Sandford Farm Ecological Appraisal January 2018 20 Soames Place Wokingham Berkshire RG40 5AT Registered in England and Wales Company No: 08152615 Sandford Farm Ecological Appraisal COMMISSIONED BY Colony Architects Ltd. 250 South Oak Way, Green Park, Reading, Berkshire, RG2 6UG Sandford Farm Ecological Appraisal January 2018 Report Ref: DFA18003 Derek Finnie Associates Ltd 20 Soames Place Wokingham Berkshire RG40 5AT [email protected] © Derek Finnie Associates 2018 1 Sandford Farm Ecological Appraisal CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................... 3 1.1 Background ............................................................................................................................... 3 2 METHODOLOGY ......................................................................................................................... 4 2.1 Desk Study ................................................................................................................................ 4 2.2 Habitat survey ........................................................................................................................... 4 2.3 Fauna ........................................................................................................................................ 4 2.4 Reptile Survey ........................................................................................................................... 5 2.5 Survey Constraints .................................................................................................................... 5 3 SITE DESCRIPTION ...................................................................................................................... 6 3.1 Desk Study ................................................................................................................................ 6 3.2 Phase 1 Habitat Survey ............................................................................................................. 7 3.3 Fauna ........................................................................................................................................ 8 4 EVALUATION............................................................................................................................ 10 4.1 Definition of ecological value ................................................................................................. 10 4.2 Evaluation of the ecological resource of the site ................................................................... 11 5 IMPACTS AND MITIGATION ...................................................................................................... 12 5.1 Predicted Impacts ................................................................................................................... 12 5.2 Enhancements ........................................................................................................................ 12 6 SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................... 13 REFERENCES .................................................................................................................................... 14 TABLES Table 1. Summary of Local Wildlife Sites within 2km of the Site. ................................................... 6 FIGURES Figure 1. Phase 1 Habitat Map ...................................................................................................... 15 2 Sandford Farm Ecological Appraisal 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background 1.1.1 Derek Finnie Associates Ltd was commissioned by Colony Architects to undertake an ecological assessment of an area of land off Perimeter Road, Woodley, herein referred to as the ‘Site’. The Site, which covers approximately 0.162ha, currently supports species poor semi-improved grassland with some scattered scrub and the occasional semi-mature tree (Figure 1). 1.1.2 Colony Architects is proposing to submit a planning application to redevelop the Site into a residential development for two dwellings. Therefore, an assessment of the biodiversity resource within the Site is required to inform the planning process, assess the likely impact of the proposed development and identify areas where biodiversity enhancements can be made with the proposal. 1.1.3 The following report presents the findings of an ecological data search as well as the results of an Extended Phase 1 Habitat survey, badger survey and reptile survey undertaken across the site in September 2017. It continues with an evaluation of the ecological resource encountered within the application site and assesses the likely ecological impacts as a result of the proposal. 3 Sandford Farm Ecological Appraisal 2 METHODOLOGY 2.1 Desk Study 2.1.1 Thames Valley Records Centre was contacted for information it may hold on specially protected species, or species of a raised conservation status within a 2km radius of the site. Information on non-statutory sites designated for their conservation value within a 2km of the proposed development site was also sought. 2.1.2 The Government’s Multi- Agency Geographical Information for the Countryside (MAGIC) database was also reviewed for the presence and extent of statutory designated sites within a similar distance, extending to 5km for Natura 2000 sites. 2.1.3 A previous assessment of the Site, undertaken in 2012 by Matthew Smith Consultant Ecologist, was also reviewed. 2.2 Habitat survey 2.2.1 An ‘extended’ Phase 1 Habitat Survey was carried out on 15th September 2017; this followed the methodology presented by the JNCC (2010). The Phase 1 technique aims to classify each habitat into categories based on the assemblage of plant species present, with the dominant plant species for each habitat being noted. In some cases, sub-divisions or modifications of the standard categories can be made where this is useful in providing further detail. 2.2.2 An ‘extended’ form of the basic methodology was employed to determine whether any notable or protected species of fauna utilise the study area, in particular badgers, bats, amphibians, reptiles and birds. In the absence of direct evidence of these species, an assessment was made on the potential for the site to support such species. 2.3 Fauna Badger survey 2.3.1 Potential badger Meles meles habitat had been identified from analysis of aerial photography of the wider area; hence specific searches were conducted for this species. All suitable areas within the site were searched for signs of use or occupancy by badgers during the September 2017 survey. 2.3.2 Surveys aimed to locate and record field sign evidence of badger activity, including paths, push-throughs, foraging signs, latrines, prints and setts. 2.3.3 The following criteria were used when classifying any setts found (after Thornton 1988): Main Setts: These usually have a large number of holes with large spoil heaps and generally look well used. They usually have well defined paths to and from the sett and between sett entrances. Although normally the breeding sett is in continual use all year round, it is possible to find a main sett that has become disused because of excessive disturbance. 4 Sandford Farm Ecological Appraisal Annexe Setts: These are generally close to a main sett, within 50m or so, and are usually connected to the main sett by one or more obvious, well-worn paths. They consist of several holes, but are not necessarily in use all the time, even if the main sett is very active. Subsidiary Setts: Often these have only a few holes, are usually at least 50m from a main sett, and do not have an obvious path connecting them with another sett. They are not continuously active. Outlier Setts: These usually only have one or two holes, often have little spoil outside the hole, have no obvious path connecting them with another sett, and are only used sporadically. 2.4 Reptile Survey 2.4.1 A total of 24 refugia consisting of a mix of heavy duty roofing felt and corrugated bitumen sheets, approximately 0.5m2 were placed on Site. To maximise the efficiency of the survey the refugia were concentrated in areas which appeared to be more likely to support reptiles; principally around the edges of the Site, although care was also taken to ensure those apparently less suitable areas were also sampled. As the Site covers approximately 0.162ha, a total of 24 refugia greatly exceeds a density of 10ha-1 recommended by Froglife (1999). 2.4.2 The refugia generally heat up quicker than the surrounding environment, which makes them attractive to reptiles that need to attain a certain body temperature to hunt effectively. Thus, careful inspection of the refugia results in a more effective way to locate these often-elusive animals. 2.4.3 The refugia were placed on Site on the 14th September 2017 and allowed to ‘bed in’ for a week before the survey proper began. The refugia were then checked on seven subsequent occasions between 21st September and 7th October on suitable days, which are classified as sunny, or partially sunny days, with little or no wind and an air temperature between 8oC and 19oC. 2.4.4 In addition to checking the artificial refugia, other suitable natural basking areas around the site were carefully inspected from a short distance using Leica 10x32 BGA binoculars. This ensured that a thorough coverage of the whole site was achieved. 2.5 Survey Constraints 2.5.1 Access was available to all areas of the site, with