Porters Farm Knatts Valley Sevenoaks Kent TN15 6XH

Great Crested Newt Non-Licensed Method Statement

18th October 2018

PJC ref: 3965AO/18

This report has been prepared by

PJC Consultancy Ltd

on behalf of

Corinthian Land (West Kent) Ltd.

Version Author Checked by Approved by Date Type 1 Tara Hall Sam Dawson Thomas Knight 15/10/18 Rev01 1 Tara Hall Sam Dawson Thomas Knight 18/10/18 Final

T: 01323 400311 Unit 1, Hanover Mill, E: [email protected] Mersham, Nr Ashford, Kent, TN25 6NU.

4 4 4 5 5 6 8 8 8

. 10 12 ......

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Specification ......

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AO/1 Temporary GCN Exclusion Fencing Fencing GCN Temporary Exclusion

965

Instruction Background Information Proposal Policy Planning Legislation and Site Description toPrior Construction Works Construction WorksDuring

COMPENSATION MEASURES AND ENHANCEMENT Appendix MITIGATION MEASURES INTRODUCTION /10/2018 8 2.2 2.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.1 1

3 4 2 CONTENTS 1

PJC No: Ref PJC/3 Date:

. s for

ct ct to s m east of of east m the mature surrounding 50

to produce a a to produce

considered considered to the not anticipated. anticipated. not

ter referred to as to referred ter of of

method statement statement method

luding luding hedgerows t) Ltd

are s suitability to support support to suitability

, indicating , that GCN indicating ir the , approximately 0.1ha of survey WestKen

d ( ildlife Site ildlife precautionary located approximately approximately located grassland potentially suitable breeding pond

longer longer

It should be noted however that even though though even that however noted be should It five

ollowing a precautionary approach, the pond the approach, precautionarya ollowing Corinthian Lan

within a Local W

Triturus cristatus areas the closest pond pond closest the

inform any subsequent requirements for mitigation, recommended to determine

Habitat SuitabilityIndex (HSI) r Therefore,f no no suitable aquatic vegetation is located within the Site ere

party land and land access could not be obtained to carry

w - of of the Site s

the the proposed development could result in a direct impa

furthe

, Porters Farm, Knatts Valley, Sevenoaks (hereaf Sevenoaks Valley, Knatts Farm, Porters permanently cleared. This area of grassland is

commissioned by by commissioned support breeding GCN. breeding support 8

pond

would then ences to facilitate the proposed development.

as be Although the Site s

the AO/1 ). of of

s nnected to the Site by suitable terrestrial habitat inc 965 located on third on located 1km 1km northwest

HSI survey are development at

report identified the presence of a

s e some limited foraging, commuting and shelter opportunities for GCN during their for GCN their during and opportunities shelter commuting foraging, some limited GROUND INFORMATION GCN records were also identified within a 1km radius of the Site, the nearest being being nearest the Site, the of a radius 1km within identified also were records GCN

s within 250m of 250m s within licensed great crested newt (GCN) . Th /10/2018 therefore assumed to -

8 1 The pond The survey further out are As part of the original PEA, original the of part As pond GCN lic and/or compensation GCN GCN from loss of GCN and potential commuting terrestrial habitat foraging if GCN are surroundings. wider and Site the within present an area of longer grassland is to hedgerows surrounding the be Site are lost to to be retained and facilitate the the loss development, of terrestrial the habitatof between fragmentation grassland lead or shall isolation any to not a small pocket of ponds. surrounding of network Three approximately landscape. wider the within present likely are GCN breeding for waterbodies suitable on impacts direct conclusion, In However, although unlikely the Site and co Furthermore, the Site itself supported which is proposed to provide terrestrial lifecycle phase. The requirement to consider the potential impacts of the proposed development on GCN GCN on development the proposed of impacts potential the to consider The requirement was identified within the Consultancy, 201 original Preliminary Ecological itself, the Appraisal (PEA) Site, the of radius report 250m a within GCN (PJC non to ensure legal compliance residential during the construction and the ‘Site’). operation of the proposed BACK INTRODUCTION INSTRUCTION w Ltd Consultancy PJC

PJC No: Ref PJC/3 Date:

1.2.5 1.2.4 1.2.3 1.2.2 1.2.1 1.2 1.1.1 1.1 1

it it a

of of he he

, e any e any priority 2) was - 0.1ha - A14 - . Furthermore, Furthermore, . 0.01 rdance with GCN terrestrial GCN terrestrial minimising the to to the east

d detrimental impacts

in in acco possible’ optimal no no

ing pon ing

Basedupon

sub a European Protected Species Species Protected European a as a precautionary approach approach precautionary a as

there are to to proceed or alive) GCN, or aand of anyor part

however,

, licenseapplication form (WML

(as amended) and the Wildlifeand Countryside GCN 7 and and the Site and the the eggs of GCN; and are afforded protection under the Conservation Conservation the under protection afforded are and

conversion of several existing agricultural barns into

from the potential GCN breed

pond pecies t of construction activities. t of construction activities construction S for the for

construction activities are reasonably unlikely to contraven to unlikely reasonably are activities construction nearest nearest 8

’ risk meaning the risk of an offence being committed is consideredis committed being offence an of meaningrisk the risk ’ within 100m rotected the P AO/1 necessary Act 2006 and are a UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) and Kent AND PLANNING POLICY amber

965 the Site asaSite theresul

method statement. statement. method

uropean g or shelter. shelter. g or E Under thiscombined legislation itis an offence to:

: the presence of GCN records within the wider surroundings, the suitable habitat likely unlesssuitable mitigation methodology is adhered to.

are a a are

/10/2018 Damage or destroy a breedingsite or resting placeof a GCN; (dead GCN a advertise/sell/exchange or Possess for GCN by used place or structure any to access obstruct recklessly or Intentionally breedin Deliberately capture, injure or killaGCN; GCN; a disturb recklessly or Intentionally Deliberately take or destroy GCN or 8 1 pecies.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out that the planning system should should system planning the that out sets (NPPF) Framework Policy Planning National The contribute and enhance the local environment, for example, impacts through ‘ which GCN including species protected to relating principles of number a outlines onNPPF the biodiversitythe local planning authorities should follow when determining planning applications, these andinclude providing net gains in biodiversity where • • • s • • • LEGISLATION GCN Habitatsof and Species Regulations 201 Act, 1981 (as amended). GCN are also listed as a Species of Principal Importance (SPI) under the NERC PROPOSAL A proposal has been outlined detached residential properties withassociated gardens and parking. was considered precautionary that is to ensure statement method this of The purpose on the favorable conservation status of GCN present and within no risk to individual GCN potentially Given between connectivity lost, is being that habitat Therefore,GCN. pertainingpolicytoplanning legalor known necessary considered not was License Mitigation the within tool assessment risk rapid The GCN.on development proposed the risk of assess the used to damaged or lost land ‘ a indicatestool to be

PJC No: Ref PJC/3 Date:

1.4.2 1.4.1 1.4 1.3 1.3.1 1.2.8 1.2.7 1.2.6

a planning

grid grid reference:

can can be seen in 1 Figure

a rural setting, surrounded on on surrounded setting, rural a

and opportunities sought for

following to protected species

Local Wildlife Sites and sites of local

the closes pond

setsoutthe relevant policies for the control of

development cannot be avoided…adequately and

sets out the

enhancement of biodiversity through the creation, Designated sites will be managed with the primary objective

8 that

e application, the local planning authority also has a duty to consider consider to duty a has also authority planning local the application, e AO/1 states olicy olicy SP11 ‘Biodiversity’ 965 P

RIPTION

he biodiversity of the District will be conserved T ‘ The presence of a protected species is a material consideration when Sevenoaks District Core Strategy (2011) Strategy Core District Sevenoaks /10/2018 of promotingOpportunities biodiversityprotection, will maintenancebe whilst sought enhancement, improvealso for providing and,the connectivity where extensionfor appropriate possible,between andhabitats.' enhancement levels management of public of access. a green of sites infrastructure and through network theto enhancementvalue will to Sites be ensure protected of importance noSpecial netwith losstheScientific for highest biodiversity of biodiversity. Interest, level of protection followed Sites designated givenby to nationally for biodiversity designated authority resultis considering in harm ato development the species proposalor its habitat’. that, if carried out, would be likely to encouraged’; and ‘ ‘...if significantmitigated,refused’; harmor, as resultinga last resort,‘…opportunities from compensated a to for, incorporate then planning biodiversity permission in should and be around developments should be 8 1

parcels of grassland and ruderal vegetation, with the Site enclosed by a mixture of speciesmixture of Sitegrasslandaandparcelsenclosed ruderalvegetation,by of the with poor and species rich hedgerows.The Site is situated within fields. farmland by aspects all of The the its location environs Site within below. SITE DESC SITE of area an within road, Cross Birchin and road Bottom Magpie between located is Site The land at Farm, Porters which is to situated the of southeast centre Romney Street village OS (Central centre town of Sevenoaks to northeast the and more broadly TQ55440 60837). The Site for the majority buildings, with comprises agricultural small • The The development. development: proposed the and GCN including When determining th determining When the possible effects of a proposed development upon Circular protected 06/2005 species and habitats. § § §

PJC No: Ref PJC/3 Date:

1.5.2 1.5 1.5.1 1.4.4 1.4.3

Pond

8 AO/1 965

: Site: Location Plan 1 /10/2018 8 1

Figure

PJC No: Ref PJC/3 Date:

to to

or or on east n vigilant vigilant n must not not must terrestrial

works any

obstruction obstruction undertaking

the following

, remai standing standing

Potential Potential refuge -

in a north natural

maintained below existing grassland existing - .

. construction

ecologist. to to existing tracks areas or of ecologistprior to

the suitable semi suitable directional cut

, which will reduce the likelihood of of likelihood the reduce will , which

stage . - stored on stored areas of hard areas areas of

two

suitably qualified suitably

must be must

searchclearedthe areas either before the first cut This technique will allow any protected species - he area; he , including mature hedgerows mature including , excavationspreventcoveredotherbetomust(orGCN

, works. If at any point during

ORKS eave t aterials aterials

N WORKS N people and beplant must kept ecologist as being unsuitable for GCN i.e GCN for unsuitable as being ecologist

. 8 the exposed tree roots potentially used by hibernating GCN hibernating by used potentially roots tree exposed

or construction ust be conducted using a AO/1 ecologistmusthand , the first cut reducing the vegetation to approximately 150mm, then the the then 150mm, approximately to vegetation the reducing cut first the ,

works on Site. immediatelyand 965

s log piles piles log being utilised by GCN and other wildlife

generated from habitat clearance works must be removed from Site and should should and Site from removed be must works clearance habitat from generated tely after, depending on the height of the vegetation and visibility. All clearance . direction

y present to naturally disperse to other standing and existing grassland (providing the grassland sward is sward grassland the (providing grassland existing and standing west mitigation measures detailed below are provided to ensure that in are the below event of provided GCN detailed measures mitigation - /10/2018 Stop work Stop machinery, equipment m and equipment machinery, arising’s 8

suitably qualified suitably URING CONSTRUCTION W

instructions must be adhered to: adhered be must instructions • other areas identified by shortof (<500mm) sward must clearance in works habitat involved All those site particularly workers, at all times during protectedspecies signs species of or protectedincluding GCNare identified All excavations should be excavated individually and back filled immediately after sides where both or one possible notis possible, Wherethis possible. not is this If excavation. the within trapped becoming animals) theof excavationmust slopedbeallow in order egressto excavation.from the All be movedbe affectedconstructionor during works All a 24hr period than longer any for Site on not stored be thearisings habitat outside of the Site boundaries Site the of outside habitat A immediaor of suitable GCN habitat must be supervised at all times by features i.e 150mm in height). in 150mm Habitat clearance m south second reducing it to ground level. potentiall habitat clearance clearance habitat D for egress routes and Access hard of access.of PRIOR TO CONSTRUCTIO Tool ecological an received have must works clearance habitat undertaking workers site All a from GCN on focus a with (TBT) Talk Box MITIGATIONMEASURES The being present within the areSite,injury disturbanceprotected theyor death,and from that or destruction, damage, from protected also are places resting or breeding their

PJC No: Ref PJC/3 Date:

2.1.7 2.1.6 2.1.5 2.1.4 2.1.3 2.1.2 2.1.1 2.1 2.2.1 2.2 2.1.1 2

, a

. Thefence will detailed within . curl (250mm of of (250mm curl shall beinstalled - an ecologist situthroughout the

- accessing the constructionaccessingthe

If If defects are observed, a to do so to do by to support protected to support species, . GCN

GCN in order to fix any defects any fix to order in

it is safe safe is it lap (100mm ofmembrane curled back andshall remain in

- be found at any point during the works

on of Habitats and Species Regulations (2017). (2017). Regulations Species and Habitats of on nificant barrier to to barrier nificant until advised

Porters Farm Porters s

at at work d by the site manager on a weekly basis to ensure it is in and shall remainin place for the durationof the works. individual GCN individual

, and ,

8 usionfencingwill recognisedadhereto specifications AO/1 construction construction the ecologist 965 deepinto the ground withan under

/10/2018 Inform an ecologist immediately who will then provide further guidance/instructions; further provide then will who immediately ecologist an Inform Do not try to handlea GCN Do not resume 8 1

t should be noted that should

from the fence) buried 450mm deep into the ground. There will be a top membrane folded over twice)at the top of the fence facing outwards. monitore be should The fencing good condition and remains an effective reputablecontractor should beinformed barrier immediately to thesupervision of excl the of design The 1997) (DMRB, Bridges and Roads for Manual Design England Highways the be made of UV resistant polythene approximately 600mm in height with softwood battens 300mmburied construction zone within the Site no longer has the potential potential the has longer no Site the within zone construction specification) for Appendix I (see exclusion fencing amphibian temporary site development entire the around sig a as act will which phase, construction under completed be shall fencing the of installation The harmed. being potentially and zone European European Protected Species Licence (EPSL) may be required to permit works that would potentially cause disturbance. An EPSL for development are ConservatiissuedThe of 53(2)(e)by Regulation under Natural England weeks. six to up take can process application This the satisfied is ecologist the and cleared been has habitat terrestrial GCN suitable all Once • • • I

PJC No: Ref PJC/3 Date:

2.1.11 2.1.10 2.1.9 2.1.8

: pecies s should be encourages encourages

and soprano soprano and iority iority

. Therefore, pr pecies including

should be planted with a , mammal s ing to increase the biodiversity biodiversity the increase to ing ASURES

term impact on the favourable

- Pipistrellus pipistrellus

a number of the following species following the of number a ;

and

; Sevenoaks District Core Strategy Core District Sevenoaks

;

; Turdus philomelos include

; ; benefit in the long

- ; ANCEMENT ME ANCEMENT

;

, common pipistrelle pipistrelle common , ; and multiple invertebrate and flowering plant species. plant flowering and invertebrate multiple and

Torilis japonica, y Centaurea nigra

Stachys sylvatica Cynosurus cristatus 8 Deschampsia cespitosa Galium mollugo hedgerow base is of particular importance to GCN

ing these trees in order to maintain terrestrial connectivity between between connectivity terrestrial maintain to order in trees these ing and should ideally ideally should and

Silene dioica Vicia cracca Geum urbanum Anthriscus sylvestris at at the existing hedgerows within the Site AO/1 compensation and measures detailed below compensation enhancement Agrimonia eupatoria

965

to to ensure an overall net

Pipistrellus pygmaeus Muscardinus avellanarius Tufted hair grass grass hair Tufted vetch Tufted Upright hedge parsle avens Wood Crested dog’s tail Hedge bedstraw Hedge woundwort campion Red Agrimony Agrimony Common bent Agrostis capillaris; Common knapweed Cow parsley

/10/2018 this this basis the o o o o o o o o o o o o the surrounding ponds to the east and west of the of west Site; and east the surrounding to the ponds A dense and diverse hedgerow base wildflower seedmix Retaining Retaining a treeline to intersect the Site. There should be a buffer of longer grassland surround shrubs and roundings. 8 1

Areas of the Site must be set aside for ecological landscap ecological Areas must be aside set for of Site the value of the Site for GCN and other include: protected measures and landscaping notable species. These ecological It should be noted that the compensation and enhancement measures detailed below also also below detailed measures enhancement and compensation the that noted be should It target other protected and notable species thrush including song as such a species bird number including of Kent dormice pipistrelle On On implemented status of conservation GCN in the event that they are within present the Site and wider sur ENHAND COMPENSATION Under Section 40 of the and NPPF the the NERCaddition, In Act conservation. 2006 there projects. is development into a integrated duty be to to enhancement have ecological regard to biodiversity • •

PJC No: Ref PJC/3 Date:

3.1.4 3.1.3 3.1.2 3.1.1 3

8 AO/1 965

margins. These provide increased foraging and hibernating opportunities for other small animals. /10/2018 Two refugia comprising dead wood and brash habitat piles should be installed within the the within installed be should piles habitat brash and wood dead comprising refugia Two hedgerow and GCN 8 1

•

PJC No: Ref PJC/3 Date:

ION FENCING

8 TEMPORARY GCN EXCLUS

AO/1 I: 965

/10/2018 8 1 APPENDIX SPECIFICATION

PJC No: Ref PJC/3 Date:

4 VOLUME 10 SECTION 4 ANNEX B DESIGN OF REPTILE-PROOF FENCING PART 7 HA 116/05

Temporary Reptile Fence 250ì thick , UV-stable polythene membrane. (Minimum roll width: 1000 mm.) This is a standard temporary fence design which can be utilised in situations where it is necessary to create a reptile-proof barrier for periods usually not exceeding a single season. Polythene folded over and stapled to 19x38x100 mm rough sawn (RS) Although this design will effectively prevent the passage of reptiles in either direction, the softwood batten to form an overhang. ‘returns’ on the fence should face outwards, i.e. facing the direction from which the majority of any reptiles are expected to approach. It can be constructed from relatively inexpensive materials, but is easily damaged or vandalised, and will degrade over time. Fences of this type 19x38x100 mm RS softwood batten; this acts as a spacer to create effective are less appropriate in windy situations where damage will be more frequent. Also if placed overhang. close to areas where plant operate regularly and/or earthworks are taking place, a membrane fence of this kind is usually best protected by a more robust fence, for example a wooden 19x38x500 mm RS softwood batten; paling fence. attached to the post using 50 mm nails, sandwiching the membrane. Care needs to be taken when undertaking the necessary maintenance works to ensure that 600 mm vegetation does not grow over the fence. If undertaken mechanically, this can easily damage 50x50x1200 mm RS softwood post. Spacing at 1.5 m intervals. the membrane. Backfill compacted as far as possible to The use of a nail gun is recommended to attach the battens securely to the posts. Not only is ensure that no fissures or gaps are left in the backfill or against the polythene. this advantageous for speed, but prevents any loosening of the posts which can be associated with the repeated impacts of a hammer.

Some practitioners prefer the use of flexible plastic washers to hold the membrane in place, as an alternative to softwood battens. (An example of this is shown inset.) The result is similar in Polythene turned out to form a buried strength and durability to that of the previous design, but precludes the use of a nail gun, as 'return'. This 'return' should face 150 mm outwards from the excluded area, i.e. the washers require a large headed nail and cannot withstand the force produced by the gun. facing the majority of amphibians seeking to cross it. 300 mm

100 mm

32 mm diameter plastic washers can be used to affix the polythene membrane to the posts (with 40 mm, broad-headed nails).

A small off-cut from a post allows the creation of an effective return at the top of the polythene membrane.

MAY 2005 B/1