Land at Grovelands Way, Warminster Terrestrial
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LAND AT GROVELANDS WAY, WARMINSTER TERRESTRIAL INVERTEB RATE SURVEY A Report to: Durmast Ltd & ACE Retirement (Warminster) Ltd Report No: RT-MME -121326-04 Date: August 2016 Triumph House, Birmingham Road, Allesley, Coventry CV5 9AZ Tel: 01676 525880 Fax: 01676 521400 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.middlemarch-environmental.com Land at Grovelands Way, Warminster RT-MME-121326-02 Terrestrial Invertebrate Survey REPORT VERIFICATION AND DECLARATION OF COMPLIANCE This study has been undertaken in accordance with British Standard 42020:2013 “Biodiversity, Code of practice for planning and development”. Report Date Completed by: Checked by: Approved by: Version Richard Wright (Terrestrial Invertebrate Specialist) and Tom Docker MCIEEM Dr Philip Fermor Final 18/8/2016 Dr Katy Read CEnv (Ecological Impact CEnv MCIEEM MCIEEM MCIWEM Assessment Manager) (Managing Director) C.WEM DipSM (Executive Director) The information which we have prepared is true, and has been prepared and provided in accordance with the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management’s Code of Professional Conduct. We confirm that the opinions expressed are our true and professional bona fide opinions. DISCLAIMER The contents of this report are the responsibility of Middlemarch Environmental Ltd. It should be noted that, whilst every effort is made to meet the client’s brief, no site investigation can ensure complete assessment or prediction of the natural environment. Middlemarch Environmental Ltd accepts no responsibility or liability for any use that is made of this document other than by the client for the purposes for which it was originally commissioned and prepared. VALIDITY OF DATA The findings of this study are valid for a period of 24 months from the date of survey. If works have not commenced by this date, an updated site visit should carried out by a suitably qualified ecologist to assess any changes in the habitats present on site, and to inform a review of the conclusions and recommendations made. Middlemarch Environmental Ltd. Page 1 Land at Grovelands Way, Warminster RT-MME-121326-02 Terrestrial Invertebrate Survey NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY In June 2016, Middlemarch Environmental Ltd was commissioned by Durmast Ltd & ACE Retirement (Warminster) Ltd to carry out a terrestrial invertebrate survey at the site of a proposed development located off Grovelands Way in Warminster, Wiltshire. An ecological desk study was undertaken, with records of invertebrates within a 2 km radius from the site obtained from Wiltshire and Swindon Biological Records Centre. This revealed a wide range of protected and notable invertebrate species, the majority of which are Lepidoptera. The terrestrial invertebrate survey was undertaken on 8th July and 9th and 15th August 2016 by Richard Wright (Specialist Invertebrate Surveyor). This consisted of an initial site visit, which identified the habitats within the site to be primarily grassland, with some wetter areas, secondary woodland and hedgerows. On both visits, invertebrates were recorded by direct observation, sweep netting and beating trees and shrubs. On the 9th August 2016 visit, water (pan) traps and pitfall traps were set. These were emptied and removed on 15th August 2016. A total of 318 species of invertebrate was recorded, none of which are considered nationally scarce or otherwise of conservation importance. Using the ISIS analysis, no Broad or Specific Assemblage Types (BATs or SATs) were found to be in favourable condition. While species diversity is reasonably high, the great majority of species recorded are widespread and generally common. The areas of interest are all in the eastern part of the site, within the Coldharbour Meadows Local Wildlife Site. Here there are small areas of wildflower grassland and larger areas of wetter habitat dominated by tall ruderal plants. While far from outstanding, these habitats do have some value for invertebrates. Based on the data collected during this survey, the following recommendation is provided: R1 As far as possible, habitats within Coldharbour Meadows LWS should be retained intact and without damage during development works. R2 The habitats within Coldharbour Meadows LWS are currently being invaded by colonising scrub and tree species. Opportunities for enhancement of the grassland habitats for terrestrial invertebrates would include the long-term management of the grassland to ensure that this habitat is retained and succession is not allowed to occur. R3 The development proposals should ensure that they do not result in any adverse changes to the hydrology of the wetland habitat areas of Coldharbour Meadows LWS through diversion of water away from the LWS habitats. R4 Consideration should be given to the opportunities for the creation of wildlife pond habitats within the site to diversify the range of habitat opportunities for invertebrates at the site. Middlemarch Environmental Ltd. Page 2 Land at Grovelands Way, Warminster RT-MME-121326-02 Terrestrial Invertebrate Survey CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................................... 4 1.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND ..................................................................................................................... 4 1.2 SITE DESCRIPTION AND CONTEXT ....................................................................................................... 4 1.3 DOCUMENTATION PROVIDED .............................................................................................................. 4 1.4 LEGISLATION ...................................................................................................................................... 5 2. METHODOLOGY...................................................................................................................................... 6 2.1 DESK STUDY ..................................................................................................................................... 6 2.2 TERRESTRIAL INVERTEBRATE HABITAT ASSESSMENT ........................................................................... 6 2.3 TERRESTRIAL INVERTEBRATE SURVEY ................................................................................................. 6 2.4 TERRESTRIAL INVERTEBRATE ASSESSMENT ........................................................................................ 6 3. DESK STUDY RESULTS ......................................................................................................................... 8 3.1 BIOLOGICAL RECORDS ....................................................................................................................... 8 4. RESULTS ............................................................................................................................................... 10 4.1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 10 4.2 SURVEY CONSTRAINTS .................................................................................................................... 10 4.3 INVERTEBRATE HABITAT ASSESSMENT .............................................................................................. 10 4.4 INVERTEBRATE SURVEY RESULTS ...................................................................................................... 10 4.5 SPECIES OF CONSERVATION CONCERN .............................................................................................. 10 4.6 ANALYSIS USING ISIS ....................................................................................................................... 11 5. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS ..................................................................................................... 12 5.1 SUMMARY OF SITE PROPOSALS ........................................................................................................ 12 5.2 HABITATS AND SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS ............................................................................. 12 5.3 INVERTEBRATE SPECIES AND SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS ........................................................ 12 5.4 CONCLUSIONS ................................................................................................................................. 12 6. RECOMMENDATIONS .......................................................................................................................... 13 7. DRAWINGS ............................................................................................................................................ 14 8. PHOTOGRAPHS .................................................................................................................................... 16 REFERENCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY ........................................................................................................... 17 APPENDIX 1 ................................................................................................................................................... 18 Middlemarch Environmental Ltd. Page 3 Land at Grovelands Way, Warminster RT-MME-121326-02 Terrestrial Invertebrate Survey 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND In late June 2016, Durmast Ltd & ACE Retirement (Warminster) Ltd commissioned Middlemarch Environmental Ltd to undertake a Terrestrial Invertebrate Survey at the site of a proposed development located off Grovelands Way in Warminster,