Radnor Arms Homington Road Nunton Wiltshire
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David Leach Ecology Ltd. Environmental Consultants Radnor Arms Homington Road Nunton Wiltshire Ecological Survey. Date: November 2016 Report compiled by D. V. Leach. M.C.I.E.E.M Worth Lulworth Rd Wool Phone: 01929 462179 Dorset Mobile: 07756 855212 BH20 6BU E-mail: [email protected] Copyright David Leach Ecology Ltd. Registered Office: Arrowsmith Court, Station Approach, Broadstone, Dorset, BH18 8AT Contents Page number Executive Summary 2 1.0 Introduction. 3 1.1 Background 3 1.2 Aims of Survey. 3 1.3 Site Description. 3 2.0 Methodology. 4 2.1 Desk Study 4 2.2 Site Survey 4 3.0 Results. 7 3.1 Desk Study 7 3.2 Site Survey 7 4.0 Assessment 9 5.0 Recommendations 9 5.1 Birds 9 5.2 Enhancement 9 5.2.1Bats 10 5.2.2 Birds 10 5.2.3 Soft Landscaping 10 6.0 Limitations 10 Appendices Appendix 1) Legislation 11 Appendix 2) References 12 Appendix 3) Photographs 13 Appendix 4) Site Plan 16 Appendix 5) Survey area 17 Appendix 6) Bat and bird boxes 19 Appendix 7) List of native trees 21 1 Executive summary This survey was commissioned to check the site for protected species and habitats to support a planning application to extend the existing car park. A phase 1 survey was undertaken in October 2016 which found no evidence of protected species or habitats on the site but there is potential for nesting birds at the site perimeters. There were trees at the site perimeters, some of which will be removed. Trees at the north of the plot will remain. The remaining plot was mainly ruderals, short mown grass or bare ground with sub optimal habitat for reptiles. The potential for nesting birds should be considered when removing any scrub or cutting back any trees. No invasive plants were found on the site. The proposed works are unlikely to affect any protected species. Enhancement measures have been recommended and these will be implemented to increase the habitats and species diversity on site. 2 1.0 Introduction. 1.1 Background Client: The Longford Estate Property Surveyed: The Radnor Arms Homington Road, Nunton Wiltshire SP5 4HS Grid reference: SU 15780 26161 Date of Survey: 29th October 2016 Lead Surveyor: David Leach BSc. (Hon), CBiol., M.R.S.B., M.C.I.E.E.M. (Natural England WML CL18 registered bat worker). 1.2 Aims of the Survey. It is proposed to extend the existing car park of the public house. A survey was commissioned to check for protected species or potential for protected species that would be affected by the proposed works and produce a mitigation plan if signs of any protected species were found or recommend further surveys if there was potential for protected species on the site. 1.3 Site Description. The site is located in a rural area on the north side of the main road running through the small village of Nunton, 4km south east of Salisbury. There are a few residential and agricultural buildings close by. The area is predominantly cultivated fields and pastures with the nearest wooded area 475m to the north-east and the main River Ebble 130m to the north. 3 2.0 Methodology 2.1 Desk Study The Magic.gov web site was accessed to determine whether there were any nature reserves or protected areas local to the site that would be affected by the proposed works. Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 scale maps were accessed to identify ponds within 500m of the site with potential to support great crested newts. If signs or potential for protected species was found then a full data search may be undertaken to look for records of protected species in the area around the site. 2.2 Site Survey This consisted of a walkover survey of the application site and land within 50m of the application site boundaries where possible. Any habitats identified as having potentially high botanical value will be subject to further botanical surveys, if deemed necessary. The site was inspected for non-native invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica), Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) and Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera). The survey methodology included an assessment of the potential for habitats on or immediately adjacent to the site to support legally protected or conservation-notable species. The location and nature of any signs of the presence of protected species (such as droppings, footprints, burrows, etc.) were documented and mapped accordingly. Indicative methods for protected species are outlined below following recognized guidelines: Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC), Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) and Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC). Bats. The external and internal areas of any building or structure on site were inspected following guidelines set out in the BCT Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists Good Practice Guidelines 3rd edn. Collins. J (2016) and the JNCC Bat Workers’ Manual (Mitchell-Jones A. J). The presence of bats or signs of bats and possible entry points into buildings was looked for. 4 Extant trees were inspected for potential roosting areas that could support bats. Particular attention was paid to the following: Mature trees with ivy covering and/or crevices and peeling bark Evidence searched for to indicate usage of bats included: Droppings Urine staining Worn entrances or claw marks around potential access points Insect feeding remains Oil staining left from bat fur Live/dead bats Birds. Any habitat features, for example, scrub, trees and hedgerows which could potentially be used by nesting birds, were surveyed and any nesting activity was noted. The habitat was also assessed regarding its potential for bird activity. Reptiles. Habitat features that could be suitable as hibernacula, foraging or basking areas were noted. Extant refugia were lifted and examined for evidence of reptiles, including sloughs (shed skins). Badgers. Any area that could be used for foraging or could potentially contain a Badger sett was surveyed and any signs noted including: Evidence of active or disused setts Evidence of potential badger diggings Latrines / dung pits Evidence of badger foraging (‘snuffle holes’) Footprints Badger hairs Great Crested Newts. Ponds within the vicinity of the site were noted and the potential of the land to act as a commuting route, shelter or foraging resource for great crested newts (Triturus cristatus) was assessed. 5 Otters and Water Voles. Any riparian habitat present on-site or immediately adjacent to the site was searched for signs of otters (Lutra lutra) and water voles (Arvicola amphibious). Signs included: Otter spraints or sign heaps Water vole latrines and feeding stations Evidence of potential holts or burrows Footprints Dormice. The suitability of the habitat was assessed for dormice (Muscardinus avellanarius). Any small mammal feeding signs were checked and assessed, including: Examination of hazel nuts Evidence of nest building The survey was carried out by David Leach an experienced ecological surveyor who is a Natural England WML CL18 registered bat worker, a full member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management and a Chartered Biologist. David Leach is a Registered Consultant under the new Low Impact Bat Class Licence. 6 3.0 Results. 3.1 Desk Study The site is not on or adjacent to any designated site. A biological records search from the local records center has not been carried out at this stage. A search of maps found no ponds within 500m of the site. 3.2 Site Survey Weather for initial survey: Clear and dry at time of survey 10:30 The external temperature was 15.0°C. 3.2.1 The plot of land is an area of grass, rough scrub and trees to the north of the existing car park. Beyond the west boundary is a track leading to a sewage treatment works. To the east is the beer garden of the public house with short mown grass. At the north beyond the trees is a small ditch which eventually runs into the River Ebble. The habitat on site is short grass, bare earth, scrub, ruderals and trees. There is an area near the center of the plot used to burn rubbish and garden waste. There is also a very small pond which is choked with emergent plants. Trees and ruderals noted on the site included conifer trees, ash (Fraxinus excelsior), willow (Salix sp.), elder (Sambucus nigra), hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), common nettle (Urtica dioica), ivy (Hedera helix), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), common sorrel (Rumex acetosa), ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata), creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens), elder (Sambucus nigra), brambles (Rubus fruticosa), contoneaster sp. buddleia sp. alkanet (Pentaglottis sempervirens) and ground elder (Aegopodium podagraria) There were no large buildings or structures on the site. There is a disused greenhouse and a small wooden shed on the plot. At the south of the plot is a large LPG storage tank. No rare or important habitats were found on or adjacent to the site. Invasive non-native plant species. No Japanese Knotweed or Himalayan Balsam was found on the site. 7 Protected Species. Bats. There were no potential roosting features in the structures or trees on site. Trees and scrub around the site provided potential foraging and commuting habitat. Birds Trees and scrub at the perimeters of the site offer some potential nesting habitat for woodland and garden bird species. Reptiles. The majority of the site was heavily shaded, bare ground or dense ruderals and offered limited potential foraging and refuge for widespread reptile species; namely slow-worms (Anguis fragilis) and grass snake (Natrix natrix). The plot is isolated from other areas which has suitable reptile habitat. Badgers No badger setts were found on site.