900 4.02 0 0 Infertile grassland 13 0 0 2158 2.75 (number of species in
Emorsgate flowering lawn EL1 mix) Tall grassland/herb 6.3 98 0.06 0 0 Lowland wooded 5 100 0.05 100 0.05 Buildings / hard standing 0 1094 0 7934 0 Garden planting 0 0 0 100 0 TOTAL LAND AREA 10192 4.13 10192 2.8 (m2):
7.5 Credits are awarded under LE4 as follows:
Table 4: LE4 Credits
The ecological value before and after development is No. credits measured, and the overall change in species per awarded hectare is:
Minor negative change between -9 and -3 1
Neutral: between -3 and +3 2
Minor enhancement: between +3 ad +9 3
Major enhancement: greater than +9 4
7.6 Using the above tables, the change in ecological value is -1.32. Therefore 2 credits can be awarded for LE4.
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Issue ID Description No. of credits available Mandatory elements
LE5 Enhancing site ecology 3 No
7.7 Confluence has appointed Iain Corbyn MA (Oxon), MSc, MIEEM, CEnv to advise and report on enhancing and protecting the ecological value and will implement his recommendations for general enhancement and protection for site ecology. Iain Corbyn MA MSc MIEEM CEnv is a full member of the IEEM with over 23 years experience of working in nature conservation, much of which was as Conservation Manager at the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust. He is also a Chartered Environmentalist.
7.8 The recommendations below will be followed.
7.9 As there will not be an increase in plant species, only one of the three credits is possible under LE5.
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Recommendations for protection and enhancement of site’s ecology
Recommendation Details Recommendation 1 A new artificial badger sett has been created to the north of the site. A 2m wide badger run will be retained along the western boundary to allow badger movement through the site.
Recommendation 2 Maintain development site as close-mown grassland to make the land unsuitable for reptiles to prevent harm.
Recommendation 3 The area surrounding the badger sett will be allowed to develop rough grassland to provide suitable reptile habitat.
Recommendation 4 A hedgerow of thorny shrubs including hawthorn, blackthorn Prunus spinosa and dog rose Rosa canina will be planted around the badger sett area.
Recommendation 5 Two reptile hibernation/refuge sites will be created within this area, using logs from felled trees.
Recommendation 6 Lighting will be directed away from the badger run and badger sett area.
Recommendation 7 Planted trees and shrubs in the rest of the site will include a minimum of 50% native species that are representative of the geographical location and will be sourced from stock of local provenance (see Appendix B for a list of suitable species).
Recommendation 8 To enhance the site for nesting birds six Schwegler No. 17 Triple Cavity Swift boxes will be recessed into the top of northern exterior walls below the eaves of blocks 6, 7 and 8.
Recommendation 9 Nesting birds and their nests are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). Disturbance to nesting birds can usually be avoided by carrying out works and by excluding birds from suitable nest sites outside the bird nesting season (the nesting season is generally March to August inclusive). However, birds may nest outside the peak nesting period, in which case, works that would result in nest disturbance must cease until birds have finished nesting.
Recommendation 10 Lawns will be created using nutrient poor soils and sown with Emmorsgate EL1 – Flowering lawn mixture. No perennial ryegrass Lolium perenne will be sown.
Recommendation 11 The adoption of horticultural good practice (e.g. no or low use of residual pesticides).
Recommendation 12 The proper integration, design and maintenance of Sustainable Urban Drainage (SUDS).
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Issue ID Description No. of credits available Mandatory elements
LE6 Long term impact on 2 No biodiversity
7.10 The following demonstrates compliance: One credit can be awarded where there is a commitment to achieve the mandatory criteria and at least two of the additional criteria (listed below). Two credits can be awarded where there is a commitment to achieve the mandatory criteria and at least four of the additional criteria (listed below).
7.11 All of the following mandatory criteria must be achieved to achieve a credit under LE6.
Mandatory criteria Details Achieved? 1 A suitably qualified ecologist (SQE) has Yes been appointed prior to commencement of activities on site. 2 The suitably qualified ecologist To be confirmed post confirms that all relevant UK and EU construction. All relevant UK legislation relating to protection and and EU legislation relating to enhancement of ecology has been protection and enhancement complied with during the design and of ecology has been construction process. complied with during the design process. 3 A landscape and habitat management This has still to be plan, appropriate to the site, is completed. produced covering at least the first five years after project completion. This is to be handed over to the building occupants and includes: a. Management of any protected features on site b. Management of any new, existing or enhanced habitats c. A reference to the current or future site level or local Biodiversity Action Plan.
7.12 At least two of the additional criteria must be achieved to obtain one credit and at least four of the additional criteria to achieve 2 credits under LE6.
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Additional Details Achieved? criteria
1 The contractor nominates a ‘Biodiversity To be nominated by Champion’ with the authority to influence site contractor. activities and ensure that detrimental impacts on site biodiversity are minimised in line with the recommendations of a suitably qualified ecologist. 2 The contractor trains the site workforce on how To be co-ordinated by to protect site ecology during the project. contractor. Specific training should be carried out for the entire site workforce to ensure they are aware of how to avoid damaging site ecology. Training should be based on the findings and recommendations for protection of ecological features highlighted within a report prepared by a suitably qualified ecologist. 3 The contractor records actions taken to protect To be undertaken by biodiversity and monitor their effectiveness contractor. throughout key stages of construction. The requirement commits the contractor to make such records available where publicly requested. 4 Where a new ecologically valuable habitat, Species-rich grassland will appropriate to the local area, is created. This be created in new lawns includes habitat that supports nationally, through the use of regionally or locally important biodiversity, appropriate low fertility soils and/or which is nationally, regionally or locally and wildflower/grass mix important itself; including any habitat listed in suitable for regularly mown the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP), Local grassland. Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP), those protected within statutory sites (e.g. SSSIs), or those within non-statutory sites identified in local plans. 5 Where flora and/or fauna habitats exist on site, To be undertaken by the contractor programmes site works to contractor. minimise disturbance to wildlife. For example, site preparation, ground works, and landscaping have been, or will be, scheduled at an appropriate time of year to minimise disturbance to wildlife. Timing of works may have a significant impact on, for example, breeding birds, flowering plants, seed germination, amphibians etc. Actions such as phased clearance of vegetation may help to mitigate ecological impacts. This additional requirement will be achieved where a clear plan has been produced detailing how activities will be timed to avoid any impact on site biodiversity in line with the recommendations of a suitably qualified ecologist.
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Castle Mill, Roger Dudman Way, Oxford Ecology Report October 2011
Appendix A: Data Search Results
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Castle Mill, Roger Dudman Way, Oxford Ecology Report October 2011
SSSI and Wildlife Site citations near to the site
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Castle Mill, Roger Dudman Way, Oxford Ecology Report October 2011
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Castle Mill, Roger Dudman Way, Oxford Ecology Report October 2011
Appendix B: Suitable native hedge and tree species
List of suitable hedgerow species
Species Crab apple Malus sylvestris Blackthorn Prunus spinosa Buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica Elder Sambucus nigra Field maple Acer campestre Guelder rose Viburnum opulus Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna Hazel Corylus avellana Holly Ilex aquifolium Honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum Wild privet Ligustrum vulgare Dog rose Rosa canina Dogwood Cornus sanguinea Spindle Euonymus europaeus Whitebeam Sorbus aria Grey willow Salix cinerea
List of suitable tree species
Species Ash Fraxinus excelsior Crack willow Salix fragilis Field maple Acer campestre Pedunculate oak Quercus robur Rowan Sorbus aucuparia Whitebeam Sorbus aria
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