Fisher's Green
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British Pipeline Agency Fisher’s Green Ecological Constraints Survey Report 856794 JANUARY 2017 RSK GENERAL NOTES Project No.: 856794 Title: Fisher’s Green – Ecological Constraints Survey Report – Rev 00 Client: British Pipeline Agency Date: January 2017 Office: Hemel Hempstead Status: Final Author Lindsay Stronge Technical reviewer Corin Simmonds Signature: Signature: Date: 03/01/2017 Date: 05/01/2017 Project manager Jessica Breeze Quality reviewer Corin Simmonds Signature: Signature: Date: 03/01/2017 Date: 05/01/2017 RSK Environment Ltd (RSK) has prepared this report for the sole use of the client, showing reasonable skill and care, for the Where any data supplied by the client or from other sources have been used, it has been assumed that the information is correct. No responsibility can be accepted by RSK for inaccuracies in the data supplied by any other party. The conclusions and recommendations in this report are based on the assumption that all relevant information has been supplied by those bodies from whom it was requested. No part of this report may be copied or duplicated without the express permission of RSK and the party for whom it was prepared. Where field investigations have been carried out, these have been restricted to a level of detail required to achieve the stated objectives of the work. This work has been undertaken in accordance with the quality management system of RSK Environment Ltd. British Pipeline Agency Fisher’s Green – Ecological Constraints Survey Report 856794 – 1 (00) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. This report presents the details of an ecological constraints survey carried out at Fisher’s Green, Cheshunt in a rural location in Essex. The purpose of the survey was to determine the ecological value of the land, and to assess its potential for protected animal species in an area where a pipeline crossing is being re-routed underground by the British Pipeline Agency (BPA). The survey was carried out on 7 December 2016 by Corin Simmonds, a principal ecologist and Lindsay Stronge, a graduate ecologist. 2. The proposed working areas comprise hard standing, ruderal vegetation, buildings, scrub, scattered trees, semi-improved grassland and arable. There are multiple waterways; Cornmill stream, the River Lea and Hooksmarsh lake in addition to fishery lakes adjacent to the working areas, 3. Habitats in the working areas are likely to contain only common and widespread plant species and no non-native invasive species were recorded. 4. There are six statutory designated sites and four Local Wildlife Sites (LWS) within 2 km. The proposed working areas fall within the impact zone of the Turnford & Cheshunt Pitts Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and therefore Natural England must be contacted to discuss the proposals. 5. No Badger (Meles meles) setts were found within the working area or 30 m from it but there was evidence of foraging badgers. 6. The site contains habitat suitable for foraging Badgers, Otters (Lutra lutra) and Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus). As a precautionary measure we suggest that any excavations made during the course of works are covered overnight. If excavations cannot be covered, a ramp should be left in place to allow any trapped animals to escape. 7. There are three records of Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus) within 1 km and numerous water bodies within 500 m. However, these water bodies are unlikely to be suitable for Great Crested Newt as they are lakes or form part of a commercial fishery. It is therefore highly unlikely that Great Crested Newt will be found on site. 8. There is one building on land between the two rivers that may be suitable for roosting bats. This area was inaccessible; but as the new pipeline route will go underground the building will not be affected. 9. There are lines of trees along the waterways and hedgerows. If any clearance of scrub and trees is necessary it should take place outside of the nesting bird season (March to August inclusive) or the vegetation should be checked by an ecologist no more than three days prior to the works. If any active nests are found these should be left until the young have fledged. 10. The waterways that run between the proposed working areas (the River Lea and Cornmill stream) are known to contain both Otter and Water Vole however at this location the bank sides are canalised using sheet piling, rendering them unsuitable for Water Vole burrows or Otter holts. Planned works involve microtunnelling beneath the river and we therefore conclude that neither species will be affected. British Pipeline Agency Fishers Green – Ecological Constraints Survey Report 856794 – 1 (00) CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Purpose of this Report .............................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Ecological Context .................................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Structure of the Report ............................................................................................................. 1 2 METHODS ........................................................................................................................................ 2 2.1 Background Data Search ......................................................................................................... 2 2.2 Ecological Constraints Survey .................................................................................................. 3 2.3 Constraints ............................................................................................................................... 3 3 RESULTS ......................................................................................................................................... 4 3.1 Background Data Search ......................................................................................................... 4 3.1.1 Biodiversity Action Plans .............................................................................................. 4 3.1.2 Designated Sites .......................................................................................................... 4 3.1.3 Protected and Noteworthy Species .............................................................................. 7 3.2 Habitats .................................................................................................................................... 9 3.2.1 Working Area 1 ............................................................................................................. 9 3.2.2 Working Area 2 ............................................................................................................. 9 3.2.3 Working Area 3 ............................................................................................................. 9 3.3 Protected Species .................................................................................................................. 10 3.3.1 Badgers ...................................................................................................................... 10 3.3.2 Great Crested Newt .................................................................................................... 10 3.3.3 Otter and Water Vole .................................................................................................. 10 3.3.4 Bats ............................................................................................................................ 10 3.3.5 Reptiles ....................................................................................................................... 11 3.3.6 Hazel Dormice ............................................................................................................ 11 3.3.7 Nesting Birds .............................................................................................................. 11 3.3.8 Invertebrates ............................................................................................................... 11 3.3.9 West European Hedgehog ......................................................................................... 11 4 EVALUATION AND CONCLUSIONS ............................................................................................ 12 4.1 Designated Sites .................................................................................................................... 12 4.2 Habitats and Plant Species .................................................................................................... 12 4.2.1 Habitats ...................................................................................................................... 12 4.2.2 Plant Species .............................................................................................................. 13 4.3 Protected Animals .................................................................................................................. 13 4.3.1 Badgers ...................................................................................................................... 13 4.3.2 Great Crested Newt .................................................................................................... 13 4.3.3 Otter and Water Vole .................................................................................................. 13 4.3.4 Bats ...........................................................................................................................