Site: Land North and West of Hethersett Work Strategic Ecological Item: Assessment Client: Pigeon Land 2 Ltd and Hethersett Consortium Author: Dr GW Hopkins CEnv MCIEEM Date: 29 October 2018 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 Background 2 Site Context and Status 2 Legislation and Planning Policy 2 2. Methods 3 Desk Study 3 Field Survey 3 Guidance 3 3. Designated Sites 4 Overview 4 Statutory (International and National) Sites 4 Non-Statutory Sites 4 4. Green Infrastructure 6 Overview 6 Green Infrastructure Around Hethersett 6 5. Habitats and Botany 7 Overview 7 Phase 1 Habitats 7 6. Scoping for Species of Conservation Concern 8 Plants 8 Bats 9 Great Crested Newts 9 Birds 10 Reptiles 11 Small Mammals 11 Invertebrates 11 7. Evaluation 12 Strategic Green Infrastructure 12 Habitats of Principal Importance 12 Scoping for Species of Conservation Concern 12 Recommendations for Additional Surveys 13 8. Impacts, Mitigation and Enhancements 13 Impacts 13 Mitigation 13 Enhancements 14 9. Conclusion 16 10. Appendix 1: Photographs 17 11. Appendix 2: Additional Data 18 Summary Hopkins Ecology Ltd was appointed by Pigeon Land 2 Ltd (‘Pigeon’) and the Hethersett Consortium (‘the Landowners’) to prepare a strategic ecological assessment of Land North and West of Hethersett, with a view to identifying constraints and opportunities in the context of the proposed allocation of the Site within the Greater Norwich Local Plan. The Site is on the western and northern fringes of Hethersett and comprises a series of arable fields and associated habitats, with a total area of ~111ha. The entire Site was included within surveys undertaken in 2010 as part of the planning application for 1,196 dwellings and associated uses on land north of Hethersett that was granted outline planning permission in July 2013 (application reference 2011/1804/O). There are two non-statutory County Wildlife Sites (CWSs) of particular relevance to the Site: Beckhithe Meadow CWS within the Site and Braymeadow CWS adjacent to the north-east boundary. Impacts on surface water flows have the potential to impact both CWSs and will be mitigated via an appropriate surface water management train. The Site is considered to be typical of an intensive arable landscape, dominated by arable farmland with hedgerows and small areas of improved and semi-improved grass swards. A key finding from the 2010 surveys was the presence of great crested newts: close to the current west boundary, and within and close to the current east boundary. It is likely that the current distribution is similar, and European Protected Species Mitigation Licensing may be a requirement. It is considered that any impacts can be mitigated via appropriate working methods and scheme design to create suitable areas of green space that are suitable as new habitat. Mature hedgerow trees are frequent and the presence of bat roosts cannot be discounted. Where possible, masterplanning will avoid impacts by creating and retaining green space around these trees. The mitigation of impacts is considered to be feasible. A number of other species of conservation concern are likely or potentially present, many of which will be widespread but declining species, and present as components of larger local populations. Further surveys are recommended to provide a robust baseline for the Site, but it is thought likely that any such species found will be in low numbers and the overall assemblages of species will be small. The main development areas will be on what is currently arable farmland with typically low biodiversity. Ecological mitigation and enhancement will be delivered via appropriate soft landscaping and scheme masterplanning, with other measures such as bird boxes as appropriate. Most species will experience a net gain in habitat area. Within the Greater Norwich green infrastructure strategy, a green infrastructure corridor is proposed as crossing the Site. Appropriate soft landscaping and semi-natural green space design could make a substantial contribution to the delivery of this corridor. In conclusion, it is considered likely that ecological impacts can be successfully mitigated and that the scheme can deliver biodiversity gain via ecological enhancements relevant at both the Site-level and within the strategic context of the green infrastructure network. Page | 1 Land North and West of Hethersett: Ecology Appraisal 1. Introduction BACKGROUND 1.1 Hopkins Ecology Ltd was appointed by Pigeon Land 2 Ltd (‘Pigeon’) and the Hethersett Consortium (‘the Landowners’) to prepare a strategic ecological assessment of the Land North and West of Hethersett with a view to identifying constraints and opportunities in the context of the proposed allocation of the Site within the Greater Norwich Local Plan. Site Context and Status 1.2 The Site forms an arc across the western and northern fringes of Hethersett, with a total area of ~111ha. The entire Site was included within surveys undertaken in 2010 as part of the planning application for 1,196 dwellings and associated uses on land north of Hethersett that was granted outline planning permission in July 2013 (application reference 2011/1804/O) 1. 1.3 The Site is mostly arable farmland with some blocks of other habitat. It is within the South Norfolk and High Suffolk Claylands Natural Character Area2, which is characterised as an agricultural landscape “incised by numerous small-scale wooded river valleys with complex slopes”. 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 (DfCLG, 20183) 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 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 Species of Principal Importance under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 and reinforced by the National Planning Policy Framework. For these species local planning authorities are required to promote the “protection and recovery” via planning and development control. Examples include the widespread reptiles, skylarks and soprano pipistrelle and, brown long- eared 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 2011/1804 | Land North of Hethersett Village Centre Little Melton Road Including Extension to Thickthorn Park & Ride Hethersett | Residential led mixed use development of 1196 dwellings … 2 Natural England (2014) NCA Profile 83: South Norfolk and High Suffolk Claylands. Available from: http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/6106120561098752 3 DCLG (2018) National Planning Policy Framework. Department for Communities and Local Government, London. Page | 2 Land North and West of Hethersett: Ecology Appraisal 2. Methods DESK STUDY 2.1 The desk study comprises a formal data search from the local records centre and review of relevant data and information from other sources (Table 1). Table 1. Overview of desk study data sources. Source Information Norfolk Biodiversity Information Designated sites, species of conservation concern; 5km Service search radius. MAGIC Additional information on statutory sites, habitats of (https://magic.defra.gov.uk/) principal importance and wider countryside information. GNDP and South Norfolk DC policy Information regarding local planning policies including a documents synthesis of related policies. Local planning applications, manual Recent survey data for protected species locally, map-based searching of the South including negative data. In particular, as referred to Norfolk DC website above, extensive reference was made to the Land North of Hethersett scheme and the associated surveys in 2010. Various literature and web-based Information on local projects and initiatives of potential searches relevance as well as some species-level data. Historic maps Norfolk Aerial photographs from 1988 and 1946; OS maps from (http://www.historic- 1880s and earlier. maps.norfolk.gov.uk/) FIELD SURVEY 2.2 A Site walkover was undertaken on 13 March 2018, and habitats are described according to the methods of JNCC (2010)4. Trees were surveyed from ground level for their potential suitability for roosting bats, looking for gaps, cracks and other potential roost features5; searches were also made for signs of badgers. GUIDANCE 2.3 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 2.4 It should be noted that whilst every effort has been made to provide a comprehensive description