Croft Farm, Tipps End, Norfolk PEA 2021
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PROPOSED BARN CONVERSION AT CROFT BARN, TIPPS END, WELNEY PRELIMINARY ECOLOGICAL APPRAISAL PROPOSED BARN CONVERSION AT CROFT FARM, TIPPS END, NORFOLK PRELIMINARY ECOLOGICAL APPRAISAL FINAL Prepared by: Prepared for: Philip Parker Associate Ltd Angela Wright White Row Cottage Leziate Drove Pott Row KING’S LYNN Norfolk PE32 1DB Report ref: P2021- 27 R1 FINAL Date: 5th May 2021 PHILIP PARKER ASSOCIATES : ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS : REPORT REF P2021 – 27 R1 FINAL 5.5.21 Page 0 PROPOSED BARN CONVERSION AT CROFT BARN, TIPPS END, WELNEY PRELIMINARY ECOLOGICAL APPRAISAL CONTENTS 1.0 Executive summary 2.0 Introduction 3.0 Data search 4.0 Description of the proposed development site 5.0 Fauna survey 6.0 Effects of the proposed development works on the species present and licensing requirements 7.0 Mitigation and enhancement strategy 8.0 References Drawings D1 Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Appendix A Protected Sites DOCUMENT HISTORY Project reference: 2021-27 Document title: Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Revision Status Originated Reviewed Date Rev. 1 Draft Rebecca Easter Philp Parker 28.04.21 Rev. 2 Final Rebecca Easter Philip Parker 05.05.21 Copyright © 2021 by Philip Parker Associates All rights reserved. No part of this report may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of Philip Parker Associates Ltd. PHILIP PARKER ASSOCIATES : ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS : REPORT REF P2021 – 27 R1 FINAL 5.5.21 Page 1 PROPOSED BARN CONVERSION AT CROFT BARN, TIPPS END, WELNEY PRELIMINARY ECOLOGICAL APPRAISAL 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 GENERAL Swann Edwards Architecture have developed a planning application on behalf of Angela Wright in relation to the conversion of two barns at Croft Farm, Tipps End, Norfolk into a single, three- bedroomed dwelling. The local planning Authority (The Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk) have requested that an Ecological Assessment is prepared as part of the application. Philip Parker Associates Ltd have been instructed to undertake this assessment. 1.2 This report presents the results of the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) and has been prepared following guidance prepared by the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) and BS 42020:2013 Biodiversity : Code of practice for planning and development. 1.3 SITE DESCRIPTION The survey site relates to two separate attached barns (with no internal access between the two). For the purpose of this report, they are numbered Barn 1 (to the west) and Barn 2 (to the east). 1.4 The site was located to the west of Wisbech Road and to the north of Tipps End. The site was surrounded by arable farmland to the north, west and south, with a group of dwellings to the east. 1.5 DATA SEARCH A 2km data search was undertaken with the Norfolk Biodiversity Information Service (NBIS) and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Environmental Records Centre. The following designated sites were noted within the search. • No Natura 2000 or SSSI sites were noted within the 2km CPERC or NBIS data search. The Ouse Washes (Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Protection Area (SPA), Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a Ramsar site) is the closest designated site, located 2.6km south-east of the proposed development site. • Soprano pipistrelle, natterer’s and pipistrelle species were the closest records for bats, located 1.7km south-west of the site. • The closest records for barn owls were 1.3km south-west of the site; • Water vole were noted 1.3km south-west of the site; • No reptile or amphibians were noted within 2km of the site. PHILIP PARKER ASSOCIATES : ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS : REPORT REF P2021 – 27 R1 FINAL 5.5.21 Page 2 PROPOSED BARN CONVERSION AT CROFT BARN, TIPPS END, WELNEY PRELIMINARY ECOLOGICAL APPRAISAL 1.6 FAUNA SURVEYS Given the nature of the barns and their surroundings, the potential impact on bats, breeding birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians has been considered. 1.7 Bats A summary of bat evidence/roosting potential is shown on the following table. The gradings are based on Table 4.1 of the 2016 Bat Survey Guidelines. Table 1 Summary of bat evidence and features Barn Roosting potential and evidence Barn 1 Limited roosting potential between the corrugated asbestos sheets and corrugated metal sheets. Three cracks and two cavities allowing access along with access over the wall tops. Single pipistrelle type dropping and light scatter of tortoiseshell butterfly wings. Barn 2 Roosting potential limited to externally between the corrugated asbestos sheets. Two small piles of tortoiseshell and peacock butterfly wings. 1.8 On the basis of the above assessment, both barns had low bat roosting potential. Barn 1 had potential evidence of use as a feeding perch (given the light scatter of tortoiseshell and peacock butterfly wings and their location under a roof beam with limited evidence of spider activity on cobwebs). The soil floor made searching for bat droppings difficult. 1.9 Badger No direct evidence of badgers was noted in the proposed development area, although the surrounding habitat did have the potential to support badgers. 1.10 Hedgehog/ small mammals The close proximity and connectivity to the surrounding habitat and suitable habitat on site (grassy areas and arable farmland) meant that there is a potential for hedgehog/ small mammals to occur on site. 1.11 Water vole/otter The ditch to the south had limited potential for water vole to occur due to due to the areas of mown bank, although the area directly to the south of the proposed site did have greater potential due to the vegetation on the bank providing cover. The ditch also had the potential for otter to occur although no direct evidence was found, it should be noted that the survey did not extend off site. PHILIP PARKER ASSOCIATES : ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS : REPORT REF P2021 – 27 R1 FINAL 5.5.21 Page 3 PROPOSED BARN CONVERSION AT CROFT BARN, TIPPS END, WELNEY PRELIMINARY ECOLOGICAL APPRAISAL 1.12 BreediNg birds BarN 1 Single blackbird nest BarN 2 Single wood pigeon nest Possible house sparrow roosting between the roof and the insulation (south-east corner). 1.13 Wren, goldfinch, skylark and chiffchaff were noted in the vicinity of the site during the survey. 1.14 AmphibiaNs The closest pond was located 350m north-west of the site. A network of drains were noted within the vicinity of the site although these had been affected by run-off from the surrounding arable farmland. 1.15 Reptiles Areas of taller habitat with the potential to support reptiles were to the south and south-east of the site (bordered by a wet ditch to the south and a dry ditch to the east). The majority of the area around the two barns had limited potential to support reptiles (arable farmland and gravel). The lack of connectivity to other potentially suitable reptile habitat areas meant that the presence of common lizard and slow worm is considered unlikely. Due to their transient nature and the presence of drains close by, the presence of grass snake can never be completely discounted. 1.16 DEVELOPMENT/REPAIR PROPOSALS Drawings prepared by Swann Edwards Architecture indicate the conversion of the barns into a three-bedroomed dwelling. 1.17 Impact assessment There are no likely impacts on designated sites due to the distance and the nature of the development. 1.18 The likely impacts on protected species recorded are as follows: • The loss of potential bat roosting sites (not proven) and a potential bat feeding perch site through the conversion of the barns; • Potential Impacts on bat foraging if additional lighting is proposed as part of any future proposals; • The loss of bird nesting habitat through the development of the barns; • Impacts on habitat potentially used by common amphibians, transient grass snakes, hedgehogs and small mammals. PHILIP PARKER ASSOCIATES : ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS : REPORT REF P2021 – 27 R1 FINAL 5.5.21 Page 4 PROPOSED BARN CONVERSION AT CROFT BARN, TIPPS END, WELNEY PRELIMINARY ECOLOGICAL APPRAISAL 1.19 Further surveys Although the barns are considered to have low roosting potential. As Barn 1 has a (potential) feeding perch, prior to any works being undertaken a minimum of two summer activity surveys should be undertaken (between the months of May and August) to determine the level of use by bats during the summer period prior to works being undertaken. The information gained during these surveys would be used to inform appropriate mitigation and any subsequent derogation licensing1. If the surveys confirm a feeding perch or any other roost activity a further survey will be required. 1.20 No further surveys in respect of badgers, small mammals, water vole, otter, reptiles, amphibians or breeding birds are deemed necessary providing precautionary mitigation outlined in Section 7 is followed. 1.21 Appropriate mitigation for the impacts of the proposed development would be as follows: • Consider the addition of bat boxes, mounted onto a pole or on the building; • Limitations on external lighting; • Avoidance of bird nest period and the provision of alternative bird nesting habitat; • Careful clearance of surrounding vegetation to prevent impacts on amphibians, reptiles and small mammals; 1.22 The need for a derogation licence would be determined by the results of the further bat surveys. 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 Swann Edwards Architecture have developed a planning application on behalf of Angela Wright in relation to the conversion of two barns at Croft Farm, Tipps End, Norfolk into a single, three- bedroom dwelling. The local planning Authority (The Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk) have requested that a Ecological Assessment is prepared as part of the application. Philip Parker Associates Ltd have been instructed to undertake this assessment.