Finham Sewage Treatment Works, St. Martins Road, Coventry
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FINHAM SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS, ST. MARTINS ROAD, COVENTRY PRELIMINARY ECOLOGICAL APPRAISAL A Report to: Costain Report No: RT-MME-151283-01 Rev B Date: June 2020 Triumph House, Birmingham Road, Allesley, Coventry CV5 9AZ Tel: 01676 525880 Fax: 01676 521400 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.middlemarch-environmental.com Finham Sewage Treatment Works, Coventry RT-MME-151283-01 Rev B Preliminary Ecological Appraisal REPORT VERIFICATION AND DECLARATION OF COMPLIANCE This study has been undertaken in accordance with British Standard 42020:2013 “Biodiversity, Code of practice for planning and development”. Report Date Completed by: Checked by: Approved by: Version Amy Finnegan MSc Dr Katy Read CEcol ACIEEM (Ecological Dr Philip Fermor CEnv MCIEEM Final 17/12/19 Consultant) & Fiona CEnv, MCIEEM MCIWEM C.WEM Shuttle BSc (Hons) (Managing Director) DipSM (Executive (Ecological Consultant) Director) Amy Finnegan MSc ACIEEM (Ecological Tom Docker MSc David Smith (Ecology REVA 22/01/2020 Consultant) & Fiona CEcol (Executive and Landscapes Shuttle BSc (Hons) Director) Director) (Ecological Consultant) Amy Finnegan MSc ACIEEM (Ecological Tom Docker MSc David Smith (Ecology REVB 22/06/2020 Consultant) & Fiona CEcol (Executive and Landscapes Shuttle BSc (Hons) Director) Director) (Ecological Consultant) The information which we have prepared is true, and has been prepared and provided in accordance with the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management’s Code of Professional Conduct. We confirm that the opinions expressed are our true and professional bona fide opinions. DISCLAIMER The contents of this report are the responsibility of Middlemarch Environmental Ltd. It should be noted that, whilst every effort is made to meet the client’s brief, no site investigation can ensure complete assessment or prediction of the natural environment. Middlemarch Environmental Ltd accepts no responsibility or liability for any use that is made of this document other than by the client for the purposes for which it was originally commissioned and prepared. VALIDITY OF DATA The findings of this study are valid for a period of 24 months from the date of survey. If works have not commenced by this date, an updated site visit should be carried out by a suitably qualified ecologist to assess any changes in the habitats present on site, and to inform a review of the conclusions and recommendations made. Middlemarch Environmental Ltd. Page 1 Finham Sewage Treatment Works, Coventry RT-MME-151283-01 Rev B Preliminary Ecological Appraisal NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY Middlemarch Environmental Ltd was commissioned by Costain to carry out a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal at the site of the redevelopment of Finham Sewage Treatment Works (STW), located to the south of Finham in Warwickshire. To fulfil this brief an ecological desk study and a walkover survey (in accordance with Phase 1 Habitat Survey methodology) were undertaken. The ecological desk study revealed one UK statutory site within 2 km of the survey area and eight non- statutory sites within 1 km, including Finham Sewage Works potential Local Wildlife Site (pLWS) located within the survey area. The desk study also provided records of protected/notable species within a 1 km radius of the survey area including: bats, badgers, amphibians, reptiles and birds. The walkover survey was undertaken on 25th November 2019 by Amy Finnegan (Ecological Consultant). At the time of survey, the site was dominated by disused gravel filtration beds which were surrounded by scrub, introduced shrubs, poor semi-improved grassland and scattered trees at the edges of the site. In order to ensure compliance with wildlife legislation and relevant planning policy, the following recommendations are made: • Finham Sewage Works pLWS: The planning application boundary will require vegetation clearance of scrub, introduced shrub and other habitats within Finham Sewage Works which is designated as a potential Local Wildlife Site (pLWS). As such, the Local Planning Authority should be consulted to determine the requirement for a full review of the site citations in order to establish whether the designations are still applicable. Should the designations remain in place, suitable avoidance, mitigation, and compensation measures associated with the loss of parts of the pLWS is likely to be required in accordance with the ecological mitigation hierarchy. • Habitat Retention and Protection: The development proposals should be designed (where feasible) to allow for the retention of existing notable habitats including scattered trees and vegetation along the western site boundary. However, these habitats will require removal to facilitate works proposals. As retention is not possible, appropriate replacement planting should be incorporated into the soft landscape scheme in accordance with the ecological mitigation hierachy. Only native and/or wildlife attracting species should be planted. • Biodiversity Enhancement: In accordance with the provision of Chapter 15 of the National Planning Policy Framework (Conserving and Enhancing the Natural Environment) and Local Planning Policy, biodiversity enhancement measures should be incorporated into the landscaping scheme of any proposed development to work towards delivering net gains for biodiversity. The proposed development is situated entirely within a man-made area and therefore, there will be no net-loss of biodiversity as a result of the development. However, as part of the proposed development, biodiversity enhancement measures will be included to ensure a biodiversity net-gain of 10% is delivered in line with National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Local Planning Policy. Biodiversity enhancement measures will be detailed within a Landscape and Ecological Management Plan undertaken by Wardell Armstrong LLP. • Lighting: In accordance with best practice guidance relating to lighting and biodiversity (Miles et al, 2018; Gunnell et al, 2012), any new lighting should be carefully designed to minimise potential disturbance and fragmentation impacts on sensitive receptors, such as bat species. • Badger: Given the suitability of the on-site and surrounding habitats for badger there is a risk of this species colonising the site prior to works commencing. It is therefore recommended that a walkover of the site is undertaken prior to site mobilisation to determine the status of badger within the Planning application boundary. A badger walkover was completed in February 2020. Refer to Middlemarch Environmental Ltd report RT-MME-151590RevA for details. • Terrestrial mammals including badger and hedgehog: Any excavations or open pipework that need to be left overnight should be covered or fitted with mammal ramps to ensure that any animals that enter can safely escape. • Herpetofauna: The clearance of suitable reptile and amphibian habitat such as scrub and tall ruderal habitats, as well as the site clearance works of the planning application boundary should be undertaken under the supervision of an experienced ecologist. This will involve the clearance of vegetation in a directional manner to allow any herpetofauna to disperse and careful removal of any hibernacula. This should be completed when reptiles and amphibians are active. This is weather dependent but generally extends between March and October inclusive. An Ecological clerk of works Middlemarch Environmental Ltd. Page 2 Finham Sewage Treatment Works, Coventry RT-MME-151283-01 Rev B Preliminary Ecological Appraisal supervision role was undertaken during clearance of site in February/March 2020. Refer to Middlemarch Environmental Ltd report RT-MME-151590RevA for details further details. • Nesting Birds: Vegetation clearance should be undertaken outside the nesting bird season (generally between March and September inclusive). Nesting bird checks were undertaken prior to the removal of habitats in February/March 2020. Refer to Middlemarch Environmental Ltd report RT- MME-151590RevA for details further details. Please refer to Section 7 for the full recommendations. Middlemarch Environmental Ltd. Page 3 Finham Sewage Treatment Works, Coventry RT-MME-151283-01 Rev B Preliminary Ecological Appraisal CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................ 5 1.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND ........................................................................................................................ 5 1.2 SITE DESCRIPTION AND CONTEXT .......................................................................................................... 5 1.3 DOCUMENTATION PROVIDED .................................................................................................................. 5 2. METHODOLOGIES.................................................................................................................................... 6 2.1 DESK STUDY ......................................................................................................................................... 6 2.2 PHASE 1 HABITAT SURVEY ..................................................................................................................... 6 3. LEGISLATION AND POLICY .................................................................................................................... 7 3.1 GENERAL BIODIVERSITY LEGISLATION AND POLICY ................................................................................. 7 3.2 NATIONAL PLANNING