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31 October 2013 Hoole Gate, Chester Ecological Appraisal Report Report Number: 1700_R05a_JM_AS Client: HIMOR Group Limited Author: Sophie Kirk MCIEEM Checked: John Moorcroft MCIEEM Contents Section 1: Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1 Section 2: Methodology ........................................................................................................................ 2 Section 3: Ecological Resources ........................................................................................................ 5 Section 4: Considerations in respect of Development ................................................................... 14 Section 5: Ecological Design Principles ........................................................................................... 18 Section 6: Summary and Conclusions ............................................................................................. 21 Appendices Appendix 1: Great Crested Newt Survey Appendix 2: Bat Survey Appendix 3: Breeding Bird Survey Appendix 4: Reptile Survey Appendix 5: Badger Survey Appendix 6: Site Photographs Appendix 7: Local Wildlife Site Locations and Records of Protected and Notable Species supplied by rECOrd Appendix 8: National and Local Planning Policy Appendix 9 Illustrative Masterplan Appendix 10 Hoole Gate Chester Site Boundary Plan Plans Habitat Features Plan 1700/P05b JM/JE/LG October 2013 Bat Activity Survey Summary Map 1700/P09a JM/JE/LG October 2013 Breeding Bird Territories 1700/P11a JM/JE/LG October 2013 Reptile Mat Location Map 1700/P10a JM/JE/LG October 2013 Ecology and Landscape Constraints and Opportunities Plan 1700/P17a JB/AL/LG October 2013 This report, all plans, illustrations and other associated material remains the property of Tyler Grange LLP until paid for in full. Copyright and intellectual property rights remain with Tyler Grange LLP. Hoole Gate Ecological Assessment 1700_R05a 31 October 2013 SK_JM_AS Section 1: Introduction 1.1. This report has been prepared by Tyler Grange LLP on behalf of HIMOR Group Limited. It sets out the findings of an ecological appraisal of an area of land (approximately 10 ha) to the north, west and south of the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, Cheshire. The site is centred on national Ordnance Survey Grid Reference SJ 431 680. 1.2. HIMOR has entered into an agreement with the owners of land adjacent to Hoole Hall to promote it through the Cheshire West & Chester (CW&C) development plan and is divided into two phases, Phase 1 (hereafter termed ‘the site’) consisting of 10.3 ha and a further 16.3 ha of adjoining land (termed Phase 2). It is HIMOR’s view that these two land parcels could form a comprehensive urban extension, which HIMOR has called Hoole Gate, to Chester. The land is identified in on the plan Appendix 10. Adjoining landowners have been approached about entering in to the promotion agreement. 1.3. At this stage only land within Phase 1 has been assessed for potential ecological constraints to development. The assessment of potential ecological constraints in connection with Phase 2 would be u ndertaken once agreement with landowners has been r eached on entering into the promotion agreement. 1.4. The site consists primarily of species poor semi-improved grassland, with a network of mature tree- lined hedges. There are small areas of broadleaved woodland to the south and south east, and mixed plantation woodland around the driveway at the front of the hotel. There are eleven water bodies and several ditches. The Double Tree Hilton Hotel complex lies adjacent to the site and consists of Grade II listed Hoole Hall with associated hotel buildings and mature landscaping, which includes a pond and mature trees. 1.5. The purpose of this report is to: • describes the ecological resources and the issues that might arise as a result of allocation of the Site and its future development for housing; • assesses potential consequences in terms of legislation and policy, and where appropriate makes recommendations for mitigation of adverse effects and ecological enhancement; and • assuming site allocation, identifies further work required to inform a future planning application. Hoole Gate Ecological Assessment 1700_R05a 31 October 2013 SK_JM_AS 1 Section 2: Methodology Scope of Assessment 2.1. This report follows the guidance set out in the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) guidance on Ecological Assessment1. 2.2. The extent of potential ecological effects which could arise from development was determined by undertaking a desk based assessment of available records and pub lished sources, together with an initial site survey. With this information, the 'zone of influence' (ZoI) of the proposed development was established, together with potential ecological effects, opportunities and any further detailed work, such as detailed surveys, that might be n ecessary to inform development designs and a future planning application. Desk Study 2.3. A desk based study was undertaken to identify statutory and non-statutory nature conservation designations within 2km, protected species records within 2km, and relevant planning policies. The following sources were used: • Multi-Agency Geographical Information for the Countryside (MAGIC) Website2 was searched for statutory sites; • The Natural England 'Nature on the Map' website3 was searched for records of Local Nature Reserves (LNR) and Countryside sites; • The biodiversity records centre for Cheshire (rECOrd) was contacted for records of protected species and priority taxa included in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) and Local Cheshire Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) from within 2km of the site; and • The Chester District Local Plan (adopted by Chester City Council 2006) and National Planning Policy Framework (2012)4 were reviewed for nature conservation planning policies that could potentially control development proposals. Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 2.4. An 'extended' Phase 1 habitat survey of the site and its immediate environs was undertaken on the on the 20th October, 2012 by Sophie Kirk (Ecologist, Tyler Grange) and Hayley Care (Graduate Ecologist, Tyler Grange). 2.5. The survey broadly followed the 'extended' Phase 1 methodology set out in guidance from the Joint 5 Nature Conservation Committee. This method of survey provides information on habitats and 1 Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (2006). Guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment in the United Kingdom (version 7 July 2006). 2 www.magic.gov.uk 3 http://www.natureonthemap.org.uk 4 National Planning Policy Framework (2012) Department for Communities and Local Government 5 Joint Nature Conservation Committee, (2010), Handbook for Phase 1 habitat survey - a technique for environmental audit Hoole Gate Ecological Assessment 1700_R05a 31 October 2013 SK_JM_AS 2 assesses the potential for legally protected or otherwise notable species to occur in and adjacent to the site and allows the ecological value of resources to be determined. Detailed Surveys 2.6. The extended Phase 1 survey of the site highlighted the potential for protected species to be present on the site. Surveys for protected or notable species were undertaken between March and August 2013 in line with published methodologies. Details of the survey methods and timings (together with results) are provided in the respective Appendices (shown in parentheses) for each species/group, as follows: • Great crested newt (GCN) Triturus cristatus (Appendix 1); • Bats (Appendix 2); • Breeding Birds including Barn Owl (Appendix 3); • Reptiles (Appendix 4); and • Badger Meles meles (Appendix 5). Evaluation 2.7. The ecological resources in this appraisal were evaluated using published guidance produced by CIEEM1. The level of value of specific ecological receptors is assigned using a geographic frame of reference, i.e. international value being most important, then national, regional, county and local within the context of the site itself and lastly, negligible. 2.8. Value judgements are based on various characteristics that can be used to identify ecological resources or features likely to be important in terms of biodiversity. These include site designations such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), or for undesignated features, the size, conservation status (locally, nationally or internationally) and the quality of the ecological resource. In terms of the latter, 'quality' can refer to habitats (for instance if they are particularly diverse, or a good example of a s pecific habitat type), other features (such as wildlife corridors or mosaics of habitats), or species populations or assemblages. Limitations 2.9. The extended Phase 1 survey was undertaken on the 20th October, 2012, which meant that some plant species were not likely to be visible owing to seasonal die back. However, based on subsequent observations of habitats during protected species surveys, it is considered that the extended Phase 1 survey accurately determined the type, extent and likely value of habitat types within the site. The surveys undertaken were deemed sufficient to: • Evaluate ecological resources; and • Provide sufficient information to determine the likely ecological constraints and opportunities in relation to the site. 2.10. Please note that the findings of this report are valid at the time of writing. Owing to the dynamic nature of ecological resources, if more than six months have elapsed since

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