Elstronwick Hall, TA 230 322 1 of 30 Humbleton Hall Fitling Road
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Humbleton Hall Fitling Road Humbleton East Yorkshire HU11 4NS Mob: - 07728825307 Email: - [email protected] Elstronwick Hall, Elstronwick Ecological Appraisal Prepared by: Mr. Michael Wood Date: Wednesday, 02 September 2020 Report # : 200040 Elstronwick Hall, TA 230 322 1 of 30 Executive Summary • Building assessment and Activity surveys Undertaken on property located at TA 230 322. • Surveys were undertaken in 2020 • Lead Surveyor- Michael Wood level 2 (CL18) Licensed bat surveyor by Natural England. License number 2015-14416-CLS-CLS bat license has been held for the 5 years under the current Class Survey license Scheme. Previous license was held for 3 years. Michael Wood has guided clients in obtaining numerous mitigation licenses for development which impacted EPS. • Bats identified foraging Near the property but at no point during the survey efforts did bats utilize the buildings. • No further surveys are recommended. • The proposed development will cause negligible impacts on the small local bat population. • The Development can proceed without causing offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. • Species Enrichment 2x Schwegler 2F bat shelters to be installed adjacent to the site. The Above Bullet points highlight the important information gained through the survey and should be used as a quick reference to the more in-depth information contained throughout the Report. Elstronwick Hall, TA 230 322 2 of 30 1. Introduction 4 2. Survey Methods, Results and Assessment. 5 3. Results 8 4. Assessment of Development impact 22 5. Conclusion and mitigation recommendations 23 6. Legislation and Policy Guidance 25 7. References 27 8. Appendices 29 Elstronwick Hall, TA 230 322 3 of 30 1. Introduction This report presents the information gathered regarding the site located at TA 230 322, Elstronwick Hall, Back Lane, Elstronwick, East Riding of Yorkshire, HU12 9BN The survey's objective was to identify any habitats and features present that could support notable protected species. The survey will also note any other species or habitat that are of nature conservation importance or any non-native invasive species which may represent a constraint to the development of the site. This report provides an assessment of ecological constraints concerning the redevelopment of the site in question and identifies findings of the survey work carried out. It also provides recommended ecological enrichment plans and a mitigation strategy where required. 1.2. Survey Information In the year 2020 Yorkshire Ecology Surveys was commissioned to undertake an ecological survey, of the site located at Grid reference TA 230 322, a property that resides in the District of East Riding of Yorkshire. The survey was undertaken to assess the impact of a proposed building conversion which the survey was based upon. The survey was undertaken by experienced licensed bat ecologist Michael Wood (license number 2015- 14416-CLS-CLS) The Survey was undertaken in 2020 to confirm the absence of Bats within the confines of the proposed development. The Surveys included in this report include a building assessment. A dusk Survey and a Dawn Survey. 1.3. Site Description The survey site is a range of brick barns situated near a small number of residential properties and neighboring open countryside. The buildings are currently used for storage and as stables. The buildings have a pan tile roof covering. The site is situated in the small village of Elstronwick, East Riding of Yorkshire. Elstronwick Hall, TA 230 322 4 of 30 2. Survey Methods, Results and Assessment. 2.1 Desktop Study and Record search The desktop study includes Ecological Data received from North & East Yorkshire ecological data centre. Data discovered online resources such as MAGIC (http://magic.defra.gov.uk) and East Riding Planning Portal The search aimed to identify all notable European Protected Species (EPS) within a 2km radius of the site. Along with any information which may be relevant to the survey effort. 2.2 Magic Map Search (http://magic.defra.gov.uk\) The Magic Map internet service was examined for a 2km radius of the site. During the search, we were looking for locations of any notable areas designated for nature conservation these sites are to include the following. • Local Nature Reserves • National Parks • Sites of Special Scientific Interest • Special Protection Areas • Important Bird Areas • National Nature Reserves • Ramsar Sites • Special Conservation Areas • Ancient Woodland 2.3 Fauna Surveys Bats An initial survey of the site was carried out to identify the likelihood of bats using any features of the site surveyed. During this process, a number of factors were taken into consideration, to include potential foraging Habitat, potential flight corridors and features which may be used as a roost location. The survey was carried out by a level 2 class 18 licensed Bat surveyor (license number 2015- 14416-CLS-CLS) The main aspects of the inspection covered the following Bat droppings urine and grease stains, food spoils and any other signs which provided evidence of a potential or actual roost location. The area around windows and doors or sources of heat which are identified as favorable roost opportunities are noted. The Survey uses a number of methods including endoscope searches, Surface inspection, roof searches and feature identification. Material Suitability and identification of building characterisation which can attract bats. The assessed structures are placed within one of the following categories and actions taken as stipulated in the table. Roost Description Action Required Probability Negligible Negligible habitat features on-site and ability No Further surveys required for Elstronwick Hall, TA 230 322 5 of 30 Roost Description Action Required Probability Low A number of crevices suitable for bats to A minimum of one activity Survey should be occupy, and a site location which suits the undertaken. and the survey effort should preference of bats. continue until the surveyors are happy that bats are not present. Moderate Numerous crevices, Roof tiles which are At least 2 activity surveys to be undertaken under drawn (felt or lathe). Rough sawn preferable a dusk and a dawn. The survey timber. Previous evidence of habitation. effort shall continue until the surveyors are happy that bats are not present. High Numerous crevices, Roof tiles which are 3 activity surveys to be undertaken under drawn (felt or lathe). Rough sawn preferable a dusk and a dawn and either timber. Previous evidence of habitation. one more dawn or dusk survey. The survey Timber windows with gaps, surrounded by effort shall continue until the surveyors are woodland. Previously known roosts happy that bats are not present. Or until the roost usage is confirmed so that a licence can be applied for. The Above table are the guidelines to which Yorkshire Ecology Surveys follow these are expanded slightly from the table below taken from the (2016) Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists: Good Practice Guidelines (3rd edn). At all times during the Survey it must be emphasised that should there be any doubt in survey results Yorkshire Ecology Surveys undertake extra survey efforts to satisfy their results. Following the initial survey of the property to determine if the buildings have the potential of hosting a roost. An action plan is then formed to complete a thorough investigating which provided suitable information to provide an evidence-based decision as too whether the property has a bat roost present or if absence can be confirmed. At all times during the survey effort, the surveyors work to the guideline laid out in the (2016) Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists: Good Practice Guidelines (3rd edn). Through hundreds of surveys, the team are able to act proficiently and confidently to determine the results of the survey. Should any of the surveyors present on a survey have any doubts a discussion is held and where necessary further survey effort is undertaken to confirm the relevant results. The Surveyors have a range of equipment at their disposal to undertake each stage of the Survey. Elstronwick Hall, TA 230 322 6 of 30 Yorkshire Ecology Surveys have the following tools Which are distributed between the surveying team. Anabat SD2 - Frequency division detector Anabat SD1 - Frequency division detector Magenta Bat4 Bat Detector Ciel Micro Trio - Frequency Division, Time Expansion and Heterodyne (bat detector) Ciel CDB 301 - Heterodyne and frequency Division Detector Clulite Torch - at least 1 million candle power torch LED head Torches LED Torches High power Endoscope The Above listed are the devices utilised for activity surveys in addition to the above. The use of Endoscopes, binoculars or magnification scopes, and access equipment are all used during the survey effort to identify features and any potential signs of bat usage. At all times, the surveyors must put personal safety as a priority and care is taken to access all suitable parts of a property where it is safe to do so. This is considered throughout the survey as it is important to take a proportionate approach to all survey efforts. The approach to each survey can differ due to: - The likelihood of bats being present. Type of proposed activity. The scale of proposed activities (Windfarm, Building conversion, minor repairs) Size, complexity and nature of the site. Species likely to be present (BLE are notoriously harder to identify exact roost locations as opposed to Pipistrelles) Quantity of species (if numbers are not