PRELIMINARY ECOLOGICAL APPRAISAL FOR BARNFIELD COTTAGE, STONE STREET ROAD, IVY HATCH Date of report 27th November 2020 Amendment 9th December 2020 Date of survey 18th November 2020 Author Jenny Passmore Reviewer Christian Gunn Client name Mr and Mrs McElroy Corylus reference 20144 CORYLUS ECOLOGY __________________________________________________________________________________________ CORYLUS ECOLOGY Unit A3 Speldhurst Business Park, Langton Road, Speldhurst, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. TN3 0NR Telephone: 01892 861868 E-mail:
[email protected] Director: H G Wrigley (née Lucking) BSc. MIEEM Corylus Ecology Ltd Registered in England No 5005553 Registered Office: Henwood House, Henwood, Ashford Kent TN24 8DH VAT Reg No. 862 2486 14 CORYLUS ECOLOGY __________________________________________________________________________________________ SUMMARY The proposals involve converting the riding arena into a single dwelling with associated landscaping. A bat and barn owl building survey has been undertaken and there was no evidence or potential for bat roosts noted. No further surveys are considered necessary. The building is suitable for barn owl however there was no evidence of use. No rare or invasive plant species have been recorded. Species typical of acid grassland have been recorded but the assemblage is not indicative of lowland acid grassland, which is a priority habitat community. Tree (T1) has been identified with ‘Low’ bat roost potential. No evidence of bat presence was noted on endoscope inspection. Advice has been provided if this tree requires pruning or felling. The Site supports ‘Low’ quality habitat for foraging and commuting bats and the impacts are low, so further activity surveys are not required. Advice has been provided to prevent the ground conditions becoming suitable for reptiles and to avoid the disturbance of the spoil piles during winter (1st November to 1st March).