National Grid Electricity Transmission

DOCUMENT 5.9.2.9

Reptile Report Chapter 9 – Appendix 9

National Grid (North Wales Connection Project)

Regulation 5(2)(a) including (l) and (m) of the Infrastructure Planning (Applications: Prescribed Forms and Procedure) Regulations 2009

Application Reference EN020015 September 2018 Environmental Statement Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report Document 5.9.2.9 i

North Wales Connection Project Volume 5 Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report Document 5.9.2.9

National Grid National Grid House Warwick Technology Park Gallows Hill Warwick CV34 6DA

Final September 2018

North Wales Connection Project Environmental Statement Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report Document 5.9.2.9 ii

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North Wales Connection Project Environmental Statement Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report Document 5.9.2.9 iii

Document Control

Document Properties

Organisation AECOM

Author Jaqueline Jobes, Jack Muskett, Lyndsey Spawforth

Approved by Nicola Lewis

Title Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report

Document Reference Document 5.9.2.9

Version History

Date Version Status Description/Changes

September Rev A Final Final for submission 2018

North Wales Connection Project Environmental Statement Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report Document 5.9.2.9 iv

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North Wales Connection Project Environmental Statement Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report Document 5.9.2.9 v

Contents 1 Introduction 1 1.1 Introduction 1 2 Legislation and Planning Policy 3 2.1 Legislation 3 2.2 Planning Policy 4 3 Methodology 7 3.1 Desk study 7 3.2 Field Survey 7 3.3 Assumptions and Limitations 9 4 Results 11 4.1 Desk study 11 4.2 Field Survey 12 5 Conclusion 16 6 References 18 Annex A: Areas Scoped In and Out 23 Annex B: Habitat Descriptions for Reptile Survey Areas and Areas Scoped Out 24 Annex C: Basic Evaluation of Population Size and Importance of Reptiles30 Annex D: Reptile Survey Conditions 31 Annex E: Desk Study Data 39 Annex F: Photographs 44

FIGURES Figure 1 Reptile Data Search Figure 2 Reptile Survey Areas Figure 3 Reptile Survey Results

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1 Introduction

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Description of the Proposed Development

1.1.1 The Proposed Development would provide a new 400 kilovolt (kV) connection between the existing substations at Wylfa and Pentir and includes the following principal components:

· extension to the existing substation at Wylfa;

· sections of new 400 kV overhead line between Wylfa Substation and Braint Tunnel Head House (THH) and Cable Sealing End Compound (CSEC) on Anglesey including modifications to parts of the existing 400 kV overhead line between Wylfa and Pentir;

· Braint THH and CSEC on Anglesey;

· tunnel between Braint and Tŷ Fodol THHs;

· Tŷ Fodol THH and CSEC in Gwynedd;

· new section of 400 kV overhead line between Tŷ Fodol THH and CSEC and Pentir Substation;

· extension to the existing substation at Pentir; and

· temporary construction compounds, access tracks, construction working areas, localised widening of the public highway and third party works that are required to construct the infrastructure listed above.

1.1.2 The Proposed Development has been split into six sections (A – F), see Figure 1.

1.1.3 A full description of the Proposed Development is provided in Chapter 3, Description of the Proposed Development (Document 5.3) and Chapter 4, Construction, Operation, Maintenance and Decommissioning of the Proposed Development (Document 5.4).

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Introduction to the Report

1.1.4 This report identifies where protected populations of reptile, including slow- worm (Anguis fragilis), common lizard (Zootoca vivipara), adder (Vipera berus) and grass snake (Natrix natrix)1, have been recorded within and up to a distance of 2 km from the Order Limits through a desk-based assessment and in suitable habitat present within the Order Limits plus 50 m buffer through field surveys carried out during 2016 and 2017.

1.1.5 This report also identifies relevant legislation and planning policy relating to reptiles, which are outlined in section 2.

Objectives

1.1.6 The objectives of the reptile surveys and report are to:

· review existing ecological data to identify any records for reptiles within and up to 2 km from the Order Limits, referred to as the study area in this report;

· provide baseline information about the presence of reptiles within suitable habitat present within and up to 50 m from the Order Limits, referred to as survey areas in this report;

· evaluate the status of reptile species within the survey areas;

· use the above information to inform the Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) set out in Chapter 9, Ecology and Nature Conservation (Document 5.9) to determine whether reptile populations could be affected by the Proposed Development; and

· inform the Biodiversity Mitigation Strategy (Document 7.7) for the Proposed Development.

1 The British population of grass snake belongs to the distinct subspecies Natrix natrix helvetica, but new research published in August 2017 proposed that it should be elevated to full species status, with the name barred grass snake (Natrix helvetica). The Wildlife Trusts Website (2018) https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife- explorer/reptiles/grass-snake

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2 Legislation and Planning Policy

2.1 LEGISLATION

2.1.1 Several different acts of legislation and regulations refer to the protection of wildlife. Legislation relevant to reptiles is outlined below.

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000

2.1.2 The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 applies to England and Wales only. Part III of the Act deals specifically with wildlife protection and nature conservation.

2.1.3 The Act places a duty on Government Departments and the Welsh Government to have regard for the conservation of biodiversity and maintain lists of species and habitats for which conservation steps should be taken or promoted, in accordance with the Convention on Biological Diversity.

2.1.4 Schedule 12 of the Act amends the species provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), strengthening the legal protection for threatened species. The provisions make certain offences 'arrestable', include an offence of reckless disturbance, confer greater powers to police and wildlife inspectors for entering premises and enable heavier penalties on conviction of wildlife offences.

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended)

2.1.5 The reptile species listed under Schedule 5 (common lizard, slow-worm, adder and grass snake) are afforded the following protection under Section 9 of the Act:

· Section 9(1) of the Act makes it an offence to intentionally capture, injure or kill listed reptiles; and

· Section 9(5) makes it an offence to sell, offer or expose for sale, or possess or transport for the purpose of sale, any live or dead wild reptile listed, or any part or thing derived from them. It is also an offence to publish or cause to be published any advertisement likely to be understood as conveying that listed reptiles, or parts or derived things of them are bought, sold or are intended to be. Section 9 applies to all stages in their life cycle.

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2.1.6 Species with higher levels of European protection (sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) and smooth snake (Coronella austriaca)) under Schedule 2 of The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 are unlikely to be present within the study area as they have restricted distributions in certain locations in the UK; no records for these two species were returned during the desk study.

Environment (Wales) Act 2016

2.1.7 Section 6 of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 places a duty on public authorities to ‘seek to maintain and enhance biodiversity’ so far as it is consistent with the proper exercise of those functions. In so doing, public authorities must also seek to ‘promote the resilience of ecosystems’. The duty replaces the section 40 duty in the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (NERC Act 2006), in relation to Wales, and applies to those authorities that fell within the previous duty (Ref 1).

2.1.8 To assist in complying with this duty, public authorities must have regard to relevant evidence provided in the State of Natural Resources Report and any relevant area statement for an area in which the authority exercises functions, as well as having regard to the list of living organisms and habitats published under Section 7 of the Act (which replaces the section 42 list for Wales provided in the NERC Act 2006) (Ref 1).

2.1.9 All native reptile species are listed under Section 7 of the Act. Section 7 is a list of species and habitats of principal importance for the purpose of maintaining and enhancing biodiversity in relation to Wales. This list is currently under review by the Welsh Government in consultation with National Resources Wales (NRW).

2.2 PLANNING POLICY

National Policy

2.2.1 Government planning policy guidance throughout the UK requires local planning authorities to take account of the conservation of protected species when determining planning or development consent applications. This makes the presence of a protected species a material consideration when assessing a development proposal.

2.2.2 In Wales this is implemented through Planning Policy Wales - Edition 9, November 2016, supplemented by a series of Technical Advice Notes (TANs) (Ref 2) which sets out the land use planning polices of the Welsh Government. Consultation is currently being held on the draft Planning

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Policy Wales – Edition 10 which was issued in February 2018; the consultation period ends in May 2018.

2.2.3 Chapter 5 of PPW (9) sets out the Welsh Government’s objectives for the natural heritage of Wales which includes the safeguarding of protected species. It states that ‘the presence of a species protected under European or UK legislation is a material consideration when a local planning authority is considering a development proposal which, if carried out, would be likely to result in disturbance or harm to the species or its habitat’. It also states that ‘an ecological survey to confirm whether a protected species is present and an assessment of the likely impact of the development on a protected species may be required in order to inform the planning decision’.

2.2.4 Further information on the detail of Planning Policy Wales is provided in Chapter 9, Ecology and Nature Conservation (Document 5.9).

Local Policy

2.2.5 There are a number of local planning policies set out in the Anglesey and Gwynedd Joint Local Development Plan 2017 (Ref 3) that relate to ecology and nature conservation which in combination with other planning policies will guide local authority expectations in relation to the Proposed Development::

· Strategic Policy PS 19 relates to conserving and enhancing the natural environment;

· Policy AMG 4 relates to coastal protection;

· Policy AMG 5 relates to the protection and enhancement of local biodiversity; and

· Policy AMG 6 relates to protecting sites of regional or local significance.

Biodiversity Policy

2.2.6 As a result of devolution, and new country-level and international drivers and requirements, much of the work previously carried out by the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) is now focussed at a country-level rather than a UK-level. The UK BAP was succeeded by the 'UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework' in July 2012. The UK list of priority species and habitats, however, remains an important reference source and has been used to help draw up statutory lists of priorities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Wales the current lists are those under Section 7 of the Environment (Wales) Act

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2016 which includes all British reptile species as priority species requiring conservation.

2.2.7 The national strategy for biodiversity is delivered at local level via Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAPs). Species and habitats of local conservation concern or value are included in the LBAP and an action plan is created for each species and certain habitat types. The LBAPs relevant to the study area for the Proposed Development are the Anglesey LBAP published by Isle of Anglesey County Council (IACC) and the Natur Gwynedd LBAP for Gwynedd developed by a partnership of organisations and individuals.

2.2.8 Adder is included on the Natur Gwynedd LBAP, whilst slow-worm, common lizard, grass snake and adder are listed within the Anglesey LBAP as Species of Conservation Concern to benefit through their Habitat Action Plans (HAPs).

2.2.9 The Wales Biodiversity Partnership (WBP) brings together key members from the public, private and voluntary sectors to promote and monitor biodiversity and ecosystem action in Wales. WBP provides a leadership role and an expert steer on priorities for action on biodiversity and ecosystems in Wales. The WBP Steering Group has now formally disbanded and the biodiversity action work programme taken on by the Wales Biodiversity Strategy Board (WBSB) and the WBP working groups.

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3 Methodology

3.1 DESK STUDY

3.1.1 A desk study was carried out to identify existing information concerning the presence of reptiles within the study area.

3.1.2 Protected species record data (including reptile records) was requested from Cofnod, the local environmental record centre, in February 2018; this provided an update to data obtained in November 2016 and May 2015.

3.1.3 Reptiles are transient species and populations may fluctuate in response to natural and human-caused events. Therefore only records dated since 2007 were considered in the baseline study; older records were considered to offer limited value in determining current reptile presence and distribution.

3.1.4 Existing survey reports and data were reviewed where relevant to reptiles. In particular, those prepared on behalf of Horizon Nuclear Power for the proposed Wylfa Newydd Power Station (Ref 4, Ref 5) and the ‘Former Shell Tank Farm’ site (Ref 6) which is located to the east of Rhosgoch in Section A.

3.2 FIELD SURVEY

3.2.1 Habitat data gained from the Phase 1 Habitat survey completed in 2015 and 2016, and the results of the desk study were used to focus the reptile field surveys. Habitats were scoped for their suitability to support reptile species by looking for features that could provide suitable foraging, breeding, basking, hibernation and shelter opportunities. The National Amphibian and Reptile Recording Scheme (NARRS) Reptile Habitat Guide (2007) (Ref 7) was used when assessing habitat suitability for reptiles.

3.2.2 Surveys were undertaken in suitable habitats identified within the Order Limits and 50 m buffer (the survey area); including areas of permanent land take, where temporary works could adversely affect the existing reptile habitat or where there is potential to harm reptiles during construction. Areas were ruled out as potential reptile habitats on the basis of limited extent, management and isolation. Annex A of this report lists the areas scoped in and out of further survey and Figure 2 shows their locations.

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3.2.3 Habitat descriptions for reptile survey areas and those areas scoped out can be found in Annex B of this report.

3.2.4 Reptile surveys were carried out during 2016 and 2017 to identify which, if any reptile species were present and their relative abundance within the survey area.

3.2.5 The surveys were undertaken in general accordance with the methods and guidance provided in the Froglife Advice Sheet 10: Reptile Survey (1999) (Ref 8) and the Herpetofauna Workers’ Manual (Ref 9) which recommend the use of artificial refuges to survey for reptiles. Artificial refuges are used by reptiles as sheltering places from predation and disturbance as well as an aid to absorbing heat. Refugia used were of minimum size of at least 0.5 m2 and comprised bitumen roofing felt (referred to as ’tiles’).

3.2.6 The tiles were laid in the selected reptile survey areas in June 2016 (Figure 3, Annex A) and were left to bed in for at least two weeks before surveys commenced. Additional survey areas were scoped in April 2017 and further tiles were laid in suitable habitat at that time.

3.2.7 The tiles were distributed within the survey areas, focusing on potential reptile hotspots, for example in sunny areas near to cover, along hedgerows bases, on grassy banks, rides and verges, and on top of short or flattened vegetation. The density of tiles followed the guidance of approximately five to ten refuges per hectare for presence/likely absence surveys; in most of the survey areas the higher density or greater was employed, see Annex B. A total of 363 tiles were placed within the reptile survey areas (Annex B and Figure 3).

3.2.8 Each survey area was surveyed no fewer than seven times (see Annex D) which is the recommended number of visits to determine presence/likely absence of reptile species; with the exception of Areas 3.1 and 3.2, which were scoped out following the introduction of cattle to the fields (see section 3.3 Assumptions and Limitations), and Area 6.3 which was scoped out due to no longer being within the survey area (see Annex B).

3.2.9 The artificial refuge surveys were combined with visual observation surveys comprising the surveyors slowly walking a defined route through the habitat and stopping to observe reptile presence by scanning the area ahead. In order to minimise risk of disturbance to basking animals on the felt tiles, the surveyor’s approach was cautious and slow, often at distance using binoculars prior to approach. Items of natural refugia such as log piles and large stones were also checked if encountered during the surveys.

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3.2.10 Reptiles are generally active from March to October, with the peak months for survey being April, May and September but this can be affected by temperature, rainfall and other climatic patterns. Surveys were conducted within the active period between June and October 2016 and between April and September 2017. Surveys were conducted in appropriate weather conditions and temperatures; the weather conditions for each survey are provided in Annex D. Where survey conditions were suboptimal, repeat surveys were conducted in more suitable conditions.

3.2.11 A survey results log was maintained of any reptile observations, noting the species, gender (where possible), number, date, weather conditions, temperature and life stage i.e. adult, gravid female, sub-adult, juvenile, hatchling (where possible). Other animals, such as amphibians and small mammals were also recorded incidentally.

3.2.12 Due to the low numbers of reptiles recorded and the impacts largely being temporary habitat loss and disturbance, it was concluded that presence/likely absence surveys would not need to be extended to the recommended 20 visits necessary to estimate population sizes. Peak adult count has been evaluated to give an indication of the population size and importance of reptiles found in each survey area utilising guidance from Froglife (1999) (Ref 8) for basic evaluation (Annex C).

3.2.13 The tiles were collected and removed from the survey areas at the end of the last survey.

3.3 ASSUMPTIONS AND LIMITATIONS

3.3.1 The aim of a desk study is to help characterise the baseline context of a proposed development and provide valuable background information that would not be captured by site surveys alone. Information obtained during the course of a desk study is dependent upon individuals and organisations having made and submitted records for the area of interest. As such, a lack of records for a particular species does not necessarily mean that the species do not occur in a study area. Likewise, the presence of records for particular species does not automatically mean that these still occur within the area of interest or are relevant in the context of a proposed development.

3.3.2 The detail and accuracy of the desk study records rely on those provided to Cofnod from a variety of sources. The results of the updated desk study undertaken in February 2018 have been considered for the baseline assessment. The latest desk study search was conducted on the Proposed Development layout which now covers a smaller area resulting in some

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records being excluded that had previously been considered. The search also uses the latest priority and conservation lists which has also resulted in some further additions and exclusions of certain species.

3.3.3 Surveys were affected by the introduction of stock in Areas 3.1 and 3.2, located within the western edges of Anglesey Fens Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Anglesey and Llyn Fens Ramsar, Cors Erddreiniog Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and National Nature Reserve (NNR), after tiles had been laid. Three surveys were conducted in these survey areas before the decision to stop surveys was made. Firstly there was a risk that any reptiles using the tiles could be at risk from trampling and secondly the introduction of cattle and the associated impact on the habitat reduced the suitability of the habitat for supporting reptiles (reduced vegetation height and ground cover). No reptiles had been found during the three visits completed at these survey areas and it is considered that only small numbers of reptiles could be supported in these areas due to the grazing.

3.3.4 Due to the growth and subsequent collapse of vegetation as the season progresses, some tiles were not able to be located during the duration of the survey period (i.e. covered by folded vegetation). However, the overall density of the reptile tiles combined with the visual survey effort did not significantly limit the survey work.

3.3.5 It is concluded that despite the above limitations, the survey methods used and the survey effort implemented was appropriate to determine the presence of reptiles in the survey areas. As population surveys were not conducted the population estimates are an indication of the likely population size present. Where data was obtained over two survey seasons (2016 and 2017), it is comparable providing confidence in the results.

3.3.6 The extensive completion of other ecological surveys across the study area during 2016 and 2017 allowed opportunity to record incidental reptile observations. Incidental reptile sightings made during other ecology surveys are provided in section 4.2.

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4 Results

4.1 DESK STUDY

Statutory Designations

4.1.1 No international, national or local designated sites which are designated specifically for the conservation of reptiles are located within 2 km of the Order Limits. However, populations of reptiles are recognised as a special feature of the Cors Erddreiniog SSSI and NNR. The Order Limits overlap in places along the western boundary of the SSSI and NNR.

Data Search Records

4.1.2 Cofnod provided 33 records for reptiles within the study area, none of these records fall within the Order Limits plus 50 m buffer. These are included on Figure 1 and are detailed in Annex E (Records COF-1 to COF-33).

4.1.3 The data set included records for adder, slow-worm and common lizard. The majority of the records were recorded in Section C within the Anglesey Fens SAC, Anglesey and Llyn Fens Ramsar, Cors Erddreiniog SSSI and NNR and the Cors Goch NNR.

4.1.4 Due to the precision of some of the grid references provided by Cofnod e.g. 1 km2 grid reference which then places the record at the centre of the square, one record show slightly outside the 2 km study area (Record COF- 25 on Figure 1) and two records fall within Cemlyn Bay (Records COF-3 and COF-4 on Figure 1); however these have been included for completeness.

Report Reviews

4.1.5 Previous survey data collected on behalf of Horizon Nuclear Power at the ‘Former Shell Tank Farm’ site (Ref 6) located to the east of Rhosgoch, found a single common lizard in June 2016 (Record SHE-1 on Figure 1). The location of the lizard was approximately 1.43 km from the Order Limits.

4.1.6 Reptile surveys undertaken on behalf of Horizon Nuclear Power for the Wylfa Newydd Power Station between 2008 and 2013 recorded small populations of adder and common lizard. These are included on Figure 1 and are detailed in Annex E (Records HOR-1 to HOR-28). Some of these records fall within the Order Limits and are discussed further in this report. Update surveys were not considered necessary in this area and the results

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were considered sufficient for this baseline assessment as reptile presence has been confirmed and appropriate mitigation measures would be implemented.

4.2 FIELD SURVEY

4.2.1 The combination of desk study and field survey data from the Phase 1 Habitat survey sought to inform the determination of 17 possible reptile survey areas located within the Order Limits plus 50 m buffer. Of these, 12 were taken forward for survey and five were scoped out (Annexes A and B). Photographs of the scoped areas are provided in Annex F.

4.2.2 The presence of common lizard was confirmed in four of the survey areas: Area 3, Area 4 (both within Section C), Area 6.1 and Area 6.2 (both within Section F).

4.2.3 When evaluating peak adult count, the four survey areas where presence was confirmed were identified as supporting low reptile populations (as defined in the Froglife, 1999 guidance (Ref 8): low population = less than five individuals recorded on one survey visit), with no more than two adults seen during a single visit. As population surveys were not conducted the population estimates are an indication of the likely population size present.

4.2.4 Table 4.1 summarises surveys results and where reptile presence has been confirmed.

Table 4.1 Survey Results and Confirmed Reptile Presence

Survey No. of Date Reptile Results Other Species Section Area Tiles Recorded ♂ Male, ♀ Female Recorded

Area 1 A 30 No reptiles found common toad

common frog 01 June Area 3 60 ♂ common lizard common toad 2017 common shrew

C common frog Area 3.1 10 No reptiles found common toad

Area 3.2 10 No reptiles found none recorded

2 x ♂ common 05 April common frog Area 4 60 lizards 2017 common toad common lizard skin

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Table 4.1 Survey Results and Confirmed Reptile Presence

Survey No. of Date Reptile Results Other Species Section Area Tiles Recorded ♂ Male, ♀ Female Recorded 01 June common shrew 2017 ♀ common lizard ♂ common lizard

21 June sub-adult common palmate newt 2016 lizard Area 6.1 55 common frog 27 June ♀ common lizard common toad 2017 common lizard, sex 21 June unknown 2016 ♀ common lizard common frog Area 6.2 40 20 common toad common lizard, sex September unknown 2016 F palmate newt Area 6.3 15 No reptiles found common frog common toad

Area 6.4 10 No reptiles found common toad

common frog Area 6.5 40 No reptiles found common toad

Area 7.2 18 No reptiles found common toad

D common frog Area 8 15 No reptiles found common toad

Amphibian Species Recorded

4.2.5 Within Areas 6.1 and 6.3, palmate newt (Lissotriton helveticus) was found. A maximum count of one adult was recorded during any single survey visit. Palmate newt is listed within the Anglesey LBAP as a Species of Conservation Concern to benefit through their Habitat Action Plans (HAPs).

4.2.6 Common frog (Rana temporia) was found across eight of the 12 survey areas, either as adults or juveniles. A maximum of five frogs were found during any single survey visit at Area 3. Common frog is listed within the

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Anglesey LBAP as a Species of Conservation Concern to benefit through their Habitat Action Plans (HAPs).

4.2.7 Common toad (Bufo bufo) was sighted in all survey areas, apart from Area 3.2. A maximum count of 23 toads was recorded in Area 3 during one of the survey visits. Common toad is listed on Section 7 of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 and is also listed within the Anglesey LBAP as a Species of Conservation Concern to benefit through their Habitat Action Plans (HAPs).

Incidental Reptile Records

4.2.8 The following reptile sightings were made whilst conducting other ecology surveys within the study area; an anecdotal record from a landowner has also been noted; see Figure 2 for their locations. All of the records are over 50 m from the Order Limits therefore additional survey effort was not considered necessary.

1. Anecdotal evidence from landowner of slow-worms in their garden south-west of Bodewryd, Rhosgoch in July 2016 (Section A); information was provided to surveyors whilst conducting habitat surveys in that area; no evidence of slow worm was found by the surveyors during the habitat survey.

2. Adder sighting (possible young adult) on the edge of Pond 143 located in the Anglesey Fens SAC/Ramsar and Cors Erddreiniog SSSI/NNR in May 2016 whilst conducting great crested newt surveys (Section C).

3. Four grass snake eggs observed on the south bank of Pond 239 located in the Anglesey Fens SAC/Ramsar and Cors Erddreiniog SSSI/NNR in May 2016 whilst conducting great crested newt surveys (Section C).

4. A slow-worm was observed under a discarded carpet tile (unrelated to the NWC surveys) located close to Pond 240 in the Anglesey Fens SAC/Ramsar and Cors Erddreiniog SSSI/NNR in May 2016 whilst conducting great crested newt surveys (Section C).

5. One common lizard observed basking along the roadside to the west of Pentir in July 2016 (Section F). This was on the opposite side of the road to Area 10 that was scoped out as unsuitable.

6. One common lizard observed to the south-west of the Pentir Substation in July 2016 (Section F).

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5 Conclusion

5.1.1 The presence of common lizard and adder has been identified within the Order Limits plus 50 m buffer through desk study and field surveys.

5.1.2 Presence/likely absence surveys for reptiles were undertaken at 12 survey areas located within the Order Limits plus 50 m buffer that were identified as having suitable habitat for reptiles. Common lizard were recorded in low numbers in four of these areas; Area 3, Area 4, Area 6.1 and Area 6.2.

5.1.3 The data obtained during 2016 and 2017 is comparable and provides confidence in the results indicating that a low population of common lizard is present throughout the four survey areas.

5.1.4 There have been incidental sightings and records of grass snake, adder, slow-worm and common lizard during completion of other ecology surveys being conducted in the study area during 2016 and 2017 which would indicate their presence in habitats within proximity to the Proposed Development. These incidental records occur at a distance of more than 50 m beyond the Order Limits, therefore it was concluded that surveys at these locations were not necessary.

5.1.5 In addition to the incidental sightings and records of adder, slow-worm and common lizard, desk study records were provided by Cofnod and Horizon Nuclear Power for these species within the study area. None of the sightings or records for grass snake and slow-worm fall within 50 m of the Order Limits. However, adder and common lizard were recorded during surveys between 2008 and 2013 for the Wylfa Newydd Power Station and some of these records fall within the Order Limits and the 50 m buffer, as shown on Figure 1 and detailed in Annex E (Records HOR-1 to HOR-28).

5.1.6 Effects as a result of the Proposed Development and mitigation measures are detailed in Chapter 9, Ecology and Nature Conservation (Document 5.9). Further details on the mitigation measures are provided in the Biodiversity Mitigation Strategy (Document 7.7). Potential enhancement opportunities are detailed within the Enhancement Strategy (Document 7.13) which includes opportunities for enhancement of habitats that could in turn benefit reptiles.

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5.1.7 The behaviour of animals can be unpredictable and may not conform to standard patterns recorded in scientific literature. Thus, whilst the surveys provide a good indication of presence and abundance, they cannot predict with absolute certainty that reptiles will occur in apparently suitable locations or habitats, or that they will not occur in locations or habitats that appear unsuitable. In order to minimise the likelihood of adverse effects on reptile species as a result of construction works, all areas within the Order Limits containing suitable habitat for reptiles would be subject to the relevant level of mitigation set out within the Biodiversity Mitigation Strategy (Document 7.7). Reptiles are transient and, as they have been recorded within the study area, should be considered likely in other areas providing suitable habitat.

5.1.8 The mitigation proposed for reptiles would also protect and benefit the common amphibian species that were recorded in all survey areas except Area 3.2.

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6 References

Ref 1: Welsh Government. The Environment (Wales) Act 2016 Part 1 Interim Guidance https://www.biodiversitywales.org.uk/Environment-Wales-Act

Ref 2: Welsh Government (2016); Planning Policy Wales Edition 9 – November 2016. http://gov.wales/docs/desh/publications/161117planning-policy-wales-edition- 9-en.pdf

Ref 3: IACC and Gwynedd Council (2017); Anglesey and Gwynedd Joint Local Development Plan 2011-2026

Ref 4: ARUP (2013); Horizon Nuclear Power Wylfa Ltd. Wylfa New Nuclear Power Station, Reptile Survey Report 2012. 210623-02/REP/039.

Ref 5: ARUP (2013); Horizon Nuclear Power Wylfa Ltd. Wylfa New Nuclear Power Station, Reptile Survey Report 2013. 229516-00/REP/11 WYL-ARP-PAC-REP- 00028.

Ref 6: Avian Ecology (2016); Former Shell Tank Farm – Rhosgoch on behalf of The Conygar Investment Co. PLC. Reptile Report.

Ref 7: National Amphibian and Reptile Recording Scheme (NARRS) (2007); Reptile Habitat Guide.

Ref 8: Froglife (1999); Reptile Survey: an introduction to planning, conducting and interpreting surveys for snake and lizard conservation. Froglife Advice Sheet 10. Froglife.

Ref 9: Gent, A.H. and Gibson, S.D., eds (1998); Herpetofauna workers’ manual. Joint Nature Conservation Committee.

Websites http://www.anglesey.gov.uk/ Anglesey Council website http://biodiversitywales.org.uk/ Biodiversity Wales Partnership http://www.cofnod.org.uk/Home Cofnod website

North Wales Connection Project Environmental Statement Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report Document 5.9.2.9 Page 19 https://www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru Gwynedd Council website http://www.herpetofauna.co.uk/default.asp Reptiles & Amphibians of the UK http://www.legislation.gov.uk/anaw/2016/3/pdfs/anaw_20160003_en.pdf Environment (Wales) Act 2016 https://naturalresources.wales/guidance-and-advice/environmental-topics/wildlife- and-biodiversity/uk-protected-species/reptiles/?lang=en Natural Resources Wales (2017) Reptiles

North Wales Connection Project Environmental Statement Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report Document 5.9.2.9 Page 20

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North Wales Connection Project Environmental Statement Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report Document 5.9.2.9 Page 21 Figures

North Wales Connection Project Environmental Statement Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report Document 5.9.2.9 Page 22

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North Wales Connection Project NWC ROUTE LEGEND

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5 of 5

HOR-22 LEGEND

HOR-28 ORDER LIMITS HOR-19 !(!( !( 2KM BUFFER OF ORDER LIMITS HOR-3 to HOR-5 !(!( COF-1 SECTION CUTLINES 1 HOR-1 HOR-6 to "/ COFNOD DATA HOR-18 !( COF-2 ADDER !( HOR-2 HOR-20 !( "/ "/ HOR-21 !( "/ ADDER AND COMMON LIZARD !( HOR-27 COF-3 to COF-4 COF-5 "/ HOR-23 !( "/ COMMON LIZARD "/ SLOW-WORM HOR-24 to HOR-26 HORIZON SURVEY RESULTS 2 !( ADDER

!( COMMON LIZARD FORMER SHELL TANK FARM, RHOSGOCH SURVEY RESULTS #* COMMON LIZARD

SHE-1 #*

SECTION A

SECTION B NOTES

1: ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION SEARCH DATA PROVIDED BY COFNOD. DUE TO THE PRECISION OF THE GRID REFERENCE SUPPLIED TO COFNOD, SOME LOCATIONS OF THE SPECIES RECORDS ARE APPROXIMATE. 2: LOCATIONS OF HORIZON SURVEY RESULTS ARE APPROXIMATE

A 12/07/2018 ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT AB LS NL

Rev Date Description GIS Chk App

Scheme: NORTH WALES CONNECTION PROJECT

Document Number: 5.9.2.9

Document Title: FIGURE 1 REPTILE DATA SEARCH SECTION A

Creator: Date: Checker: Date: Approver: Date: 0 250 500 1,000 AB 12/07/2018 LS 12/07/2018 NL 12/07/2018 Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2018. Background Mapping information has been reproduced from the Ordnance Survey map by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The controller Document Type: Scale: Format: Sheets: Rev: Metres of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. ©Crown Copyright Ordnance Survey. National Grid Electricity - 100024241. National Grid Gas -100024886 FIGURE 1:32,000 A3 1 of 5 A

Document Path: F:\Proposal\3512\North Wales Connection - NG\GIS\02 Maps\Ecology\_ES Figs_DCO 2018\Baseline Reports\ECO_REPTILE_Fig1_REPTILE_DATA SEARCH__Plan_Series_20180712_AB.mxd NWC ROUTE LEGEND

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3 of 5 SHE-1 #* 4 of 5

SECTION A 5 of 5

SECTION B LEGEND ORDER LIMITS

2KM BUFFER OF ORDER LIMITS

SECTION CUTLINES

COFNOD DATA1 "/ ADDER "/ ADDER AND COMMON LIZARD "/ COMMON LIZARD "/ SLOW-WORM HORIZON SURVEY RESULTS 2 !( ADDER

!( COMMON LIZARD FORMER SHELL TANK FARM, RHOSGOCH SURVEY RESULTS #* COMMON LIZARD

NOTES

COF-6 "/ 1: ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION SEARCH DATA PROVIDED BY COFNOD. DUE TO THE PRECISION OF THE GRID REFERENCE SUPPLIED TO COFNOD, SOME LOCATIONS OF THE SPECIES RECORDS ARE APPROXIMATE. 2: LOCATIONS OF HORIZON SURVEY RESULTS ARE APPROXIMATE

A 12/07/2018 ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT AB LS NL

Rev Date Description GIS Chk App

Scheme: NORTH WALES CONNECTION PROJECT

Document Number: 5.9.2.9

Document Title: FIGURE 1 REPTILE DATA SEARCH SECTION B SECTION B C N O Creator: Date: Checker: Date: Approver: Date: TI C 0 250 500 1,000 AB 12/07/2018 LS 12/07/2018 NL 12/07/2018 Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2018. E Background Mapping information has been reproduced from the Ordnance Survey map by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The controller S Document Type: Scale: Format: Sheets: Rev: Metres of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. ©Crown Copyright Ordnance Survey. National Grid Electricity - 100024241. National Grid Gas -100024886 FIGURE 1:32,000 A3 2 of 5 A

Document Path: F:\Proposal\3512\North Wales Connection - NG\GIS\02 Maps\Ecology\_ES Figs_DCO 2018\Baseline Reports\ECO_REPTILE_Fig1_REPTILE_DATA SEARCH__Plan_Series_20180712_AB.mxd NWC ROUTE LEGEND

¯ 1 of 5

2 of 5 COF-6 "/ 3 of 5

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5 of 5

LEGEND ORDER LIMITS - OPTION A

2KM BUFFER OF ORDER LIMITS - OPTION A

SECTION CUTLINES

COFNOD DATA1 C SECTION B N O TI "/ ADDER C SE "/ ADDER AND COMMON LIZARD "/ COMMON LIZARD COF-7 "/ "/ SLOW-WORM COF-8 "/ HORIZON SURVEY RESULTS 2 !( ADDER

!( COMMON LIZARD "/ COF-9 FORMER SHELL TANK FARM, RHOSGOCH SURVEY RESULTS COF-10 #* COMMON LIZARD "/"/ "/ COF-11 "/ COF-12 to COF-13 COF-14

COF-15 to COF-23 "/"/"/ COF-24 "/

SECTION C NOTES

SECTION D 1: ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION SEARCH DATA PROVIDED BY COFNOD. DUE TO THE PRECISION OF THE GRID REFERENCE SUPPLIED TO COFNOD, SOME LOCATIONS OF THE SPECIES RECORDS ARE APPROXIMATE. 2: LOCATIONS OF HORIZON SURVEY RESULTS ARE APPROXIMATE

A 12/07/2018 ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT AB LS NL

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COF-25 "/

Scheme: NORTH WALES CONNECTION PROJECT

Document Number: 5.9.2.9

Document Title: FIGURE 1 REPTILE DATA SEARCH SECTION C OPTION A D N Creator: Date: Checker: Date: Approver: Date: IO 0 250 500T 1,000E AB 12/07/2018 LS 12/07/2018 NL 12/07/2018 Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2018. C E N Background Mapping information has been reproduced from the Ordnance Survey map by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The controller COF-27 to S IO Document Type: Scale: Format: Sheets: Rev: Metres T of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. ©Crown Copyright Ordnance Survey. National Grid Electricity - 100024241. National Grid Gas -100024886 "/ COF-26 C FIGURE 1:32,000 A3 3 of 5 Option A A COF-28 "/ SE Document Path: F:\Proposal\3512\North Wales Connection - NG\GIS\02 Maps\Ecology\_ES Figs_DCO 2018\Baseline Reports\ECO_REPTILE_Fig1_REPTILE_DATA SEARCH__Plan_Series_20180712_AB.mxd NWC ROUTE LEGEND

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LEGEND ORDER LIMITS - OPTION B

2KM BUFFER OF ORDER LIMITS - OPTION B

SECTION CUTLINES

COFNOD DATA1 C SECTION B N O TI "/ ADDER C SE "/ ADDER AND COMMON LIZARD "/ COMMON LIZARD COF-7 "/ "/ SLOW-WORM COF-8 "/ HORIZON SURVEY RESULTS 2 !( ADDER

!( COMMON LIZARD "/ COF-9 FORMER SHELL TANK FARM, RHOSGOCH SURVEY RESULTS COF-10 #* COMMON LIZARD "/"/ "/ COF-11 "/ COF-12 to COF-13 COF-14

COF-15 to COF-23 "/"/"/ COF-24 "/

SECTION C NOTES

A 12/07/2018 ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT AB LS NL

Rev Date Description GIS Chk App

COF-25 "/

Scheme: NORTH WALES CONNECTION PROJECT

Document Number: 5.9.2.9

Document Title: FIGURE 1 REPTILE DATA SEARCH SECTION C OPTION B D N Creator: Date: Checker: Date: Approver: Date: IO 0 250 500T 1,000E AB 12/07/2018 LS 12/07/2018 NL 12/07/2018 Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2018. C E N Background Mapping information has been reproduced from the Ordnance Survey map by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The controller COF-27 to S IO Document Type: Scale: Format: Sheets: Rev: Metres T of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. ©Crown Copyright Ordnance Survey. National Grid Electricity - 100024241. National Grid Gas -100024886 "/ COF-26 C FIGURE 1:32,000 A3 3 of 5 Option B A COF-28 "/ SE Document Path: F:\Proposal\3512\North Wales Connection - NG\GIS\02 Maps\Ecology\_ES Figs_DCO 2018\Baseline Reports\ECO_REPTILE_Fig1_REPTILE_DATA SEARCH__Plan_Series_20180712_AB.mxd NWC ROUTE LEGEND

COF-25 "/ ¯ 1 of 5

2 of 5

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COF-27 to 4 of 5 "/ COF-26 COF-28 "/ 5 of 5

SECTION D

SECTION C SECTION D LEGEND

E ORDER LIMITS - OPTION A N IO T 2KM BUFFER OF ORDER LIMITS - EC S OPTION A

SECTION CUTLINES "/ COF-29 COFNOD DATA1 "/ ADDER "/ ADDER AND COMMON LIZARD "/ COMMON LIZARD "/ SLOW-WORM HORIZON SURVEY RESULTS 2 !( ADDER

!( COMMON LIZARD FORMER SHELL TANK FARM, RHOSGOCH SURVEY RESULTS #* COMMON LIZARD

E N IO T C E S NOTES SECTION F 1: ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION SEARCH DATA PROVIDED BY COFNOD. DUE TO THE PRECISION OF THE GRID REFERENCE SUPPLIED TO COFNOD, SOME LOCATIONS OF THE SPECIES RECORDS ARE APPROXIMATE. 2: LOCATIONS OF HORIZON SURVEY RESULTS ARE APPROXIMATE

A 12/07/2018 ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT AB LS NL

Rev Date Description GIS Chk App

Scheme: NORTH WALES CONNECTION PROJECT

Document Number: 5.9.2.9

Document Title: FIGURE 1 REPTILE DATA SEARCH SECTION D & E OPTION A

Document Path: F:\Proposal\3512\North Wales Connection - NG\GIS\02 Maps\Ecology\_ES Figs_DCO 2018\Baseline Reports\ECO_REPTILE_Fig1_REPTILE_DATA SEARCH__Plan_Series_20180712_AB.mxd NWC ROUTE LEGEND

COF-25 "/ ¯ 1 of 5

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COF-27 to 4 of 5 "/ COF-26 COF-28 "/ 5 of 5

SECTION D

SECTION C SECTION D LEGEND

E ORDER LIMITS - OPTION B N IO T 2KM BUFFER OF ORDER LIMITS - EC S OPTION B

SECTION CUTLINES "/ COF-29 COFNOD DATA1 "/ ADDER "/ ADDER AND COMMON LIZARD "/ COMMON LIZARD "/ SLOW-WORM HORIZON SURVEY RESULTS 2 !( ADDER

!( COMMON LIZARD FORMER SHELL TANK FARM, RHOSGOCH SURVEY RESULTS #* COMMON LIZARD

A 12/07/2018 ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT AB LS NL

Rev Date Description GIS Chk App

Scheme: NORTH WALES CONNECTION PROJECT

Document Number: 5.9.2.9

Document Title: FIGURE 1 REPTILE DATA SEARCH SECTION D & E OPTION B

Document Path: F:\Proposal\3512\North Wales Connection - NG\GIS\02 Maps\Ecology\_ES Figs_DCO 2018\Baseline Reports\ECO_REPTILE_Fig1_REPTILE_DATA SEARCH__Plan_Series_20180712_AB.mxd NWC ROUTE LEGEND

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4 of 5

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LEGEND ORDER LIMITS

2KM BUFFER OF ORDER LIMITS

SECTION CUTLINES

COFNOD DATA1 "/ ADDER "/ ADDER AND COMMON LIZARD "/ COMMON LIZARD "/ SLOW-WORM HORIZON SURVEY RESULTS 2 !( ADDER

!( COMMON LIZARD FORMER SHELL TANK FARM, COF-30 "/ RHOSGOCH SURVEY RESULTS COF-31 "/ #* COMMON LIZARD

SECTION E

SECTION F

COF-32 "/ NOTES

A 12/07/2018 ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT AB LS NL

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Scheme: NORTH WALES CONNECTION PROJECT

Document Number: 5.9.2.9

Document Title: FIGURE 1 REPTILE DATA SEARCH SECTION F

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LEGEND ORDER LIMITS

50M BUFFER OF ORDER LIMITS

SECTION CUTLINES

APPROXIMATE HORIZON NUCLEAR POWER REPTILE SURVEY AREA REPTILE SURVEY AREAS

SURVEYED

SCOPED OUT

REPTILE SURVEY RESULTS

%, COMMON LIZARD

%, LIZARD SKIN

INCIDENTAL SIGHTINGS AREA 1 ^_ ADDER ^_ COMMON LIZARD ^_ GRASS SNAKE ^_ SLOW WORM

SECTION A

SECTION B 1 ^_ NOTES PLEASE REFER TO APPENDIX 9.3 PHASE 1 HABITAT SURVEY REPORT (DOCUMENT 5.9.2.3) FOR HABITAT CLASSIFICATION INFORMATION.

A 17/07/2018 ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT AB LS NL

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AREA 2

Scheme: NORTH WALES CONNECTION PROJECT

Document Number: 5.9.2.9

Document Title: FIGURE 2 REPTILE SURVEY AREAS SECTION A

Creator: Date: Checker: Date: Approver: Date: 0 250 500 1,000 AB 17/07/2018 LS 17/07/2018 NL 17/07/2018 Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2018. Background Mapping information has been reproduced from the Ordnance Survey map by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The controller Document Type: Scale: Format: Sheets: Rev: of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. ©Crown Copyright Ordnance Survey. National Grid Electricity - 100024241. National Grid Gas -100024886 Metres FIGURE 1:24,000 A3 1 of 6 A

Document Path: F:\Proposal\3512\North Wales Connection - NG\GIS\02 Maps\Ecology\_ES Figs_DCO 2018\Baseline Reports\ECO_REPTILE_Fig2_REPTILE_SURVEY_AREAS__Plan_Series_20180717_AB.mxd NWC ROUTE LEGEND ^_

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LEGEND

A ORDER LIMITS N O I T 50M BUFFER OF ORDER LIMITS C E S SECTION CUTLINES

APPROXIMATE HORIZON NUCLEAR POWER REPTILE SURVEY AREA REPTILE SURVEY AREAS

SURVEYED

SCOPED OUT

REPTILE SURVEY RESULTS

%, COMMON LIZARD

%, LIZARD SKIN

INCIDENTAL SIGHTINGS ^_ ADDER ^_ COMMON LIZARD ^_ GRASS SNAKE ^_ SLOW WORM

O I

C NOTES

E S PLEASE REFER TO APPENDIX 9.3 PHASE 1 HABITAT SURVEY REPORT (DOCUMENT 5.9.2.3) FOR HABITAT CLASSIFICATION INFORMATION.

SECTION C A 17/07/2018 ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT AB LS NL

Rev Date Description GIS Chk App

Scheme: NORTH WALES CONNECTION PROJECT

Document Number: 5.9.2.9

Document Title: FIGURE 2 REPTILE SURVEY AREAS SECTION B

Document Path: F:\Proposal\3512\North Wales Connection - NG\GIS\02 Maps\Ecology\_ES Figs_DCO 2018\Baseline Reports\ECO_REPTILE_Fig2_REPTILE_SURVEY_AREAS__Plan_Series_20180717_AB.mxd NWC ROUTE LEGEND

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LEGEND ORDER LIMITS - OPTION A

50M BUFFER OF ORDER LIMITS - OPTION A

C SECTION CUTLINES SECTION B N IO T APPROXIMATE HORIZON NUCLEAR C E S POWER REPTILE SURVEY AREA REPTILE SURVEY AREAS

SURVEYED AREA 3 SCOPED OUT

REPTILE SURVEY RESULTS %, COMMON LIZARD %, %, LIZARD SKIN

INCIDENTAL SIGHTINGS AREA 3.1 ^_ ADDER 2 ^_ COMMON LIZARD ^_ 4 ^_ GRASS SNAKE 3 ^_^_ SLOW WORM AREA 3.2 ^_

AREA 4

%,%, %,

C N O TI C E S

SECTION D NOTES PLEASE REFER TO APPENDIX 9.3 PHASE 1 HABITAT SURVEY REPORT (DOCUMENT 5.9.2.3) FOR HABITAT CLASSIFICATION INFORMATION.

A 17/07/2018 ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT AB LS NL

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AREA 5

Scheme: NORTH WALES CONNECTION PROJECT

Document Number: 5.9.2.9

Document Title: FIGURE 2 REPTILE SURVEY AREAS SECTION C OPTION A D N Creator: Date: Checker: Date: Approver: Date: IO 0 250 500T 1,000E AB 17/07/2018 LS 17/07/2018 NL 17/07/2018 Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2018. C N E O Background Mapping information has been reproduced from the Ordnance Survey map by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The controller S TI Document Type: Scale: Format: Sheets: Rev: of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. ©Crown Copyright Ordnance Survey. National Grid Electricity - 100024241. National Grid Gas -100024886 Metres C FIGURE 1:32,000 A3 3 of 6 Option A A SE Document Path: F:\Proposal\3512\North Wales Connection - NG\GIS\02 Maps\Ecology\_ES Figs_DCO 2018\Baseline Reports\ECO_REPTILE_Fig2_REPTILE_SURVEY_AREAS__Plan_Series_20180717_AB.mxd NWC ROUTE LEGEND

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LEGEND ORDER LIMITS - OPTION B

50M BUFFER OF ORDER LIMITS - OPTION B

C SECTION CUTLINES SECTION B N IO T APPROXIMATE HORIZON NUCLEAR C E S POWER REPTILE SURVEY AREA REPTILE SURVEY AREAS

SURVEYED AREA 3 SCOPED OUT

REPTILE SURVEY RESULTS %, COMMON LIZARD %, %, LIZARD SKIN

INCIDENTAL SIGHTINGS AREA 3.1 ^_ ADDER 2 ^_ COMMON LIZARD ^_ 4 ^_ GRASS SNAKE 3 ^_^_ SLOW WORM AREA 3.2 ^_

AREA 4

%,%, %,

C N O TI C E S

SECTION D NOTES PLEASE REFER TO APPENDIX 9.3 PHASE 1 HABITAT SURVEY REPORT (DOCUMENT 5.9.2.3) FOR HABITAT CLASSIFICATION INFORMATION.

A 17/07/2018 ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT AB LS NL

Rev Date Description GIS Chk App

AREA 5

Scheme: NORTH WALES CONNECTION PROJECT

Document Number: 5.9.2.9

Document Title: FIGURE 2 REPTILE SURVEY AREAS SECTION C OPTION B D N Creator: Date: Checker: Date: Approver: Date: IO 0 250 500T 1,000E AB 17/07/2018 LS 17/07/2018 NL 17/07/2018 Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2018. C N E O Background Mapping information has been reproduced from the Ordnance Survey map by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The controller S TI Document Type: Scale: Format: Sheets: Rev: of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. ©Crown Copyright Ordnance Survey. National Grid Electricity - 100024241. National Grid Gas -100024886 Metres C FIGURE 1:32,000 A3 3 of 6 Option B A SE Document Path: F:\Proposal\3512\North Wales Connection - NG\GIS\02 Maps\Ecology\_ES Figs_DCO 2018\Baseline Reports\ECO_REPTILE_Fig2_REPTILE_SURVEY_AREAS__Plan_Series_20180717_AB.mxd NWC ROUTE LEGEND

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LEGEND ORDER LIMITS - OPTION A

D 50M BUFFER OF ORDER LIMITS - N OPTION A O I T

SECTION C C SECTION CUTLINES E S APPROXIMATE HORIZON NUCLEAR POWER REPTILE SURVEY AREA REPTILE SURVEY AREAS

SURVEYED

SCOPED OUT

REPTILE SURVEY RESULTS %, COMMON LIZARD

%, LIZARD SKIN

AREA 7.1 INCIDENTAL SIGHTINGS AREA 7.2 ^_ ADDER ^_ COMMON LIZARD ^_ GRASS SNAKE

SLOW WORM E ^_ N SECTION D IO T C E S

AREA 8 NOTES PLEASE REFER TO APPENDIX 9.3 PHASE 1 HABITAT SURVEY REPORT (DOCUMENT 5.9.2.3) FOR HABITAT CLASSIFICATION INFORMATION.

A 17/07/2018 ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT AB LS NL

Rev Date Description GIS Chk App

Scheme: NORTH WALES CONNECTION PROJECT

Document Number: 5.9.2.9

Document Title: FIGURE 2 REPTILE SURVEY AREAS SECTION D OPTION A

Document Path: F:\Proposal\3512\North Wales Connection - NG\GIS\02 Maps\Ecology\_ES Figs_DCO 2018\Baseline Reports\ECO_REPTILE_Fig2_REPTILE_SURVEY_AREAS__Plan_Series_20180717_AB.mxd NWC ROUTE LEGEND

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LEGEND ORDER LIMITS - OPTION B

D 50M BUFFER OF ORDER LIMITS - N OPTION B O I T

SECTION C C SECTION CUTLINES E S APPROXIMATE HORIZON NUCLEAR POWER REPTILE SURVEY AREA REPTILE SURVEY AREAS

SURVEYED

SCOPED OUT

REPTILE SURVEY RESULTS %, COMMON LIZARD

%, LIZARD SKIN

AREA 7.1 INCIDENTAL SIGHTINGS AREA 7.2 ^_ ADDER ^_ COMMON LIZARD ^_ GRASS SNAKE

SLOW WORM E ^_ N SECTION D IO T C E S

AREA 8 NOTES PLEASE REFER TO APPENDIX 9.3 PHASE 1 HABITAT SURVEY REPORT (DOCUMENT 5.9.2.3) FOR HABITAT CLASSIFICATION INFORMATION.

A 17/07/2018 ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT AB LS NL

Rev Date Description GIS Chk App

Scheme: NORTH WALES CONNECTION PROJECT

Document Number: 5.9.2.9

Document Title: FIGURE 2 REPTILE SURVEY AREAS SECTION D OPTION B

Document Path: F:\Proposal\3512\North Wales Connection - NG\GIS\02 Maps\Ecology\_ES Figs_DCO 2018\Baseline Reports\ECO_REPTILE_Fig2_REPTILE_SURVEY_AREAS__Plan_Series_20180717_AB.mxd NWC ROUTE LEGEND

¯ 1 of 6

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LEGEND ORDER LIMITS

50M BUFFER OF ORDER LIMITS

SECTION CUTLINES

D APPROXIMATE HORIZON NUCLEAR N POWER REPTILE SURVEY AREA IO T C REPTILE SURVEY AREAS E S SURVEYED

SECTION E SCOPED OUT

REPTILE SURVEY RESULTS

%, COMMON LIZARD

%, LIZARD SKIN

INCIDENTAL SIGHTINGS ^_ ADDER ^_ COMMON LIZARD ^_ GRASS SNAKE ^_ SLOW WORM

AREA 9

NOTES PLEASE REFER TO APPENDIX 9.3 PHASE 1 HABITAT SURVEY REPORT (DOCUMENT 5.9.2.3) FOR HABITAT CLASSIFICATION INFORMATION.

A 17/07/2018 ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT AB LS NL

Rev Date Description GIS Chk App

Scheme: NORTH WALES CONNECTION PROJECT

Document Number: 5.9.2.9

Document Title: FIGURE 2 REPTILE SURVEY AREAS SECTION E SECTION E F N O Creator: Date: Checker: Date: Approver: Date: TI C 0 250 500 1,000 AB 17/07/2018 LS 17/07/2018 NL 17/07/2018 Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2018. SE Background Mapping information has been reproduced from the Ordnance Survey map by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The controller Document Type: Scale: Format: Sheets: Rev: of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. ©Crown Copyright Ordnance Survey. National Grid Electricity - 100024241. National Grid Gas -100024886 Metres FIGURE 1:20,000 A3 5 of 6 A

Document Path: F:\Proposal\3512\North Wales Connection - NG\GIS\02 Maps\Ecology\_ES Figs_DCO 2018\Baseline Reports\ECO_REPTILE_Fig2_REPTILE_SURVEY_AREAS__Plan_Series_20180717_AB.mxd NWC ROUTE LEGEND

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50M BUFFER OF ORDER LIMITS

SECTION CUTLINES

APPROXIMATE HORIZON NUCLEAR POWER REPTILE SURVEY AREA REPTILE SURVEY AREAS

SURVEYED SECTION E SCOPED OUT

SECTION F REPTILE SURVEY RESULTS

%, COMMON LIZARD

%, LIZARD SKIN

INCIDENTAL SIGHTINGS ^_ ADDER ^_ COMMON LIZARD ^_ GRASS SNAKE ^_ SLOW WORM

5 ^_ AREA 10 AREA 6.3

AREA 6.2

AREA 6.4 %,%, %, %, %,

AREA 6.1 ^_ 6 NOTES PLEASE REFER TO APPENDIX 9.3 PHASE 1 HABITAT SURVEY REPORT (DOCUMENT 5.9.2.3) FOR HABITAT CLASSIFICATION INFORMATION.

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AREA 6.5

Scheme: NORTH WALES CONNECTION PROJECT

Document Number: 5.9.2.9

Document Title: FIGURE 2 REPTILE SURVEY AREAS SECTION F

LEGEND ORDER LIMITS

50M BUFFER OF ORDER LIMITS

SECTION CUTLINES

REPTILE SURVEY AREAS

SURVEYED

REPTILE SURVEY RESULTS %, COMMON LIZARD %, LIZARD SKIN INCIDENTAL SIGHTINGS ^_ ADDER ^_ COMMON LIZARD ^_ GRASS SNAKE SLOW WORM AREA 1 ^_

AREA 1 - 30 TILES

NO REPTILES FOUND

COMMON TOAD RECORDED

A 12/07/2018 ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT AB LS NL

Rev Date Description GIS Chk App

Scheme: NORTH WALES CONNECTION PROJECT

Document Number: 5.9.2.9

Document Title: FIGURE 3 REPTILE SURVEY RESULTS - AREA 1 SECTION A

Creator: Date: Checker: Date: Approver: Date: 0 25 50 100 AB 12/07/2018 LS 12/07/2018 NL 12/07/2018 Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2018. Background Mapping information has been reproduced from the Ordnance Survey map by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The controller Document Type: Scale: Format: Sheets: Rev: of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. ©Crown Copyright Ordnance Survey. National Grid Electricity - 100024241. National Grid Gas -100024886 Metres FIGURE 1:2,500 A3 1 of 7 A

Document Path: F:\Proposal\3512\North Wales Connection - NG\GIS\02 Maps\Ecology\_ES Figs_DCO 2018\Baseline Reports\ECO_REPTILE_Fig3_REPTILE_SURVEY_RESULTS__Plan_Series_20180712_AB.mxd ¯ NWC ROUTE LEGEND

AREA 3 - 60 TILES LEGEND ORDER LIMITS 01/06/2017 - COMMON LIZARD 50M BUFFER OF ORDER LIMITS COMMON TOAD, COMMON FROG AND COMMON SHREW RECORDED SECTION CUTLINES

REPTILE SURVEY AREAS

AREA 3 SURVEYED

REPTILE SURVEY RESULTS %, COMMON LIZARD %, LIZARD SKIN INCIDENTAL SIGHTINGS ^_ ADDER ^_ COMMON LIZARD ^_ GRASS SNAKE ^_ SLOW WORM

A 12/07/2018 ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT AB LS NL

Rev Date Description GIS Chk App

Scheme: NORTH WALES CONNECTION PROJECT

Document Number: 5.9.2.9

Document Title: FIGURE 3 REPTILE SURVEY RESULTS - AREA 3 SECTION C

Creator: Date: Checker: Date: Approver: Date: 0 25 50 100 AB 12/07/2018 LS 12/07/2018 NL 12/07/2018 Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2018. AREA Background Mapping information has been reproduced from the Ordnance Survey map by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The controller Document Type: Scale: Format: Sheets: Rev: of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. ©Crown Copyright Ordnance Survey. National Grid Electricity - 100024241. National Grid Gas -100024886 3.1 Metres FIGURE 1:5,000 A3 2 of 7 A

AREA 3.1 - 10 TILES

AREA 3.1 NO REPTILES FOUND

COMMON TOAD AND COMMON FROG RECORDED LEGEND ORDER LIMITS

50M BUFFER OF ORDER LIMITS

SECTION CUTLINES

REPTILE SURVEY AREAS

SURVEYED

REPTILE SURVEY RESULTS %, COMMON LIZARD %, LIZARD SKIN INCIDENTAL SIGHTINGS ^_ ADDER 2 ^_ COMMON LIZARD ^_ ^_ GRASS SNAKE ^_ SLOW WORM

AREA 3.2 - 10 TILES AREA 3.2 NO REPTILES FOUND

NO OTHER SPECIES RECORDED

A 12/07/2018 ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT AB LS NL

Rev Date Description GIS Chk App

Scheme: NORTH WALES CONNECTION PROJECT

Document Number: 5.9.2.9

Document Title: FIGURE 3 REPTILE SURVEY RESULTS - AREA 3.1 & 3.2 SECTION C

AREA 4 - 60 TILES

05/04/2017 - TWO MALE COMMON LIZARDS AND SEGMENT OF LIZARD SKIN 01/06/2017 - ADULT FEMALE COMMON LIZARD LEGEND (POSSIBLY GRAVID) AND ADULT MALE COMMON LIZARD ORDER LIMITS COMMON TOAD, COMMON FROG AND COMMON 50M BUFFER OF ORDER LIMITS SHREW RECORDED SECTION CUTLINES

REPTILE SURVEY AREAS

SURVEYED

REPTILE SURVEY RESULTS %, COMMON LIZARD %, LIZARD SKIN INCIDENTAL SIGHTINGS %, ^_ ADDER ^_ COMMON LIZARD ^_ GRASS SNAKE %, ^_ SLOW WORM

AREA 4

%, %,

A 12/07/2018 ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT AB LS NL

Rev Date Description GIS Chk App

Scheme: NORTH WALES CONNECTION PROJECT

Document Number: 5.9.2.9

Document Title: FIGURE 3 REPTILE SURVEY RESULTS - AREA 4 SECTION C

LEGEND ORDER LIMITS

50M BUFFER OF ORDER LIMITS

SECTION CUTLINES

REPTILE SURVEY AREAS

SURVEYED

REPTILE SURVEY RESULTS %, COMMON LIZARD %, LIZARD SKIN AREA 7.2 - 18 TILES INCIDENTAL SIGHTINGS NO REPTILES FOUND ^_ ADDER COMMON TOAD RECORDED ^_ COMMON LIZARD ^_ GRASS SNAKE ^_ SLOW WORM

AREA 7.2

A 12/07/2018 ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT AB LS NL

Rev Date Description GIS Chk App

Scheme: NORTH WALES CONNECTION PROJECT

Document Number: 5.9.2.9

Document Title: FIGURE 3 REPTILE SURVEY RESULTS - AREA 7.2 SECTION D

LEGEND ORDER LIMITS

50M BUFFER OF ORDER LIMITS

SECTION CUTLINES

REPTILE SURVEY AREAS

SURVEYED

REPTILE SURVEY RESULTS %, COMMON LIZARD %, LIZARD SKIN INCIDENTAL SIGHTINGS ^_ ADDER ^_ COMMON LIZARD ^_ GRASS SNAKE ^_ SLOW WORM AREA 8

AREA 8 - 15 TILES

NO REPTILES FOUND

COMMON TOAD AND COMMON FROG RECORDED

A 12/07/2018 ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT AB LS NL

Rev Date Description GIS Chk App

Scheme: NORTH WALES CONNECTION PROJECT SECTION D

Document Number: 5.9.2.9

Document Title: E FIGURE 3 N REPTILE SURVEY RESULTS - AREA 8 IO SECTION D T C E Creator: Date: Checker: Date: Approver: Date: 0 25 50 S 100 AB 12/07/2018 LS 12/07/2018 NL 12/07/2018 Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2018. Background Mapping information has been reproduced from the Ordnance Survey map by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The controller Document Type: Scale: Format: Sheets: Rev: of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. ©Crown Copyright Ordnance Survey. National Grid Electricity - 100024241. National Grid Gas -100024886 Metres FIGURE 1:2,500 A3 6 of 7 A

NO REPTILES FOUND AREA 6.3 COMMON TOAD, COMMON FROG AND PALMATE NEWT RECORDED

AREA 6.2 - 40 TILES

21/06/2016 - ADULT COMMON LIZARD AND ADULT FEMALE COMMON LIZARD 20/09/2016 COMMON LIZARD LEGEND COMMON TOAD AND COMMON FROG RECORDED ORDER LIMITS

50M BUFFER OF ORDER LIMITS

SECTION CUTLINES

REPTILE SURVEY AREAS

AREA 6.4 - 10 TILES SURVEYED

NO REPTILES FOUND %, REPTILE SURVEY RESULTS %, COMMON TOAD RECORDED %, COMMON LIZARD AREA 6.2 %, LIZARD SKIN AREA 6.4 %, INCIDENTAL SIGHTINGS ^_ ADDER ^_ COMMON LIZARD AREA 6.1 %, ^_ GRASS SNAKE ^_ SLOW WORM %,

AREA 6.1 - 55 TILES ^_ 6 21/06/2016 - SUB-ADULT COMON LIZARD 27/06/2017 - ADULT FEMALE COMMON LIZARD

COMMON TOAD, COMMON FROG, PALMATE NEWT RECORDED

A 12/07/2018 ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT AB LS NL

Rev Date Description GIS Chk App

AREA 6.5 - 40 TILES AREA 6.5 Scheme: NO REPTILES FOUND NORTH WALES CONNECTION PROJECT

Document Number: COMMON TOAD AND COMMON 5.9.2.9 FROG RECORDED Document Title: FIGURE 3 REPTILE SURVEY RESULTS - AREA 6.1 TO 6.5 SECTION E

Annex A: Areas Scoped In and Out

The survey areas scoped in and out for reptile surveys (Refer to Figure 2 for their locations).

Areas Scoped In and Out Survey Areas

Scoped In Area Date(s) Surveyed Scoped Out Areas Date Scoped Out

Area 1 2016 and 2017 Area 2 2016 Area 3 2016 and 2017 Area 5 2016 Area 3.1 2017 Area 7.1 2017 Area 3.2 2017 Area 9 2017 Area 4 2016 and 2017 Area 10 2017 Area 6.1 2016 and 2017 Area 6.2 2016 and 2017 Area 6.3 2016 and 2017 Area 6.4 2017 Area 6.5 2017 Area 7.2 2017 Area 8 2017

North Wales Connection Project Environmental Statement Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report Document 5.9.2.9 Page 24

Annex B: Habitat Descriptions for Reptile Survey Areas and Areas Scoped Out Habitat descriptions of the 12 survey areas identified to have potential to support reptiles and the five areas scoped out from further survey. The proposed Wylfa Newydd Power Station has also been included in the table due to the presence of reptile records within the Order Limits and 50 m buffer. Survey areas are shown on Figure 2.

Scoped In

Areas Section / Area No. of Plate Scoped Habitat Description Location (ha) Refugia Ref. In

Fourteen areas were surveyed within the Horizon study area in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013. Six of these survey areas fall within Wylfa the Order Limits plus 50 m Newydd Section buffer. Habitats present N/A N/A N/A (Horizon A/ Wylfa included a mixture of woodland, data) managed and un-managed grasslands, scrub, ruderal, ditches and rocky outcrops (Ref 4). Habitat present comprised mainly of two fields of long, poor semi-improved grassland that was not heavily grazed, rush Section patches were present in Area 1 A/ 1.34 30 1 localised areas. The field Tregele boundaries mostly comprised defunct hedgerows providing both cover from predators and basking areas.

Area 3 Section Crosses partially into Anglesey 8.07 60 3 C/ Capel Fens SAC which has been

North Wales Connection Project Environmental Statement Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report Document 5.9.2.9 Page 25

Areas Section / Area No. of Plate Scoped Habitat Description Location (ha) Refugia Ref. In

Coch characterised to include rush- dominated pasture, stands of saw sedge (Cladium mariscus), alkaline fen meadow and mire plant communities. Comprised compartments of grazed improved grassland, separated by species rich hedgerows. Stands of bramble (Rubus sp.) and gorse (Ulex europaeus) were present growing between rocky outcrops, these isolated areas and the bordering hedgerows provided good habitat for reptiles to bask, forage and shelter from predators. The southernmost compartment of this survey area was a non-grazed area of thick scrub stands dominated by willow (Salix sp.) and brambles separated by pathways. Crosses partially into Anglesey Fens SAC which has been characterised to include rush- dominated pasture, stands of saw sedge, alkaline fen meadow and mire plant communities. Section The habitat in this survey area Area 3.1 C/ Capel 0.60 10 4 mainly comprised stands of Coch willow and hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) interspersed with low grazed grassland. Areas of scattered scrub provided good areas for reptiles to bask, forage and shelter from predators.

Area 3.2 Section Adjacent to Anglesey Fens 0.72 10 5 C/ Capel SAC, which has been

North Wales Connection Project Environmental Statement Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report Document 5.9.2.9 Page 26

Areas Section / Area No. of Plate Scoped Habitat Description Location (ha) Refugia Ref. In

Coch characterised to include rush- dominated pasture, stands of saw sedge, alkaline fen meadow and mire plant communities. Comprised a large rocky outcrop in the middle of a grazed field. Areas of scattered scrub provided an area for reptiles to bask with shelter from predators nearby. This area comprised a mixture of un-grazed grassland habitats, a rocky outcrop and areas of brash and wood bordered by Section hedgerows to all but the Area 4 C/ Capel 5.73 60 6 northern perimeter. These Coch habitats provided a large area of good foraging habitat for reptiles with safe basking areas along the bordering hedgerows. Bordered by plantation woodland on all but the northern perimeter, this area formed a complex mosaic of willow carr, tall ruderal, semi-improved grassland and bramble scrub. Section Area 6.1 This habitat provided a diverse 1.82 55 8 F/ Pentir area for basking opportunities, foraging habitat and shelter from predators through a variety of vegetation heights, diverse invertebrate biodiversity and dense vegetation. A large area of undisturbed bracken underneath the existing Section Area 6.2 1.06 40 9 F/ Pentir pylons and OHL. The bracken provided good cover from predators and foraging

North Wales Connection Project Environmental Statement Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report Document 5.9.2.9 Page 27

Areas Section / Area No. of Plate Scoped Habitat Description Location (ha) Refugia Ref. In

opportunities for reptiles, and basking areas where there were gaps in the vegetation. Predominantly a grazed sheep field with stands of scrub that Section Area 6.3 provided suitable areas for 1.25 15 - F/ Pentir reptiles to forage and cover from predators. Mosaic habitat of tall ruderal species, scrub and undisturbed improved grassland with large piles of stone rubble. This habitat provided a diverse area Section for basking opportunities – in Area 6.4 0.61 10 10 F/ Pentir particular the rubble piles, foraging habitat and shelter from predators through a variety of vegetation heights, diverse invertebrate biodiversity and dense vegetation. Large area of scattered gorse scrub interspersed with grazed short grass and stone boulders. Section Area 6.5 This mosaic provided good 5.37 40 11 F/ Pentir cover, foraging and basking opportunities for reptiles, notably from the boulders. Mosaic of woodland edge, scrub, bramble and rough grassland habitats which Section provided good cover and Area 7.2 D/ basking opportunities for 0.20 18 13 Llangefni reptiles. The isolation of this area to other suitable habitats in adjacent areas may reduce its suitability.

Area 8 Section The habitat comprised mainly of 1.70 15 14

North Wales Connection Project Environmental Statement Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report Document 5.9.2.9 Page 28

Areas Section / Area No. of Plate Scoped Habitat Description Location (ha) Refugia Ref. In

D/ an area of thick rushes at the Llangefni edge of a sheep grazed field. The rushes bordered a steam with dense vegetation and overhanging trees that provide good cover, foraging and basking opportunities.

Scoped Out

Areas Section / Habitat Description/Reason Area No. of Plate Scoped Location for Scoping Out (ha) Refugia Ref. Out (N/A)

The habitat was deemed 2.73 - 2 unsuitable for reptiles, as it comprised two heavily grazed fields (cattle were present at the Section B/ Area 2 time of scoping visit) with short Rhosgoch improved grassland and a small isolated areas of rush. The surrounding habitat was also poor and lacked connectivity. A small area of potentially 2.22 - 7 suitable reptile habitat exists; however, this was surrounded Section C/ Area 5 by unsuitable, grazed improved Talwrn grassland which reduced the likelihood of reptiles being present due to isolation. An enclosed area of woodland 0.72 - 12 with no suitable basking areas Area Section D/ or ground cover for shelter 7.1 Llangefni during winter, area was surrounded by improved grassland containing livestock.

North Wales Connection Project Environmental Statement Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report Document 5.9.2.9 Page 29

Areas Section / Habitat Description/Reason Area No. of Plate Scoped Location for Scoping Out (ha) Refugia Ref. Out (N/A)

Predominantly improved 5.2 - 15 grassland for livestock grazing with a small area of marshy Section F/ grassland. This area was Area 9 Menai scoped due to the permanent land-take that is required at this location for the Braint THH and CSEC. Predominantly improved 5.83 - 16 grassland for livestock grazing with a small area of marshy Section F/ grassland. This area was Area 10 Pentir scoped due to the permanent land-take that is required at this location for the Tŷ Fodol THH and CSEC.

North Wales Connection Project Environmental Statement Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report Document 5.9.2.9 Page 30

Annex C: Basic Evaluation of Population Size and Importance of Reptiles Basic evaluation of the population size and importance of reptiles based on peak adult count as stated by Froglife 1999 (Ref 8).

Figures refer to the maximum number of adults seen by observation and/or under tiles (placed at a density of up to 10/hectare), by one person in one day (Froglife, 1999, Ref 8).

Species Low Population Good (Medium) Exceptional Population (High) Population Score 1 Score 2 Score 3

Adder <5 5-10 >10 Grass snake <5 5-10 >10 Common lizard <5 5-20 >20 Slow-worm <5 5-20 >20

North Wales Connection Project Environmental Statement Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report Document 5.9.2.9 Page 31

Annex D: Reptile Survey Conditions

Log of reptile survey conditions, including date, weather and temperature during each survey. Green highlighted rows are when reptiles (common lizard) were found during surveys.

Temp. Area Visit Weather Range Date Time Ref. No. Conditions During Survey ˚C

08:30 – Wet ground, dry 1 24/06/2016 14 09:30 weather 07:30 – Light breeze, 2 20/09/2016 08:30 cloudy/sunny 12-15 intervals 09:30 – Light breeze, some 3 21/09/2016 13-16 10:30 cloud 10:30 – Light wind, Not 4 29/09/2016 11:15 sunny/cloudy recorded intervals, no rain 15:00 – 1 5 03/10/2016 Dry, sunny 14 15:30 17:30 – Slightly overcast, 6 04/10/2016 17 18:00 light wind Not 7 12/10/2016 Clear, light wind 14-15 recorded 11:20 – 8 04/04/2017 Dry, partly sunny 11 11:50 10:00 – Warm, dry, light 9 30/05/2017 18 10:30 breeze 10 07/06/2017 07:45 – Cloudy, dry 12-13

North Wales Connection Project Environmental Statement Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report Document 5.9.2.9 Page 32

Temp. Area Visit Weather Range Date Time Ref. No. Conditions During Survey ˚C

08:30 09:00 – Dry conditions, but 1 06/06/2016 20-21 11:00 ground damp 08:30 – Dry conditions, but 2 23/06/2016 09:45 ground damp in 16-18 places 07:30 – 3 21/09/2016 Sunny, dry 9-12 10:00 07:30 – 4 22/09/2016 Sunny, dry 10-13 09:30 12:30 – Light wind, Not 5 29/09/2016 14:20 sunny/cloudy recorded 3 intervals, no rain 09:20 – 6 04/10/2016 Sunny, light wind 12-13 10:40 15:40 – 7 06/10/2016 Clear, wind 15 17:00 11:20 – 8 05/04/2017 Dry, partly sunny 11 12:10 09:10 – Partly sunny, dry, 9 01/06/2017 17 10:30 windy 08:15 – Sunny and warm, 10 07/06/2017 16-18 10:15 calm 10:50 – Mostly cloudy, light 1 01/06/2017 17 11:05 wind, dry 10:25 – Sunny and warm, 2 07/06/2017 18 10:40 no wind 3.1 08:25 – Sunny with high 3 14/06/2017 15-16 08:40 cloud, light wind Subsequent surveys cancelled and tiles collected due to trampling by cows.

North Wales Connection Project Environmental Statement Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report Document 5.9.2.9 Page 33

Temp. Area Visit Weather Range Date Time Ref. No. Conditions During Survey ˚C

11:10 – Mostly cloudy, light 1 01/06/2017 16 11:20 wind, dry 10:45 – Sunny and warm, 2 07/06/2017 18 11:00 calm 3.2 08:45 – Sunny with high 3 14/06/2017 16 09:00 cloud, light wind Subsequent surveys cancelled and tiles collected due to trampling by cows. 16:20 – Dry, but ground 1 06/06/2016 17:50 quite damp in 18-22 places 16:40 – Damp in places, dry 2 20/06/2016 17:40 in others - dry 18 weather 16:40 – Overcast, light rain 3 27/06/2016 16 17:20 at end of survey Not Damp, cloud 90%, 4 15/09/2016 16 recorded no wind 09:20 – Overcast cloud 5 21/09/2016 17-19 10:30 cover dry 4 14:55 – Light wind, Not 6 29/09/2016 15:55 sunny/cloudy recorded intervals, no rain 16:20 - 7 04/102016 Sunny, dry 16 17:00 16:50 – 8 06/10/2016 Clear, light wind 16 17:30 13:20 – 9 05/04/2017 Dry, partly cloudy 11 14:40 12:10 – Partly sunny, dry, 10 01/06/2017 17 13:45 windy

11 07/06/2017 11:15 – Sunny, warm, no 19-20

North Wales Connection Project Environmental Statement Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report Document 5.9.2.9 Page 34

Temp. Area Visit Weather Range Date Time Ref. No. Conditions During Survey ˚C

12:15 wind 08:50 – Damp ground, dry 1 21/06/2016 14-16 11:00 weather 08:30 – Dry, sunny, cloud 2 20/09/2016 10:00 cover 10%, humidity 12-16 (80%). 10:45 – Dry, humidity 86%, 3 22/09/2016 16-17 11:45 cloud cover 25% 09:45 – 4 05/10/2016 Un-recorded 16 10:45 Not Clear, no cloud, no 5 06/10/2016 13 recorded wind, ground damp 16:20 – Mostly cloudy, 6 01/06/2017 20 17:10 windy, dry 18:30 – Cloudy, warm, 7 08/06/2017 19:15 immediately after 14-16 6.1 rain 08:50 – Overcast with sunny 8 13/06/2017 13 09:30 spells, light wind 14:50 – 9 20/06/2017 Sunny, dry 19 15:40 13:45 – 10 22/06/2017 Sunny, dry 16 14:10 19:10 – Overcast, damp, 12 27/06/2017 15 19:50 rain prior to survey 12:15 – Mild, overcast, light 13 04/07/2017 12:55 drizzle before 17 survey 11:30 – Cloud cover 20%, 14 20/07/2017 12:30 light wind, no rain, 14-16 rain previous night

6.2 1 21/06/2016 08:50 – Damp ground, dry 14-16

North Wales Connection Project Environmental Statement Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report Document 5.9.2.9 Page 35

Temp. Area Visit Weather Range Date Time Ref. No. Conditions During Survey ˚C

11:00 weather 10:05 – Dry, sunny, cloud 2 20/09/2016 11:20 cover 70%, humidity 16-17 75%. 10:00 – Dry, humidity (70%), 3 22/09/2016 16 10:40 no cloud cover 11:30 – 4 05/10/2016 Un-recorded 16 12:10 Not Clear, no cloud, no 5 06/10/2016 13 recorded wind, ground damp Not Cloud cover 100%, 6 29/03/2017 13 recorded light breeze. 11:30 – Cloud cover 90%, 7 21/09/2017 12:10 light breeze, rain 14 previous night 08:50 – Damp ground, dry 1 21/06/2016 14-16 11:00 weather 11:55 – Dry, sunny, cloud 2 20/09/2016 12:30 cover 70%, humidity 18 65%. 09:30 – Dry, humidity (85%), 3 22/09/2016 13 6.3 09:50 no cloud cover Not Clear, no cloud, no 4 06/10/2016 13 recorded wind, ground damp 09:30 – 100% cloud cover, 5 07/10/2016 14 09:50 dry Not Cloud cover 100%, 6 29/03/2017 12 recorded light breeze. Subsequent visits cancelled due to removal from project design. 17:10 – Mostly cloudy, dry, 6.4 1 01/06/2017 19 17:25 windy

North Wales Connection Project Environmental Statement Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report Document 5.9.2.9 Page 36

Temp. Area Visit Weather Range Date Time Ref. No. Conditions During Survey ˚C

17:50 – Cloudy, warm, 2 08/06/2017 18:10 immediately after 14-16 rain 09:30 – Overcast, sunny 3 13/06/2017 19 09:50 spells, wind 15:40 – 4 20/06/2017 Sunny, dry 16 16:05 10:20 – 5 22/06/2017 Sunny, dry 15-16 10:40 19:00 – Rained during day, 6 27/06/2017 15 19:15 dry during survey 12:00 – Overcast, mild, 7 04/07/2017 12:15 intermittent drizzle 16 between surveys. 12:40 – Ground damp in 8 20/07/2017 12:55 places, light breeze, 16 cloud cover 25% 15:45 – Mostly sunny, dry, 1 01/06/2017 21 16:15 windy 18:15 – Cloudy, warm, 2 08/06/2017 18:35 immediately after 14-16 rain 10:05 – Overcast with sunny 3 13/06/2017 13 10:40 spells, wind 6.5 13:45 – 4 20/06/2017 Sunny, dry 19 14:15 14:10 – 5 22/06/2017 Sunny, dry 19 14:55 20:00 – Rained during day, 6 27/06/2017 20:15 overcast, dry during 15 survey

7 04/07/2017 10:45 – Overcast following 15

North Wales Connection Project Environmental Statement Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report Document 5.9.2.9 Page 37

Temp. Area Visit Weather Range Date Time Ref. No. Conditions During Survey ˚C

11:10 light drizzle 13:00 – Cloud cover 25%, 8 20/07/2017 13:20 light wind, no rain, 16 rain previous night 19:10 – Sunny, calm, rain 1 31/05/2017 16 19:20 prior to survey Not Sunny and warm, 2 07/06/2017 19 recorded calm 14:40 – Cloudy, sunny 3 13/06/2017 15 14:50 spells, light wind 07:00 – 4 20/06/2017 Sunny, calm, dry 16 7.2 07:15 11:50 – 5 22/06/2017 Light drizzle 16 12:00 18:10 – Clear warm, rained 6 27/06/2017 16 18:25 previous night 14:00 – Windy, sunny 7 03/08/2017 14:15 following rain earlier 17 in the morning 08:15 – Sunny spells, 1 01/06/2017 08:35 humid, moderate 17 windy 12:45 – Dry, windy, partly 2 06/06/2017 14 13:10 cloud 15:00 – Cloudy, occasional 3 13/06/2017 15 8 15:20 sunshine, light wind 18:50 – 4 19/06/2017 Sunny, dry 18 19:10 13:15 – 5 21/06/2017 Sunny, dry 27 13:30 16:20 – 6 26/06/2017 Damp in places, 16 16:40 rained previous

North Wales Connection Project Environmental Statement Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report Document 5.9.2.9 Page 38

Temp. Area Visit Weather Range Date Time Ref. No. Conditions During Survey ˚C

night 13:40 – Mild, breezy, sunny 7 04/07/2017 13:50 intervals, rain in 17 morning 10:15 – Cloud cover 60%, 10:45 light wind, humid 8 20/07/2017 14 with rain previous night

North Wales Connection Project Environmental Statement Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report Document 5.9.2.9 Page 39 Annex E: Desk Study Data

Desk study data of reptile records over the last ten years within 2 km of the Order Limits; refer to Figure 1.

Due to the format in which the data has been supplied from Cofnod, some of the records for the same location have been grouped together over a period of years and therefore records prior to 2007 may be included. These are summarised in the table below.

Key: Horizon Nuclear Power (HOR); Cofnod (COF); Shell Tank Farm (SHE).

Ref No. Section Approx. Scientific Common Year Details on Dist to name name Figure Order 1 Limits (m)

HOR-1 A 1157 Zootoca Common 2013 1 common lizard vivipara lizard HOR-2 A 1152 Zootoca Common 2013 1 common lizard vivipara lizard HOR-3 A 47 Zootoca Common 2012 1 male common vivipara lizard lizard HOR-4 A 47 Zootoca Common 2013 1 female common vivipara lizard lizard HOR-5 A 47 Zootoca Common 2013 1 common lizard vivipara lizard HOR-6 A 56 Vipera Adder 2008 Adders recorded berus during decommissioning surveys HOR-7 A 56 Vipera Adder 2010 1 adult adder berus HOR-8 A 56 Vipera Adder 2010 1 adult adder, 1 berus juvenile adder HOR-9 A 56 Vipera Adder 2011 1 adult male berus adder, 1 juvenile

North Wales Connection Project Environmental Statement Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report Document 5.9.2.9 Page 40

Ref No. Section Approx. Scientific Common Year Details on Dist to name name Figure Order 1 Limits (m)

female adder HOR-10 A 56 Vipera Adder 2011 1 female adder berus HOR-11 A 56 Vipera Adder 2011 1 female adder berus HOR-12 A 56 Vipera Adder 2011 1 female adder berus HOR-13 A 56 Vipera Adder 2012 1 male adder berus HOR-14 A 56 Vipera Adder 2013 1 female adder berus

HOR-15 A 56 Vipera Adder 2013 3 females and 2 berus males HOR-16 A 56 Vipera Adder 2013 1 female adder berus HOR-17 A 56 Vipera Adder 2013 1 female adder berus HOR-18 A 56 Vipera Adder 2013 2 female adders berus HOR-19 A 353 Vipera Adder 2011 1 adult male berus adder HOR-20 A Within Vipera Adder 2008 Adders recorded berus during decommissioning surveys HOR-21 A Within Vipera Adder 2008 Adders recorded berus during decommissioning surveys HOR-22 A 405 Vipera Adder 2008 Adders recorded berus during

North Wales Connection Project Environmental Statement Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report Document 5.9.2.9 Page 41

Ref No. Section Approx. Scientific Common Year Details on Dist to name name Figure Order 1 Limits (m)

decommissioning surveys HOR-23 A Within Vipera Adder 2008 Adders recorded berus during decommissioning surveys HOR-24 A 14 Vipera Adder 2013 2 female adders berus HOR-25 A 14 Vipera Adder 2013 2 female adders berus HOR-26 A 14 Vipera Adder 2013 2 female adders berus HOR-27 A Within Vipera Adder 2008 Adders recorded berus during decommissioning surveys HOR-28 A 343 Vipera Adder 2011 1 adult male berus adder SHE-1 A 1043 Zootoca Common 2016 1 Common Lizard vivipara lizard COF-1 A 191 Zootoca Common 2013 1 Adult vivipara lizard COF-2 A 181 Zootoca Common 2013 1 Adult vivipara lizard COF-3 A 1657 Vipera Adder 1994 3 – 7 adults seen berus - regularly 2010 (Total of 42 records, between 1994-2010) COF-4 A 1657 Zootoca Common 1984 ~ 10 adults vivipara lizard - (Total of 43 2013 records, between

North Wales Connection Project Environmental Statement Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report Document 5.9.2.9 Page 42

Ref No. Section Approx. Scientific Common Year Details on Dist to name name Figure Order 1 Limits (m)

1984 – 2013) COF-5 A 1071 Zootoca Common 2017 1 Adult vivipara lizard COF-6 C 1749 Zootoca Common 2013 1 Adult vivipara lizard COF-7 C 532 Zootoca Common 2014 5 Juveniles vivipara lizard COF-8 C 523 Vipera Adder 2014 6 Adult Females berus COF-9 C 370 Vipera Adder 2015 1 berus COF-10 C 423 Vipera Adder 2013 1 Adult Male berus COF-11 C 1040 Zootoca Common 2017 1 Sub-Adult vivipara lizard COF-12 C 490 Vipera Adder 2012 1 Adult berus - 2013 COF-13 C 490 Zootoca Common 2013 Adults & vivipara lizard Juveniles COF-14 C 890 Anguis Slow- 2017 1 Juvenile fragilis worm COF-15 C 1966 Vipera Adder 2013 3 Adult Males berus COF-16 C 1968 Vipera Adder 2013 2 Adult Males; 1 berus Adult Female COF-17 C 1976 Vipera Adder 2013 4 Adult Males berus COF-18 C 1953 Vipera Adder 2013 3 Adult Males berus (Hibernacula) COF-19 C 1973 Vipera Adder 2013 1 Adult Female

North Wales Connection Project Environmental Statement Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report Document 5.9.2.9 Page 43

Ref No. Section Approx. Scientific Common Year Details on Dist to name name Figure Order 1 Limits (m)

berus COF-20 C 1950 Vipera Adder 2013 1 Adult Male berus COF-21 C 1960 Vipera Adder 2013 2 Adult Males berus COF-22 C 1963 Vipera Adder 2013 2 Adult Males berus COF-23 C 1952 Vipera Adder 2013 2 Adult Males; 1 berus Adult Female; 1 Adult Male COF-24 C 1954 Vipera Adder 2013 1 Adult Male berus COF-25 C 2029 Zootoca Common 2009 1 Adult vivipara lizard COF-26 D 1311 Vipera Adder 2011 1 Adult berus COF-27 D 1274 Vipera Adder 2016 1 Adult berus COF-28 D 1274 Zootoca Common 2016 1 Adult vivipara lizard COF-29 D 1777 Anguis Slow- 2016 1 Adult fragilis worm COF-30 F 597 Anguis Slow- 2015 1 Adult fragilis worm COF-31 F 928 Zootoca Common 2010 1 Male vivipara lizard COF-32 F 1235 Zootoca Common 2011 - vivipara lizard COF-33 F 1416 Zootoca Common 2007 1 Adult vivipara lizard

North Wales Connection Project Environmental Statement Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report Document 5.9.2.9 Page 44 Annex F: Photographs

Plate 1: Survey area 1 (Scoped In)

Plate 2: Survey area 2 (Scoped Out)

Plate 3: Survey area 3 (Scoped In)

North Wales Connection Project Environmental Statement Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report Document 5.9.2.9 Page 45

Plate 4: Survey area 3.1 (Scoped In)

Plate 5: Survey area 3.2 (Scoped In)

Plate 6: Survey area 4 (Scoped In)

Plate 7: Survey area 5 (Scoped out)

North Wales Connection Project Environmental Statement Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report Document 5.9.2.9 Page 46

Plate 8: Survey area 6.1 (Scoped In)

Plate 9: Survey area 6.2 (Scoped In)

Plate 10: Survey area 6.4 (Scoped In)

North Wales Connection Project Environmental Statement Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report Document 5.9.2.9 Page 47

Plate 11: Survey area 6.5 (Scoped In)

Plate 12: Survey area 7.1 (Scoped Out)

Plate 13: Survey area 7.2 (Scoped In)

Plate 14: Survey area 8 (Scoped In)

North Wales Connection Project Environmental Statement Appendix 9.9 Reptile Report Document 5.9.2.9 Page 48

Plate 15: Survey area 9 (Scoped Out)

Plate 16: Survey area 10 (Scoped Out)

North Wales Connection Project