Ecological Assessment of Land at Rempstone, East Leake, Nottinghamshire

Report to:-

Cemex UK Materials Ltd Cemex House Evreux Way Rugby CV21 2DT

May 2012

ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF LAND AT REMPSTONE, EAST LEAKE, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

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CONTENTS

1. SUMMARY…...... 1

2. BACKGROUND…...... 1

3. ASSESSMENT METHODS ………………………………………...……...…….. 2

4. ECOLOGICAL CONTEXT ………..…………………….…...….……..……….. 3

5. HABITATS & PLANTS………………………………………...……..….….....… 4

6. FAUNA…………………………….……………….…………..……….....……… 10

7. CONCLUSIONS………………….……………………….…..….….…...……… 21

8. RECOMMENDATIONS……………………………….……………..…….…… 22

9. REFERENCES………………………………………….……………..…….…… 23

APPENDIX A: PLANT SPECIES RECORDED…………………………...... …..…… 26

APPENDIX B: RESULTS OF HEDGEROW ASSESSMENT…………...... …..…… 28

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Report author Tom Staton BSc MSc. This report has been prepared by Andrews Ecology Ltd (AEcol) with all reasonable skill and diligence, within the terms agreed with the client. No part of the report may be reproduced without prior written approval of AEcol. No liability is accepted in respect of the use of data, conclusions or other material contained in this report for any purposes other than those specific to this report.

Cemex UK Materials Ltd ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT Rempstone ______

ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF LAND AT REMPSTONE, EAST LEAKE, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

1. SUMMARY

1.1.1 Cemex UK Materials Ltd are considering submitting a planning application for the extension of the existing Cemex UK Ltd East Leake Quarry in Nottinghamshire. AEcol - Andrews Ecology Ltd were commissioned by Cemex UK Materials Ltd to assess the ecological importance of the proposed extension area.

1.1.2 The proposed East Leake Quarry extension is approximately 46 ha in size and located on the north-west side of the village of Rempstone. It predominantly holds arable tillage. The site is bounded by narrow field margins holding ruderal vegetation, hedgerows, an area of scrub and a stream (the Sheepwash Brook).

1.1.3 The assessment comprised an extended Phase 1 survey including a list of plant species present, an assessment of hedgerows for their importance under the Hedgerow Regulations 1997, an assessment of ponds in the vicinity of the site for their potential to hold great crested newt Triturus cristatus, an assessment of trees for their potential to hold bat roosts and a search for field signs of water-voles Arvicola amphibius, otters Lutra lutra and badgers Meles meles. Survey was performed in April 2012.

1.1.4 Three Local Wildlife Sites are present within 1 km of the proposed East Leake Quarry extension. No uncommon plant species are present. Most of the hedgerows bounding the site qualify as UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Priority Habitat. Great crested newts are not predicted to occur within the site. Common toads Bufo bufo breed in the locality and may occur within the site in their terrestrial phase. Transient grass snakes Natrix natrix could be present along the Sheepwash Brook. Several bird species of conservation concern may be present, but none are rare. No bat roosts are present within the site, but boundary features will be used by commuting and foraging bats. Otters may occasionally occur along the Sheepwash Brook, although no field signs were found. Brown hares Lepus europaeus are present within the site. No signs of water-voles or badgers were found.

1.1.5 It is recommended that consideration be given to the retention of boundary hedgerows and the Sheepwash Brook within the working scheme to avoid potential impacts on protected species. If these features are to be retained, no further survey is proposed. Restoration could be designed to benefit a number of BAP Priority Habitats and Species.

2. BACKGROUND

2.1.1 Cemex UK Materials Ltd are considering submitting a planning application for the extension of the existing Cemex UK Ltd East Leake Quarry in Nottinghamshire. The proposed extension area, which covers approximately 46 ha, lies to the east of the existing East Leake Quarry, near the village of Rempstone.

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2.1.2 AEcol - Andrews Ecology Ltd were commissioned by Cemex UK Materials Ltd to assess the ecological importance of the proposed extension area.

2.1.3 AEcol - Andrews Ecology Ltd is an independent ecological consultancy with extensive experience of habitat assessment, restoration and management, working with conservation agencies, academic, commercial and industrial clients in the UK and overseas (see www.aecol.co.uk).

2.1.4 This report presents the findings of Phase 1 habitat mapping and the assessments of the habitats present as to their intrinsic value, and the potential for protected fauna to occur.

3 ASSESSMENT METHODS

3.1.1 The wildlife value of the existing habitats within the proposed extension area was evaluated on a national and local basis applying established principles, for example as set out in Nature Conservation in Environmental Assessment (Ramsey 1994), Guidelines for Baseline Ecological Assessment (Institute of Environmental Assessment 1995) and the Guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment in the United Kingdom (EcIA) issued by the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management in 2006.

3.1.2 An extended Phase 1 (JNCC 2003) survey was undertaken on the 4th April 2012 by Tom Staton BSc MSc and Leanne Butt BSc MSc to establish land use, habitats and features of potential importance and to determine the requirement for surveys for protected species. Dominant vegetation types were recorded and plant species were noted. Where plant identification was uncertain, specimens were keyed using Stace (1999) or Poland & Clement (2009) and the distribution and status of plants were assessed against Preston et al. (2002).

3.1.3 Hedgerows were assessed for their importance under the Hedgerow Regulations 1997. The survey included an assessment of ponds to the north-west of the site for their potential to support great crested newts Triturus cristatus, an assessment of all trees within and bounding the site for their potential to support roosting bats, and a search for signs of water voles Arvicola amphibius, otters Lutra lutra and badgers Meles meles.

3.1.4 Whilst it is accepted that the early timing of the survey will have meant that some plant species were not apparent, it is considered that sufficient flora was identified to characterise the habitats present. A full plant list is presented at Appendix A. Further assessment of the site’s probable value for other fauna was made on the basis of habitat structure, age, location and management.

3.1.5 Nottinghamshire Biological & Geological Records Centre (NBGRC) was commissioned to perform a data-search of the proposed extension area and a 1 km radius about its centroid at Ordnance Survey grid reference SK570247. However, as NBGRC search whole km squares, some records may fall just over 1 km from the site. The data-search included records of any protected and notable species and

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designated wildlife sites within the search area. The results of data searches for each species group are included within the opening paragraphs of the relevant section.

4. ECOLOGICAL CONTEXT

4.1.1 The area of survey comprised approximately 46 ha located on the north-west side of the village of Rempstone, approximately 2 km south-east of East Leake, Nottinghamshire, around Ordnance Survey grid reference SK570247. The surrounding landscape holds predominantly intensive agricultural land, with mineral extraction within the existing East Leake Quarry to the west, a large area of parkland to the south-west and areas of residential housing within surrounding villages. Figure 1 shows the location of the site within the wider landscape.

Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright 2012. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey licence number WL1005202. Figure 1. The location and extent of the proposed East Leake Quarry extension area, outlined in red.

4.1.2 The data-search performed by NBGRC did not return any details of statutory wildlife sites within 1 km of the proposed East Leake Quarry extension. However, three non-statutory Local Wildlife Sites (LWS) are present in the locality. LWS are designated by Local Authorities for their local conservation interest. However,

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whilst they may be defined in local plans, they have no statutory protection. NBGRC state that the Nottinghamshire Natural History Site Alert Schedule describes the sites as follows: 1. Stanford Park: “Well-wooded parkland of exceptional zoological interest,” namely badgers, bats, beetles and birds associated with mature trees. 2. Sheepwash Brook Wetlands: “A fishing lake surrounded by valuable marsh and grasslands.” There are also areas of woodland, scrub, hedgerows, bare ground and ruderal vegetation. Grassland comprises damp neutral and marsh grassland. 3. Manor Farm, East Leake Grassland: “A species-rich grassland with a notable flora.”

4.1.3 The location and extent of the three LWS in relation to the proposed East Leake Quarry extension area are shown at Figure 2.

Figure 2. The locations of LWS (in black hatching) in the vicinity of the proposed East Leake Quarry extension (outlined in red). 1: Stanford Park; 2: Sheepwash Brook Wetlands; 3: Manor Farm, East Leake Grassland.

5. HABITATS & PLANTS

5.1 General

5.1.1 The proposed East Leake Quarry extension is accessible via the existing quarry to the west, via gated entrances along the south boundary or via a driveway on the east boundary. A public footpath passes through the site from its south-east corner to the north-west corner.

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5.1.2 No records of protected or notable plant species were returned from NBGRC within the site or a 1 km radius.

5.1.3 The proposed extension is predominantly used for the cultivation of arable crops. Habitats can be broadly divided into five Phase 1 (JNCC 2003) habitat types comprising: J1.1 Arable (45.5 ha) A2 Scrub (0.2 ha) C3.1 Tall ruderal (linear length of approximately 3.55 km) G2 Running water (830 m length along a boundary) J2.1-3 Intact hedge, defunct hedge and hedge with trees (3 .55 km along boundaries)

5.1.4 Descriptions of each habitat type are provided below and a full list of plant species recorded is given at Appendix A. A Phase 1 plan of the site is provided at Figure 3.

Figure 3. The location and extent of Phase 1 habitats at the proposed East Leake Quarry extension

5.1.5 Surrounding habitats comprise improved pasture and an existing operational quarry to the west, arable tillage to the north and east and residential housing and gardens to the south.

5.2 J1.1 Arable

5.2.1 Arable tillage comprises the great majority of the proposed East Leake Quarry extension and is divided into two roughly equal-sized fields. The western field held a winter cereal crop on the day of survey, with a 15 cm height. Very few other plant species were present, limited to occasional creeping buttercup Ranunculus repens, ______

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cut-leaved crane’s-bill Geranium dissectum, cleavers Galium aparine and broadleaved dock Rumex obtusifolius. The eastern field held rape Brassica napus which was beginning to come into flower on the day of survey, with a higher proportion of weed species than the western field, but still very limited. Additional weed species included field pansy Viola arvensis, groundsel Senecio vulgaris, shepherd’s-purse Capsella bursa-pastoris, spear thistle Cirsium vulgare and scentless mayweed Tripleurospermum inodorum.

5.2.2 The western and eastern fields were not separated by any form of boundary.

Photo 1. The western field (left) and eastern field (right).

5.3 A2 Scrub

5.3.1 The north-eastern boundary of the site holds a 15 m wide band of bramble Rubus fruticosus scrub on a 1 m high earth bank. Additional species include grey willow Salix cinerea, annual nettle Urtica urens, hairy bitter-cress Cardamine hirsuta, scentless mayweed and hard rush Juncus inflexus, in addition to tall ruderal species described below.

5.3.2 Scrub of this nature is not a UK BAP Priority Habitat and is common and widespread locally and nationally.

5.4 C3.1 Tall ruderal

5.4.1 Tall ruderal vegetation is present along field margins, most of which are 1 m wide abutting boundary hedgerows. Dominant species comprise cow parsley Anthriscus sylvestris, stinging nettle Urtica dioica and Yorkshire-fog Holcus lanatus. Additional species include red dead-nettle Lamium purpureum, cleavers, hogweed Heracleum sphondylium, broad-leaved dock Rumex obtusifolius, groundsel, dandelion Taraxacum officinale, creeping thistle Cirsium arvense, annual meadow- grass Poa annua and cock’s-foot Dactylis glomerata. The northern half of the western boundary is wider, to 15 m width, holding an identical species composition. ______

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Photo 2. Band of bramble scrub viewed from the north-west.

Photo 3. A wide band of tall ruderal vegetation along the western boundary.

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5.4.2 Although Arable Field Margins are a UK BAP Priority Habitat, such habitat only qualifies if specifically managed to provide benefits for wildlife, i.e. not sprayed with spring/summer insecticides, sown to provide seeds for birds, sown and managed for wild flowers or managed as permanent grass strips. Arable margins at the proposed East Leake Quarry extension are not considered to qualify under the criteria.

5.5 G2 Running water

5.5.1 The Sheepwash Brook runs along the northern boundary of the proposed extension. The brook held approximately 10 cm of slow, westward-flowing water on the day of survey, contained within a 1 m deep by 2 m wide ditch. No aquatic vegetation was noted. Where sections of hedgerow are present, the ditch runs beneath the hedgerow, running through tall ruderal vegetation where the hedgerow is broken up. Perennial rye-grass Lolium perenne and cock’s-foot are abundant on the ditch banks with some great willowherb Epilobium hirsutum.

5.5.2 Although the UK BAP Priority Habitat ‘Rivers’ can include streams, it only applies where the habitat is near-natural, fulfils specific criteria relating to BAP Priority Species or conforms to a particular habitat type (e.g. chalk streams). Ditches are excluded from this Priority Habitat. It is not considered that the Sheepwash Brook qualifies as a UK BAP Priority Habitat.

Photo 4. An open section of the Sheepwash Brook.

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5.6 J2.1-3 Hedgerows

5.6.1 Most of the proposed East Leake Quarry extension is bounded by hedgerows, some of which hold young or mature trees, but no ancient trees. Hedgerows vary in their management, with some well maintained at 1 – 3 m height and others unmaintained. Most are intact; however some sections along the northern and eastern boundaries are defunct with large gaps. Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna is generally the dominant species, with some areas holding blackthorn Prunus spinosa and English elm Ulmus procera. Parts of hedgerows along the eastern boundary are dominated by ornamental shrubs surrounding a residential dwelling. The ground flora of the hedgerows is similar to the tall ruderal vegetation described above, with some hedges holding lord’s-and-ladies Arum maculatum and lesser celandine Ranunculus ficaria.

5.6.2 None of the hedgerows follow earth banks or ditches, with the exception of the Sheepwash Brook along the northern boundary.

5.6.3 Detailed descriptions of each section of hedgerow are described at Appendix B. None are important under the ecological criteria of the Hedgerow Regulations 1997 due to insufficient woody species and/or associated features.

5.6.4 Hedgerows qualify as a UK BAP Priority Habitat where they are at least 20 m long, with any gaps less than 20 m wide, and where native woody species comprise at least 80% of the hedge. Most of the boundary hedgerows surrounding the East Leake Quarry extension area therefore qualify as Priority Habitat, except defunct hedgerows and ornamental hedgerows. The BAP status of each hedgerow section is stated at Appendix B.

Photo 5. The northern boundary hedgerow.

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6. FAUNA

6.1 Invertebrates

6.1.1 No records of protected or notable invertebrate species were returned from NBGRC within the proposed East Leake Quarry extension or a 1 km radius.

6.1.2 As many invertebrates have specific habitat requirements, invertebrate diversity is greatest in long-established habitat which contains a diverse range of native plant species, with a varied vegetative structure, and connectivity to other suitable habitat within the wider landscape. Diverse mosaics of habitats which include bare ground, plant debris, dead wood and species rich swards of varying heights are therefore of greatest interest, with the transitions between different habitats often of particular importance (Kirby 1992).

6.1.3 Tilled farmland is a very common and widespread habitat type and subject to considerable annual disturbance by cultivation and other management activities as well as the application of agrochemicals. Where the diversity and abundance of crop weeds is restricted by herbicide application, the food resources for invertebrates are correspondingly reduced. The simple structure and plant composition of the habitat tends to limit the variety of different species and those which occur are either, to a degree, resistant to agrochemical applications or are highly mobile and recolonise from surrounding land following periodic extinction. As such, the invertebrate fauna of tillage crops can be predicted to comprise a limited assemblage of common and widespread species. Arable field margins within the proposed East Leake Quarry extension are mostly narrow, to 1 m width, offering very limited invertebrate habitat which will be subject to spray drift from agrochemicals.

6.1.4 The value of hedgerows for insects lies partly in the variation of their structural components, and partly in the diversity of plant species they hold (Fry & Lonsdale 1991). Structural complexity encompasses not just the hedge body but also hedgerow trees, verges and ditches. Species such as hawthorn and willows attract a wide variety of insects early in the year (op. cit), but additions to the shrub species diversity increase the value of a hedge to invertebrates in a like-for-like ratio. Hedgerow management is also of great importance with less regularly flailed hedges, of well over a metre thick and over 1.5 m tall, of greatest value (Kirby 1992). Whilst some of the hedgerows within the proposed East Leake Quarry extension are of good size, they are very limited in species diversity, most dominated by hawthorn, and it is probable that all suffer from the negative effect of agricultural spray-drift. As such, it is likely that the associated invertebrate fauna will comprise common and widespread species typical of arable hedgerows.

6.1.5 The Sheepwash Brook will hold additional invertebrate species adapted to flowing water, however its potential for invertebrates is limited by the regular trapezoidal shape of the ditch, with little structural or vegetative diversity. The Brook will take run-off from surrounding agricultural fields and its invertebrate fauna is likely to be limited to mobile species and species with a high tolerance to agrochemicals.

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6.2 Fish

6.2.1 No records of protected or notable fish species were returned from NBGRC within the proposed East Leake Quarry extension or a 1 km radius.

6.2.2 The Sheepwash Brook, which passes along the northern boundary of the site, may hold small fish species. However, no uncommon or important fish species occur in streams of this character.

6.3 Amphibians

6.3.1 Of the seven species of amphibian native to the British Isles, five occur in Nottinghamshire comprising:  Common frog Rana temporaria;  Common toad Bufo bufo;  Great crested newt Triturus cristatus;  Smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris; and  Palmate newt Lissotriton helveticus.

6.3.2 NBGRC did not return any amphibian records from within the proposed extension. However, records for common toad and common frog were returned from within a 1 km radius. All records relate to the Sheepwash Brook Wetlands LWS, which borders the proposed extension to the north-west. The five records include ‘large numbers’ of common toad as well as frog spawn, most recently recorded in 1998.

6.3.3 No standing water is present within the site. However, consideration was given to the possibility that the legally protected great crested newt or the BAP Priority Species common toad might breed in the locality and occur in the survey site during their terrestrial activity, as both species are known to disperse over relatively long distances.

6.3.4 Amphibians of all species native to the UK spend the greater percentage of each year on land within favoured terrestrial habitat, with the majority of individuals only migrating to ponds for a brief period in spring in order to breed. Whilst common frogs and smooth newts are cosmopolitan in the range of aquatic and terrestrial habitats they will occupy, common toads, palmate newts and great crested newts exhibit specific preferences in the size and condition of breeding ponds utilised, and may return to the same pond (perhaps even the one in which they were themselves born) to breed year on year for their entire lives. This behaviour may result in amphibians occurring on land at an appreciable distance from their breeding ponds. This is particularly the case with common toads and great crested newts, which are known to move over relatively long distances.

6.3.5 The terrestrial range of great crested newts and their high level of legal protection has resulted in Natural England recommending that ponds up to 500 m from a proposed development site be checked for potential great crested newt presence if it is thought likely that great crested newt populations centred upon these ponds would be affected by changes to the development site (English Nature 2001).

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6.3.6 There is no standing water anywhere within the proposed extension. It is probable that water levels and flow rate of the Sheepwash Brook is too variable for successful breeding by any amphibian species; however, common frog could potentially breed. Reference to Ordnance Survey maps and satellite imagery of the area noted the presence of five potential water bodies within 500 m. The locations of these waterbodies are shown in Figure 4. Additional water-bodies are present within the operational East Leake Quarry to the west.

6.3.7 Water-bodies within the operational East Leake Quarry are used in mineral processing; as such they have poor water quality and poor terrestrial habitat comprising bare ground in their immediate vicinity. No macrophytes are present and the water-bodies are large and deep. They are therefore considered to be unsuitable for great crested newts.

Figure 4. The location of the five waterbodies (outlined in blue) in relation to the proposed East Leake Quarry extension (outlined in red, with a 500 m radius in yellow).

6.3.8 Ponds 1 and 2 are located within Sheepwash Brook Wetlands LWS. Although landowner access was not arranged, the ponds are visible from a public footpath and were thereby subject to Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) (Oldham et al 2000, ARG UK 2010). The results of the HSI is shown at Table 1.

6.3.9 Pond 1 is of recent construction and is used to provide a back-up water supply for mineral processing within the operational quarry. Information supplied by NBGRC states that Pond 2 is a fishing lake, this is supported by the presence of fishing jetties around the pond perimeters. Three-spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus were noted within the pond in survey data provided by NBGRC and it is probable that the pond is stocked with larger fish species for fishing. Both ponds were given a ‘poor’ HSI score and are therefore unlikely to hold great crested newts.

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Table 1. Results of HSI for Ponds 1 and 2.

POND 1 2 HSI Location 1 1 Pond Area (m²) N/A (>2000 m2) N/A (>2000 m2) Pond Permanence 0.9 0.9 Water Quality 0.01 0.67 Shade 1 0.6 Fowl Presence 0.67 0.67 Fish Presence 1 0.01 Ponds within 1 Km 0.4 0.4 Terrestrial Habitat 0.33 0.33 Macrophyte cover 0.35 0.35 HSI Total 0.40 0.36 HSI Score Poor Poor

6.3.10 Ponds 3, 4 and 5 were not accessible and are much smaller; approximately 200 to 450 m2 in size. Pond 3 is located on the edge of arable tillage fields, with overhanging trees, and can therefore be predicted to have poor water quality and poor terrestrial habitat. Pond 4 appears to be located within a residential garden, as such terrestrial habitat will be subject to regular disturbance and the pond may be stocked with fish. Pond 5 is located along the Sheepwash Brook and can therefore be expected to have some water flow, taking runoff from surrounding arable fields. Ponds 3, 4 and 5 are all separated from the proposed East Leake Quarry extension via busy main roads: the A60 to the east and the A6006 to the south. These can be predicted to act as major dispersal barriers.

6.3.11 It is concluded that all five ponds within 500 m of the proposed extension are of poor suitability, or predicted to be of poor suitability, for great crested newts. The three which were not accessed for HSI are separated by major dispersal barriers. Furthermore, habitats within the proposed extension are of very poor suitability for great crested newts, with suitable habitat limited to boundary hedgerows. Although great crested newts do occasionally occur in arable fields, this occurs where a high density of ponds is present within the fields and no other suitable habitat is present in the immediate vicinity. This is not the case within the proposed East Leake Quarry extension. The presence of great crested newts cannot therefore be reasonably expected.

6.4 Reptiles

6.4.1 Of the six species of reptile native to the British Isles, four occur in Nottinghamshire comprising:  Slow-worm Anguis fragilis;  Common lizard Zootoca vivipara;  Grass snake Natrix natrix; and  Adder Vipera berus.

6.4.2 No records of reptile species were returned from NBGRC within the proposed East Leake Quarry extension or a 1 km radius. ______

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6.4.3 Common lizards require undisturbed ground that is topographically diverse and free from pesticide applications (Beebee & Griffiths 2000). The species favours a moderately humid environment and is typically found in open woods, hedge-banks, heaths, bogs, grassland, and railway embankments (Arnold & Burton 1978). Active hunters, the adults take a variety of invertebrates including centipedes, spiders and small snails, whilst young rely upon aphids and smaller prey (Beebee & Griffiths 2000).

6.4.4 The proposed East Leake Quarry extension lacks sufficient undisturbed ground or topographically diverse landforms and is subject to agrochemical application. Common lizard are not therefore predicted to be present.

6.4.5 Slow-worms favour fairly thick vegetation with sunny areas for basking (Beebee & Griffiths 2000). Linear bramble patches with south-facing edges grading down to rough herbage represent typical edge habitat. In addition, as slow-worms often burrow to take refuge under the substrate, moderately loose soil with piles of stones or rubble are also favoured habitat components. In contrast to other lizard species, their predilection for white-netted slugs and also earth-worms Lumbricus terrestris (Luiselli 1992) may draw the otherwise cryptic slow-worm into urban areas.

6.4.6 Potentially suitable slow-worm habitat is limited to a very small patch of bramble scrub in the north-east corner of the site. However, this area is predicted to be too small and isolated in extent to support a permanent slow-worm population. The narrow field margins and likely impact of spray-drift on invertebrate prey within boundary hedgerows will preclude the presence of slow-worm in these areas.

6.4.7 Adders are active hunters, moving distances of between 50 – 200 m per day in search of prey, principally comprising voles, mice and shrews (Arnold & Burton 1978, Beebee & Griffiths 2000) but also lizards (Appleby 1971, Arnold & Burton 1978), and typically occur in low-lying river meadows for summer feeding, but may also be found in a variety of other undisturbed habitat including moors, heaths and dunes, bogs, open-woods and on field-edges. Adders mate soon after emergence from communal hibernacula in the late March through April period, and whilst the population will then disperse, the females return to the hibernacula from late August onward, to give birth (Beebee & Griffiths 2000). The presence of suitable hibernacula, typically a disused mammal burrow within an earth bank or tumuli located in an area of dry thickly vegetated high ground (Beebee & Griffiths 2000) is essential to the maintenance of the population.

6.4.8 The proposed East Leake Quarry extension lacks suitably undisturbed habitat to support adder, with all field margins narrow and subject to agricultural spray-drift. The species is therefore not predicted to occur.

6.4.9 No waterbodies suitable for breeding amphibians (the favoured prey of grass snake) are present in the site, although common frog and common toad may occasionally occur along the Sheepwash Brook. The proposed East Leake Quarry extension itself is largely unsuitable for grass snake due to the lack of vegetation cover and high disturbance, although the Sheepwash Brook, running along the north boundary, may be occasionally visited by transient individuals.

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6.4.10 In conclusion, the site lacks sufficiently undisturbed habitat and suitable prey resource to support a permanent population of any reptile species. However, transient grass snakes may pass along the Sheepwash Brook where it borders the site to the north.

6.4.11 All native reptile species are protected against intentional killing under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (& as amended) and all are UK BAP Priority Species.

6.5 Birds

6.5.1 NBGRC do not hold records for bird species. However, details of LWS surveys provided by NBGRC included records of hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes, stock-dove Columba oenas, nuthatch Sitta europaea and yellow wagtail Motacilla flava from Stanford Park LWS, and Canada goose Branta canadensis, coot Fulica atra, great crested grebe Podiceps cristatus and moorhen Gallinula chloropus from Sheepwash Brook Wetlands LWS. Hawfinch and yellow wagtail are Red Listed as Birds of Conservation Concern due to recent breeding population declines, whilst stock dove is Amber Listed due to its internally important breeding population in the UK (Eaton et al. 2009).

6.5.2 Hawfinch favour high forest, mature woodland and parkland and will therefore not occur within the proposed East Leake Quarry extension. However, yellow wagtail use arable farmland and stock dove feed on arable stubble in winter, both species could therefore occur.

6.5.3 Consideration was given to the potential of habitats within the site to support other nesting birds and the overall bird assemblage.

6.5.4 The bird species present on an individual farm reflect a complex, interacting set of factors. They include the crops grown, whether and what types of livestock are kept, the management regimes adopted for tilled land or grass, the presence of hedges and how they are managed, and the influence of other factors such as field drainage, availability of ponds or woodland and so on. Because modern farming methods are to a great extent standardised, farmland bird communities usually comprise a small number of very abundant and widespread species, sometimes plus one or more of about 20 less abundant but still widespread species. Other, rarer species occur only occasionally in odd patches of suitable habitat (O’Connor & Shrubb 1986). The following assessment of ornithological interest is based on prediction, taking account of habitat types and their management within the site. It draws on four main sources of information – The Birds of the Western Palearctic: concise edition (Snow & Perrins 1998), Bird Habitats in Britain (Fuller 1982), Farming & Birds (O'Connor & Shrubb 1986) and Hedges (Pollard, Hooper & Moore 1974).

6.5.5 The western half of the proposed East Leake Quarry extension carries a winter cereal crop. Sown in autumn, they are normally too tall in spring to be used by breeding lapwings Vanellus vanellus though skylarks Alauda arvensis use them as they give nesting cover in spring and the birds can do much of their feeding along the tramlines. Normally, sowing follows harvest without a period of winter stubbles, so that the period in which spilled grain and weed seeds are available to species ______

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including finches, stock doves and wildfowl is quite short.

6.5.6 Many of the hedges bounding the site are tall and not regularly trimmed. They provide good nesting cover and feeding habitat and can be predicted to hold wren Troglodytes troglodytes, dunnock Prunella modularis, robin Erithecus rubecula, blackbird Turdus merula and whitethroat Sylvia communis. They may also support breeding song thrush, long-tailed tit Aegithalos caudatus and greenfinch Carduelis chloris. Whilst many trees are present along the hedgerows, few are mature and a search for cavities that could be used by nesting birds or roosting bats proved negative. However, canopy-nesters such as corvids could be present.

6.5.7 Hedgerows in the east of the site abut rape crop which could provide a seed source for linnet Carduelis cannabina and yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella.

6.5.8 A number of the species that are predicted to occur are on the Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern (Eaton et al. 2009) due to severe breeding population decline or severe contraction of breeding range, though most of them remain moderately abundant and widespread. Others are on the Amber List due to moderate decline, rarity or other cause for concern. A number of these species are also Priority Species under the UK BAP. They are listed in Table 2, which also gives the most recent estimate of UK breeding population size in pairs or territories (from Baker et al. 2006). Despite population declines, most species still have large population sizes.

Table 2. Birds of Conservation Concern and UK BAP Priority species potentially present within the proposed East Leake Quarry extension.

B.O.C.C. Breeding SPECIES BAP Priority species status population Stock dove Amber no 309,000 Skylark Red yes 1,785,000 Dunnock Amber yes 2,163,000 Yellow wagtail Red yes 11,500-26,500 Song thrush Red yes 1,144,000 Whitethroat Amber no 945,000 Linnet Red yes 556,000 Yellowhammer Red yes 792,000

6.5.9 Ground-nesting birds could occupy arable tillage throughout the proposed extension. Hedgerows will also support bird nests. Breeding birds and their occupied nests are protected under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (& as amended).

6.6 Bats

6.6.1 Of the 17 species of bat native to the British Isles, 12 are known to occur in Nottinghamshire (South Nottinghamshire Bat Group 2010):  Whiskered bat Myotis mystacinus;  Brandt’s bat Myotis brandtii;  Natterer’s bat Myotis nattereri;  Daubenton’s bat Myotis daubentonii;  Noctule Nyctalus noctula; ______

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 Leisler’s bat Nyctalus leisleri;  Serotine Eptesicus serotinus;  Common pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus;  Soprano pipistrelle Pipistrellus pygmaeus;  Nathusius’ Pipistrelle Pipistrellus nathusii;  Brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus;  Barbastelle Barbastella barbastellus.

6.6.2 The data-search by NBGRC returned no bat records within the proposed East Leake Quarry extension but a total of 27 records representing five species within a 1 km radius. All records relate to the Stanford Park LWS, some 650 m south-west of the proposed East Leake Quarry extension. The records are summarised in Table 3 and mapped at Figure 5, next page.

Table 3. Bat records from within a 1 km radius of the proposed East Leake Quarry extension.

Total Most recent Species Status Location records date Whiskered bat or 4 2004 1 juvenile roosting Stanford Hall whiskered/Brandt’s bat Maternity tree roost & Stanford Hall Daubenton’s bat 2 2000 foraging woodland and lake Building roost & Pipistrelle sp. 2 2004 Stanford Hall lake foraging Noctule 1 2000 Foraging Stanford Hall lake Several roosts in and Brown long-eared bat 8 2008 around Stanford Hall. Stanford Hall Max count 15. Droppings, max count Unidentified bat 10 2009 Stanford Hall around 1000

6.6.3 All species of bats native to the British Isles are protected under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (& as amended) and The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010, which implements the provisions of EC Directive 92/43 (“the Habitats Directive”). It is an offence to:-  intentionally kill, injure or take a bat;  intentionally or recklessly to damage or destroy, or obstruct access to, any structure or place used by a bat for shelter or protection;  disturb a bat when occupying a structure or place which it uses for that purpose. In addition, barbastelle, noctule, soprano pipistrelle and brown long-eared bats are listed as Priority Species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.

6.6.4 All trees within and bounding the site were inspected for any features which could potentially support roosting bats. No such features were found. Several crack willows along the northern boundary held basal rot where stems had snapped, but none had sufficiently sheltered cavities to provide bat roost potential.

6.6.5 Although no built structures lie within the site, four buildings lie within 50 m of the east boundary of the site. Three of these comprise a residential property and associated outbuildings and were not inspected as landowner permission had not ______

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been arranged. However, the buildings appear to be relatively modern with sound brick and tile-work. The fourth is an open-sided derelict barn and was visible from within the site. It is constructed of concrete with a tiled roof on a central apex, with many tiles missing, lined with felt on a timber frame. No roof void is present and the single internal room is entirely open on the north-east side. Whilst individual or low numbers of bats could roost beneath roof tiles, the building is not suitable to support a large colony or maternity roost. Any bats roosting within these buildings would however be likely to commute along boundary hedgerows.

Figure 5. Locations of bat records in relation to the proposed East Leake Quarry extension (outlined in red).

6.6.6 The value of the proposed East Leake Quarry extension for foraging bats is limited to hedgerows and the Sheepwash Brook. The arable fields may occasionally hold foraging noctule, but are very exposed and unlikely to hold a sufficient invertebrate prey resource to support high numbers of bats. Hedgerows are likely to support foraging common and soprano pipistrelle, whilst Daubenton’s bats could commute along the hedgerows en-route to foraging habitat over ponds to the north-west. Brown long-eared bats are unlikely to regularly use the boundary hedgerows as they lack connectivity to woodland; the bats roosting at Stanford Hall to the south are likely to forage in broadleaved woodland within their typical 500 m commuting range (Entwistle et al. 1996).

6.7 Dormice

6.7.1 No records of dormice Muscardinus avellanarius were returned from NBGRC

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within the proposed extension or a 1 km radius.

6.7.2 Dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius are an arboreal species and will therefore not occupy the arable field or its margins. Although dormice can occupy hedgerows, this occurs where hedgerows offer connectivity to larger areas of broadleaved woodland. As the hedgerows bounding the proposed extension are in themselves too small to sustain a permanent population of dormice, and many are fragmented with large gaps, it is concluded that dormice will not occur within the site.

6.8 Water-vole

6.8.1 No records of water-voles Arvicola amphibius were returned from NBGRC within the proposed East Leake Quarry extension or a 1 km radius.

6.8.2 Although some sections of the Sheepwash Brook are open and therefore hold some grasses, these sections are unlikely to be sufficient in extent to support a permanent water-vole population. Most of the Brook is directly beneath large hedgerows and does not support a sufficient foraging resource. No signs of water-vole presence were encountered along the Sheepwash Brook and it is therefore considered that the species is not present.

6.9 Otter

6.9.1 No records of otters Lutra lutra were returned from NBGRC within the proposed extension. However, a single record from the Kings Brook was returned some 1.1 km south of the site, in 2000.

6.9.2 Otters and their places of refuge are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010. They are also a UK BAP Priority Species.

6.9.3 The Sheepwash Brook is unlikely to support a sufficient prey resource to regularly support foraging otter. However, the ponds to the north-west could be regularly used, and the Sheepwash Brook could therefore be used as a commuting route. Although a search for otter presence during the Phase 1 survey proved negative, the occasional presence of otters along the Sheepwash Brook cannot be discounted. However, it can be concluded that no holts are present.

6.10 Badgers For Data Protection

6.10.2 Badgers are protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, which make it an offence to kill, injure or take badgers or to interfere with their setts. ______

6.11 Other mammals

6.11.1 The data-search by NGBRC returned records for one additional mammal species, brown hare Lepus europaeus, which is a UK BAP priority species. A total of 23 records were returned for the species within 1 km, four of which were recorded within the site with an additional record along the northern boundary. A maximum count of eight hares was recorded, most recently in 2005, as shown at Table 4. The remaining records are distributed to the north-west and south-east of the site.

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Table 4. Brown hare records located within and on the boundary of the proposed East Leake Quarry extension.

Location Date Count SK570246 22/06/2004 3 SK570247 05/02/2005 1 SK570247 09/01/2005 2 SK570246 02/04/2005 8 SK570250 03/07/2005 6

6.11.2 A single hare was encountered within the western field, near the northern boundary, on the day of survey. The BAP Priority Species hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus could occupy boundary hedgerows.

6.11.3 The site may be used by fox Vulpes vulpes, grey squirrel Sciurus vulgaris, common rat Rattus norvegicus, wood mouse Apodemus sylvaticus, field vole Microtus agrestis and bank vole Myodes glareolus .

7. CONCLUSIONS

7.1.1 It is concluded that the proposed East Leake Quarry extension:-  Does not have any statutory designated sites within a 1 km radius, although three Local Wildlife Sites are present in the locality;  Holds hedgerows qualifying as Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Habitats along boundaries;  Holds a stream, the Sheepwash Brook, along the northern boundary;  Holds a limited range of common and widespread plant species;  Will not hold an important invertebrate assemblage;  Will not hold uncommon fish species;  Will not hold great crested newts, although the UK BAP Priority Species common toad may be present in their terrestrial phase;  May hold transient grass snake along the Sheepwash Brook;  May hold bird species of Conservation Concern;  Holds no bat roosts, although boundary features may be used by commuting and foraging bats;  Will not hold dormice;  Does not hold water-voles or otters, although the occasional presence of otters along the Sheepwash Brook is possible;  Does not hold badger setts;  Holds the UK BAP Priority Species brown hare and possibly also hedgehog.

8. RECOMMENDATIONS

8.1.1 Under the Natural Environment & Rural Communities Act 2006, every public authority must, in exercising its functions, have regard, so far as is consistent with the proper exercise of those functions, to the purpose of conserving biodiversity and

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to consider the implication of its decisions in respect of UK BAP Priority Habitats and Species.

8.1.2 As such, the combination of BAP Priority Habitats and species present within the proposed East Leake Quarry extension should be given consideration from the outset within project design and restoration.

8.1.3 It is recommended that boundary hedgerows, most of which qualify as UK BAP Priority Habitat, are if possible retained under the working scheme. This will also protect bat commuting and foraging routes should they exist.

8.1.4 The Sheepwash Brook Wetlands LWS lies adjacent to the north-west of the proposed extension. It is recommended that measures are taken to ensure that there will be no negative hydrological effects on this LWS.

8.1.5 Habitats present within the site give no reason to suppose any uncommon plant species will occur. It is therefore concluded that the current level of botanical survey is adequate and no further botanical survey is recommended.

8.1.6 There are no grounds to predict an important invertebrate assemblage, therefore invertebrate survey is not proposed.

8.1.7 Great crested newts are not predicted to occur and therefore survey is not recommended. Although common toad are predicted to be present in their terrestrial phase within the proposed extension, the majority of these are likely to occur along boundary hedgerows which provide suitable vegetation cover against predators and retention of hedges would minimise any risk of a negative effect on the species.

8.1.8 It is recommended that the Sheepwash Brook along the northern boundary is retained and protected under the working scheme. This would negate the need for requirements to prevent mortality to grass snake. If habitat along the Sheepwash Brook is to be destroyed, this should be subject to a destructive search by a competent herpetologist prior to any works commencing.

8.1.9 All parts of the proposed East Leake Quarry extension could be used by nesting birds. It is therefore proposed that no habitat clearance works are performed in the period March to August inclusive, unless survey has shown that no bird nests are present. Although several birds of conservation concern and/or BAP priority bird species may be present, none are rare or scarce or require the protection of individual sites. No breeding bird survey is therefore proposed.

8.1.10 No bat roosts are present within the proposed East Leake Quarry extension. If boundary hedgerows are to be retained, no bat survey is proposed. However, if hedgerows are proposed for removal, bat activity survey should be performed to determine the importance of the hedgerows for commuting and/or foraging bats. Measures should be taken to minimise light-spill from the quarry.

8.1.11 Dormice will not be present and no survey is proposed. No signs of water-voles, otters or badgers were encountered and survey thus far is considered adequate. Brown hare are present and have historically been recorded within the site. Their ______

Action Plan does not require the protection of individual sites and, as the species remains common and widespread, no further survey is therefore necessary.

8.1.12 The restoration scheme has the potential to provide a biodiversity gain by providing improved habitat for brown hare, common toad, commuting and foraging bats and farmland bird species. Consideration should therefore be given to the planting of species-rich hedgerows composed of native woody species within the restoration scheme.

9. REFERENCES

Appleby L 1971. British Snakes. John Baker Ltd, London.

ARG UK 2010. Great crested newt habitat suitability index. ARG UK Advice Note 5.

Arnold E & Burton J 1978. A Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Britain and Europe. Collins, London.

Baker H, Stroud D, Aebischer N, Cranswick P, Gregory R, McSorley C, Noble D & Rehfisch M 2006. Population estimates of birds in Great Britain and the UK. British Birds 99:25-44.

Beebee T & Griffiths R 2000. Amphibians and Reptiles. Collins New Naturalist Series, Harper Collins, London.

Eaton M, Brown A, Noble D, Musgrove A, Hearn R, Aebischer N, Gibbons D, Evans A & Gregory R 2009. Birds of Conservation Concern 3: the population status of birds in the UK. British Birds 102:296-341.

English Nature 2001. Great Crested Newt Mitigation Guidelines. English Nature, Peterborough.

Entwistle A, Racey P & Speakman J 1996. Habitat exploitation by a gleaning bat, Plecotus auritus. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B, 351: 921-931.

Fry R & Lonsdale D 1991. Habitat Conservation for Insects – A Neglected Green Issue. The Amateur Entomologist Volume 21, Cravitz Printing Company Ltd, Essex.

Fuller R 1982. Bird Habitats in Britain. Poyser.

Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management 2006. Guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment in the United Kingdom. IEEM.

Institute of Environmental Assessment 1995. Guidelines for Baseline Ecological Assessment.

JNCC 2003. Handbook for Phase 1 habitat survey: A technique for environmental audit. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough. ______

Kirby P 1992. Habitat Management for Invertebrates: a practical handbook. RSPB, Bedfordshire.

Luiselli L 1992. The diet of the slow-worm (Anguis fragilis) Linnaeus 1758, in the Tarvisio Forest (Carnic Alps, NE Italy) (Squamata: Sauria: Anguidae). Herpetozoa B5: 91-94.

O'Connor R & Shrubb M 1986. Farming & Birds. CUP.

Oldham R, Keeble J, Swan M & Jeffcote M 2000. Evaluating the Suitability of Habitat for the Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus). Herpetological Journal 10: 143-155.

Poland J & Clement E 2009. The Vegetative Key to the British Flora. Southampton: Poland.

Pollard E, Hooper M & Moore N 1974. Hedges. Collins New Naturalist.

Preston C, Pearman D & Dines T 2002. New Atlas of the British & Irish Flora. New York: Oxford University Press.

Ramsey D (Ed.) 1994. Nature Conservation in Environmental Assessment. English Nature.

Snow D & Perrins C (eds) 1998. The Birds of the Western Palearctic. Concise Edition. OUP.

South Nottinghamshire Bat Group 2010. Nottinghamshire’s bats. http://www.southnottsbatgroup.org.uk/nottsbats.html [Accessed 26/03/2012].

Stace C 1999. Field Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge: University of Cambridge.

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APPENDIX A. PLANT SPECIES RECORDED WITHIN THE PROPOSED EAST LEAKE QUARRY EXTENSION.

Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore Achillea millefolium Yarrow Aesculus hippocastanum Horse chestnut Anthriscus sylvestris Cow parsley Aphanes arvensis Parsley piert Arum maculatum Lords-and-ladies Bellis perennis Daisy Betula pendula Silver birch Brassica napus Rape Bryonia dioica White bryony Buddleja davidii Buddleia Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd’s-purse Cardamine hirsuta Hairy bitter-cress Cerastium fontanum Common mouse-ear Cirsium arvense Creeping thistle Cirsium palustre Marsh thistle Cirsium vulgare Spear thistle Corylus avellana Hazel Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Cupressocyparis leylandii Leyland cypress Dactylis glomerata Cock’s-foot Epilobium hirsutum Great willowherb Fagus sylvatica Beech Fraxinus excelsior Ash Galium aparine Cleavers Geranium dissectum Cut-leaved cranesbill Geranium molle Dove’s-foot cranesbill Hedera helix Ivy Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed Holcus lanatus Yorkshire-fog Ilex aquifolium Holly Juncus inflexus Hard rush Lamium album White dead-nettle Lamium purpureum Red dead-nettle Lolium perenne Perennial rye-grass Lonicera periclymenum Honeysuckle Narcissus spp Daffodil cultivar Pinus sylvestris Scots pine Poa annua Annual meadow-grass Populus tremula Aspen Prunus avium Wild cherry Prunus laurocerasus Cherry-laurel Prunus spinosa Blackthorn Pteridium aquilinum Bracken Quercus robur Pedunculate oak Ranunculus ficaria Lesser celandine Ranunculus repens Creeping buttercup Rubus fruticosus agg. Bramble Rumex crispus Curled dock Rumex obtusifolius Broad-leaved dock Salix cinerea Grey willow Salix fragilis Crack willow Sambucus nigra Elder Senecio jacobea Ragwort Senecio vulgaris Groundsel Stellaria media Chickweed ______

Symphoricarpus albus Snowberry Taraxacum officinale Dandelion Tripleurospermum inodorum Scentless mayweed Ulmus procera English elm Urtica dioica Stinging nettle Urtica urens Annual nettle Veronica persica Common speedwell Vinca minor Lesser periwinkle Viola arvensis Field pansy

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APPENDIX B. RESULTS OF HEDGEROW ASSESSMENT AT THE PROPOSED EAST LEAKE QUARRY EXTENSION.

Figure B1. Locations of hedgerow sections at the proposed East Leake Quarry extension. ______

Table B1. Results of hedgerow assessment according to criteria in the Hedgerow Regulations 1997.

IMPORTANT UK BAP WOODY WOODLAND UNDER No. FORM SPEC DESCRIPTION FEATURES PRIORITY SPECIES PLANTS HEDGEROW HABITAT REGULATIONS Length 430 m Hawthorn dominant, with blackthorn, elder and <10% gaps W Hedge Height 2 - 4 m bramble. Southern half is well maintained at 2 m 3 0 No Yes Connections Width 2 m height, northern half poorly maintained. Length 200 m <10% gaps Height 5 m Hawthorn dominant, with blackthorn, elder, Standard N1 Hedge 4 0 No Yes bramble and ivy. Aspen trees to 8 m. trees Width 4 m Connections Length 330 m <10% gaps Height 2 m Hawthorn dominant with elder. Pedunculate oak Standard N2 Hedge 4 0 No Yes trees to 8 m, crack willow to 12 m. trees Width 2 m Connections Length 310 m Standard Defunct Blackthorn and hawthorn dominant, with grey Height 4 m trees N3 hedge & willow to 8 m, crack willow to 10 m and ash to 10 5 0 No No Ditch ditch Width 2 m m. Connections Defunct Length 310 m N4 hedge & Height 2 m English elm, hawthorn, elder, bramble. 3 0 Ditch No No ditch Width 1 m Length 200 m Hedge & Hawthorn dominant with English elm, elder and <10% gaps N5 Height 4 m 3 0 No Yes ditch bramble. Ditch Width 2 m Length 80 m E1 Hedge Height 4 m Hawthorn. 1 0 <10% gaps No Yes Width 1 m Length 90 m E2 Hedge Height 1 m Hawthorn dominant with young horse chestnut. 1 0 <10% gaps No Yes Width 1 m E3 Hedge Length 100 m Lord’s-and- Height 1 m English elm and elder with ivy. 2 <10% gaps No Yes ladies. Width 1 m ______

IMPORTANT UK BAP WOODY WOODLAND UNDER No. FORM SPEC DESCRIPTION FEATURES PRIORITY SPECIES PLANTS HEDGEROW HABITAT REGULATIONS Length 90 m E4 Hedge Height 2.5 m Leyland cypress 0 0 <10% gaps No No Width 2 m Length 110 m Buddleia, snowberry, hawthorn, holly, Leyland <10% gaps Height 10 m cypress, cherry laurel. Horse chestnut trees to 6 m, E5 Hedge 4 0 Standard No No grey willow to 10 m, Scots pine to 4 m, wild cherry Width 3 m trees to 10 m. Length 190 m Hawthorn and bramble dominant with hazel, elder Defunct Standard E6 Height N/A and ivy. Pedunculate oak trees to 8 m, horse 5 0 No No hedge trees Width N/A chestnut to 5 m, ash to 10 m. Length 140 m <10% gaps Hawthorn, horse chestnut, elder, bramble, ivy. Ash E7 Hedge Height 2 m 3 0 Standard No Yes trees to 10 m. Width 2 m trees Length 90 m <10% gaps Horse chestnut to 10 m, holly to 10 m, beech to 10 E8 Tree-line Height 5 m 4 0 Standard No Yes m, pedunculate oak to 14 m, over hawthorn and ivy. Width 3 m trees Length 100 m <10% gaps Hawthorn dominant with elder. Cherry trees to 5 m, E9 Hedge Height 2 m 6 0 Standard No Yes beech to 5 m, ash to 10 m and silver birch to 6 m. Width 1 m trees Length 780 m <10% gaps Height 3 m Hawthorn dominant with beech, sycamore, elder Lord’s-and- S Hedge 3 Standard No Yes Width 1 m and ivy. Horse chestnut to 10 m. ladies. trees Width 2 m

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