Aisby Road, Aisby October 2018

ECOLOGY AND PROTECTED SPECIES SURVEY

LAND OFF AISBY ROAD, AISB Y, LINCOLNSHIRE

OCTOBER 2018

The Old School House Chapel Road Tumby Woodside Boston Issued to: PE22 7SP Mike Sibthorp Mike Sibthorp Planning Telephone:01526 344726 or 01205 723342 Logan House E-mail: [email protected] Lime Grove Grantham Company registration number:8087266 NG31 9JD VAT registration number:994957340 Aisby Road, Aisby October 2018

ECOLOGY AND PROTECTED SPECIES SURVEY LAND OFF AISBY ROAD, AISBY, LINCOLNSHIRE

Report to: Mike Sibthorp Mike Sibthorp Planning Logan House Lime Grove Grantham NG31 9JD

Report title: Ecology and Protected Species Survey, Land off Road, Aisby, Lincolnshire

Revision: Final

Original issue date: October 2018

Amended: N/A

Originated by: Rachel McNally Date: Assistant ecologist 10th October 2018

Reviewed by: Helen Scarborough Date: Director 17th October 2018

Approved by: Ian Nixon Date: Director 22nd October 2018

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ECOLOGY AND PROTECTED SPECIES SURVEY LAND OFF AISBY ROAD, AISB Y, LINCOLNSHIRE

Contents

1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1

2 METHODS ...... 2 2.1 Data search ...... 2

2.2 Bats ...... 2

2.2.1 Preliminary roost assessment ...... 2

2.2.2 Ground level roost assessment ...... 3

2.2.3 Assessment of commuting and foraging habitats ...... 4

2.2.4 Evening emergence survey ...... 4

2.3 Badger ...... 4

2.4 Birds ...... 4

2.4.1 Common bird species ...... 4

2.4.2 Schedule 1 species ...... 5

2.5 Habitats and plant species ...... 5

2.6 Survey constraints and limitations ...... 5

3 SITE ASSESSMENT ...... 5 3.1 Location and grid reference ...... 5

3.2 Track ...... 6

3.3 Buildings ...... 6

3.4 Yard ...... 8

3.5 Grassland ...... 8

3.6 Site boundaries and surrounding habitats ...... 9

4 RESULTS ...... 10 4.1 Data search ...... 10

4.2 Badger ...... 11

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4.3 Bats ...... 11

4.3.1 Preliminary roost assessment ...... 11

4.3.2 Preliminary ground level roost assessment ...... 12

4.3.3 Assessment of commuting and foraging habitats ...... 12

4.3.4 Evening emergence survey ...... 12

4.4 Birds ...... 13

4.4.1 Common bird species ...... 13

4.4.2 Schedule 1 species ...... 13

4.5 Habitats and plant species ...... 14

5 DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 14 5.1 Bats ...... 14

5.1.1 Legal protection ...... 14

5.1.2 Recommendations ...... 15

5.2 Birds ...... 15

5.2.1 Legal protection ...... 15

5.2.2 Recommendations for common bird species ...... 16

5.2.3 Recommendations for Schedule 1 species ...... 16

5.3 Recommendations for ecological enhancement ...... 16

6 SUMMARY ...... 18

7 REFERENCES ...... 18

APPENDIX 1 ...... 20 Plant Species List ...... 20

APPENDIX 2 ...... 23 Data search results ...... 23

APPENDIX 3 ...... 24 Procedure to follow in the event of finding bats on site ...... 24

APPENDIX 4 ...... 26 Examples of bat roost features ...... 26 Scarborough Nixon Associates Ltd iv

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APPENDIX 5 ...... 30 Barn owl information ...... 30

Photographs Photograph 1: The workshop and storage shed ...... 7 Photograph 2: The open sided storage shed...... 7 Photograph 3: Internal view of the workshop...... 7 Photograph 4: Western elevation of the workshop ...... 7 Photograph 5: The eastern building – used for boat construction ...... 7 Photograph 6: The storage sheds ...... 7 Photograph 7: Storage shed ...... 8 Photograph 8: Yard area between the buildings and grassland field ...... 8 Photograph 9: The yard area ...... 8 Photograph 10: The grass field ...... 9 Photograph 11: Grass field looking towards the western boundary ...... 9 Photograph 12: Bramble and scrub on the field edge ...... 9 Photograph 13: Grass field looking north ...... 9 Photograph 14: The western boundary ...... 10 Photograph 15: The southern boundary ...... 10 Photograph 16: The eastern boundary ...... 10

Tables Table 1: Assessment of survey site to support roosting bats...... 12 Table 2: Assessment of surrounding habitats to support commuting and foraging bats ...... 12 Table 3: Common bird species seen on the site ...... 13

Figures Figure 1: Aerial view of the survey site (outlined in red) ...... 6

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ECOLOGY AND PROTECTED SPECIES SURVEY LAND OFF AISBY ROAD, AISB Y, LINCOLNSHIRE

1 INTRODUCTION

Scarborough Nixon Associates Ltd has been commissioned by Mike Sibthorp to undertake an ecology and protected species survey of buildings and land off Aisby Road in Aisby, Lincolnshire. The survey is required in connection with plans to demolish existing buildings and develop the site for residential use.

The site was surveyed on 26th September 2018, in dry and bright conditions, by Helen Scarborough (registered to use Natural England Class Licences WML-CL08 to survey great crested newts, WML-CL19 and WML-CL20 to survey bats; registration numbers 2016-20412- CLS-CLS, 2015-12691-CLS-CLS and 2015-12692-CLS-CLS respectively) and Sarah Vinters.

During the initial appraisal of the site the protected species considered likely to occur on site were identified. These were:

• Bats • Badger • Common bird species • Schedule 1 bird species

Certain protected species were scoped out of the survey; in particular it was considered that white-clawed crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes, common dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius, water vole Arvicola amphibius and otter Lutra lutra were highly unlikely to occur on the survey site due to lack of suitable habitat.

There are no records for great crested newt Triturus cristatus from within 2km of the site. There are ponds within 500 metres of the site (on private land) and there are some areas of the site with potential for use by amphibians in the terrestrial phase of their lifecycle; however, the site is still used as an active business, the area is generally disturbed, and potential refuge areas would be moved and regularly disturbed and the grassland is short sward and managed. This, together with the lack of records, indicates that this species is unlikely to be present and has been scoped out of the survey.

Likewise, there are no recent records of common reptile species and therefore these species

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have also been scoped out of the survey.

A note was made of any species which are local or national Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species/species of principal importance.

This report details the methods used, describes the species found on the site, discusses the results and makes recommendations for further work.

2 METHODS

2.1 Data search Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre (LERC) was consulted and commissioned on 9th October 2018 to search for sites with statutory and non-statutory designation and records of protected species in the area. Records of protected species more than 20 years old are not referred to in this report but are included within the relevant appendix.

2.2 Bats 2.2.1 Preliminary roost assessment In accordance with Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists: Good Practice Guidelines 3rd Edition (Collins J, 2016), a preliminary roost assessment was carried out on the buildings to determine whether any features were present that bats could use for entry/exit points and roosting, and to search for signs of bat presence. Ladders, high-powered torches and binoculars were used to search for internal and external features including but not limited to:

• Gaps around windowsills, door frames and lintels • Lifted rendering, paintwork, shiplap boarding • Soffit boxes, weatherboarding and fascias • Lead flashing, hanging tiles and lifted or missing tiles/slate • Gaps >15mm in brickwork and stonework • Bat specimens (live or dead) • Bat droppings and urine staining • Feeding remains (e.g. moth wings) • Cobweb-free sections of ridge beam

The buildings were then assigned a measure of potential suitability to determine the extent of future survey work needed. The categories of potential suitability and further survey effort Scarborough Nixon Associates Ltd 2

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required are as follows:

• Negligible – Negligible features on site likely to be used by roosting bats – no further survey work • Low – A structure with one or more potential roost sites that could be used by individual bats opportunistically – one survey visit (dusk or dawn) • Moderate – A structure with one or more potential roost sites that could be used by bats on a regular basis – two separate survey visits (one dusk and one dawn) • High – A structure with one or more potential roost sites that are obviously suitable for use by larger numbers of bats on a regular basis and for longer periods of time – three separate survey visits (one dusk, one dawn and one dusk or dawn)

2.2.2 Ground level roost assessment A preliminary ground level roost assessment was carried out on all trees on the site, in accordance with Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists: Good Practice Guidelines 3rd Edition (Collins J, 2016) Table 4.1 page 35. The trees were visually checked with the assistance of binoculars for potential roost features such as:

• Woodpecker holes • Broken limbs, snag ends, cracks and splits in branches and rot holes • Cankers with cavities • Gaps between overlapping stems or branches • Dense ivy, with stem diameters in excess of 50mm • Flaking bark

Any trees with roost potential were then assigned a measure of potential suitability to determine the extent of future survey work needed. The categories of potential suitability and further survey effort required are as follows:

• Negligible – Negligible potential roosting features on the tree – no further survey work • Low – A tree of sufficient size and age to contain potential roost features but with none seen from the ground, or features seen with only very limited roosting potential – no further surveys necessary • Moderate – One or more potential roost features that could be used by bats on a regular basis – further survey work required (roost feature inspections or emergence/ re-entry surveys) • High – One or more potential roost features that are obviously suitable for use by larger numbers of bats on a regular basis and for longer periods of time – further survey work required (roost feature inspections or emergence/ re-entry surveys) Scarborough Nixon Associates Ltd 3

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2.2.3 Assessment of commuting and foraging habitats In accordance with Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists: Good Practice Guidelines 3rd Edition (Collins J, 2016), the site and adjacent areas were assessed for their potential suitability for commuting and foraging bats and categorised as follows:

• Negligible – Negligible habitat features on site or in surrounding area likely to be used by commuting or foraging bats • Low – Habitat features that could be used by small numbers of commuting bats such as a gappy hedgerow or small numbers of foraging bats such as a patch of scrub, but that are isolated from other habitat features • Moderate – Continuous habitat connected to the wider landscape such as lines of trees that could be used by commuting bats or trees, grassland or water features that could be used by foraging bats • High – Continuous, high-quality habitat that is well connected to the wider landscape for use by commuting and foraging bats such as river valleys, woodland, grassland and parkland

2.2.4 Evening emergence survey A team of two surveyors undertook a dusk emergence survey of the buildings on 26th September 2018. The weather conditions were suitable; with 3/8 cloud cover, no precipitation, a light breeze and temperatures of 15-16°C.

Surveyors were positioned on the east and west sides of the yard so that the buildings could be assessed for emergence, with particular attention given to potential roost sites and exit/entry points.

The survey started 15 minutes before sunset and continued for 1.5 hours after sunset. An Anabat Walkabout full spectrum and a Magenta Bat5 heterodyne bat detector were used to assist the survey, and to enable acoustic species identification.

2.3 Badger The site was searched for signs of use by badger Meles meles including setts, latrines, dung pits, pathways, hairs, footprints, snuffle holes and scratch marks on trees.

2.4 Birds 2.4.1 Common bird species All bird species noted on the site were recorded. The site was searched for signs of use by Scarborough Nixon Associates Ltd 4

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nesting birds, typically old and active nests and concentrations of faecal deposits associated with a breeding site.

2.4.2 Schedule 1 species The buildings were inspected for the presence of barn owl Tyto alba and the signs indicative of their past or present use including regurgitated pellets, concentrated accumulations of flattened pellets indicative of a nest site, faecal encrustation, eggs or eggshell remains, surplus prey items, bodily remains of chicks or infant down feathers. The site was not considered to provide suitable breeding opportunities for other Schedule 1 species.

2.5 Habitats and plant species An extended ecological assessment survey was undertaken, not only to identify the habitats present, but also to include more detailed information on plant species on the site and undertake a further appraisal of the area as habitat for legally protected species. Plant species on the site were assessed against the Vascular Plant Red Data List for Great Britain, and the site was assessed against the Local Wildlife Site (LWS) criteria for Lincolnshire. Any invasive plant species listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981, reviewed in 2010) were also noted. Hedgerows on the site were assessed to determine whether they qualified as ‘important’ under the Hedgerows Regulations 1997.

2.6 Survey constraints and limitations The information contained in this report was accurate at the time of the survey; however, it should be noted that the status of mobile species such as badger, birds and bats can alter in a short period of time and any survey only represents a ‘snapshot’ of the site at one point in the season. There are no definitive guidelines relating to the longevity of an ecology report, however we recommend that the results are updated after 12 months if the development or proposed work has not commenced.

3 SITE ASSESSMENT

3.1 Location and grid reference The survey site comprises a complex of workshops and associated grassland, track and yard, located to the south-west of Aisby Road in Aisby, Lincolnshire - central grid reference TF009387.

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The buildings and habitats on site are described in detail below and representative photographs are included in the text. An aerial view of the site is provided as Figure 1, and a plant list is included as Appendix 1.

Figure 1: Aerial view of the survey site (outlined in red)

3.2 Track The access track comprises a hard-standing road leading to the site, with some ruderal species such as annual meadow-grass and greater plantain with some areas of grass verge and areas of garden fences and garden species. Mature trees occur along the eastern side.

3.3 Buildings An assortment of buildings constructed variously of corrugated metal, timber and some blockwork. From east to west the buildings comprise: an open sided workshop used for boat- making, constructed of a steel frame with unlined corrugated metal sheeting roof covering and partial sides; a workshop constructed of a steel frame covered with corrugated metal sheeting supporting a pitched metal roof covered with unlined corrugated fibre-cement sheeting (with an adjoining office that has an upper floor area constructed of solid blockwork walls supporting a mono-pitched roof covered with unlined corrugated fibre-cement sheeting); storage sheds constructed of timber frames covered with corrugated metal sheeting and wooden panels under pitched or mono-pitched timber roofs covered with unlined metal or fibre-cement corrugated

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sheeting; and an open-sided storage shed with wooden supports and corrugated metal sheeting covered sides and an unlined mono-pitched roof.

Photograph 1: The workshop and storage Photograph 2: The open sided storage shed shed

Photograph 3: Internal view of the Photograph 4: Western elevation of the workshop workshop

Photograph 5: The eastern building – Photograph 6: The storage sheds used for boat construction

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Photograph 7: Storage shed

3.4 Yard Surrounding the buildings is a yard comprising gravel, hard-standing and rough grassland with many ruderal species including bristly oxtongue, knotgrass, spurge species, nipplewort, sow- thistle species, annual meadow-grass, willowherb species and cock’s-foot. Piles of building debris, cars and machinery are scattered throughout the yard area.

Photograph 8: Yard area between the Photograph 9: The yard area buildings and grassland field

3.5 Grassland To the south of the buildings is a species poor grass field supporting cock’s-foot, false-oat grass, Yorkshire-fog, meadow-grass species, creeping buttercup, ribwort plantain, cow parsley, hogweed, white dead-nettle, common nettle and dock species.

At the edges of the field, south of the buildings are areas of bramble scrub and mature trees including bramble, ash, elder, sycamore and hawthorn.

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Photograph 10: The grass field Photograph 11: Grass field looking towards the western boundary

Photograph 12: Bramble and scrub on Photograph 13: Grass field looking north the field edge

3.6 Site boundaries and surrounding habitats The northern boundary comprises a hedgerow with leylandii, laurel, hawthorn and garden species.

The eastern boundary comprises a line of mature trees and scrub including ash, hawthorn, elder and blackthorn over ivy and cow parsley.

The southern boundary comprises a fence with hawthorn and blackthorn scrub, beyond this is a track and mature trees including ash.

The western boundary comprises a fence and a newly planted line of willow trees and also a garden fence with areas of scrub including bramble and sycamore.

The wider area includes arable land, grassland, residential and agricultural buildings in the village of Aisby.

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Photograph 14: The western boundary Photograph 15: The southern boundary

Photograph 16: The eastern boundary

4 RESULTS

4.1 Data search The LERC data search identified several non-statutory sites within 2km of the survey site:

• Kings Street, Wild Flower Way LWS (Local Wildlife Site) • Mill Lane West, Wild Flower Way LWS • Welby to Haceby Road Verges LWS • Nightingale Plantation LWS • Oasby Road Verges LWS • Heydour Warren to Oasby Road Verges LWS • Mill Lane East, Wild Flower Way LWS • Heydour Lodge Road Verges LWS • Culverthorpe Lake SNCI (Site of Nature Conservation Interest) • Dembleby Thorns SNCI • Heydour Southings SNCI Scarborough Nixon Associates Ltd 10

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• Patman's Wood SNCI • Heydour Lodge RNR (Roadside Nature Reserve)

The priority habitats of lowland calcareous grassland, lowland mixed deciduous woodland, and ponds have also been identified within 2km of the survey site, along with ancient and semi natural woodland and ancient replanted woodland. As these sites, habitats and ancient woodland are not within or adjacent to the survey site, it is not considered likely that their nature conservation interests will be negatively affected by the proposed development.

The following BAP species have also been recorded within 2km of the site: • brown hare Lepus europaeus in 2012 • west European hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus in 2013

Where applicable, the records of protected species are included within the relevant section of the report. The full report for the data search is provided as Appendix 2.

4.2 Badger No signs of use by badger were noted during the survey but there are records of badger from the area as recently as 2018. No further work or mitigation is required but it is recommended that vigilance is maintained for signs of badger activity. If badger presence is suspected at any time then it will be necessary to seek advice immediately by calling 07833 674500, to ensure legal compliance. To safeguard ground mammals, including badgers and hedgehogs, during the development phase, it is essential that no trenches or pipes are left uncovered overnight.

4.3 Bats 4.3.1 Preliminary roost assessment Within 2km of the site there are records of pipistrelle species Pipistrellus sp. from 2014, brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus from 2008, and common pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus from 2007.

No signs of use by bats were recorded during the daylight assessment. Overall the buildings were considered to offer very little in terms of opportunities for long term roosting by bats.

The results of the assessment for the buildings appear in tabular form below.

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Table 1: Assessment of survey site to support roosting bats Building/ Description Site value for bats Feature Unlined corrugated fibre-cement roofs Many open sided Negligible potential for No large roof voids Buildings transient, maternity or No pantile/slate roof coverings hibernation roosting. Very little brickwork or blockwork No field signs recorded

4.3.2 Preliminary ground level roost assessment No trees with features that could support roosting bats were noted. No further work or assessment is required.

4.3.3 Assessment of commuting and foraging habitats The area would provide good opportunities for foraging and commuting bat, and common pipistrelle bats were recorded feeding over the grassland field during the evening survey.

The results of the assessment of the surrounding habitats appear in tabular form below:

Table 2: Assessment of surrounding habitats to support commuting and foraging bats Site value for Feature Description bats Grass field Good to moderate Immediate Hedgerows potential for area (<500m) Mature trees foraging and commuting Grassland Wider Good potential for Arable with hedgerows surroundings foraging and Ponds (500m-3km) commuting Residential dwellings with mature gardens

4.3.4 Evening emergence survey No bats were recorded emerging from the buildings. Common pipistrelle bats were recorded flying around the site and also feeding in the field from 19:14 onwards. A maximum of two bats were recorded at any one time. The bat activity across the site was constant between 19:14 and 19:55.

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4.4 Birds 4.4.1 Common bird species There are records of BAP species within 2km of the site, including house sparrow Passer domesticus in 2015 and tree sparrow Passer montanus in 2013, with the Lincolnshire BAP species starling Sturnus vulgaris recorded in 2015 and swift Apus apus in 2014.

A number of common birds were seen on or flying over the site during the survey. These are listed below along with their current status as BAP species or Birds of Conservation Concern 4 (Eaton et al, 2015):

Table 3: Common bird species seen on the site English name Scientific name BAP BoCC woodpigeon Columbus palumbus Green collared dove Streptopelia decaocto Green tawny owl Strix aluco Amber jackdaw Corvus monedula Green great tit Parus major Green wren Troglodytes troglodytes Green blackbird Turdus merula Green robin Erithacus rubecula Green

The buildings, grassland, trees and hedgerows all have potential to support nesting birds. Disused nests were noted in the trees, old cars, buildings and scrub on the site.

Tawny owls were heard calling throughout the evening survey.

4.4.2 Schedule 1 species There are records of barn owl in the local area from as recently as 2015, approximately 1.75km north-east of the site at Culverthorpe Lake. Previous records of this species in the area are from 2012 and 2009.

Approximately 30 old pellets recalling those regurgitated by barn owl, together with associated faecal splashing, were noted inside one of the storage sheds. Faecal splashing was also noted in the upper floor area of the office/workshop building and also inside one of the other storage sheds. No evidence of a breeding site was found, and the evidence is consistent with historic occasional day roosting.

The previous owner of the site (not the applicant) had placed mesh over the gaps in the door where barn owls had been entering the storage shed thus making the building no longer Scarborough Nixon Associates Ltd 13

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accessible for this species.

4.5 Habitats and plant species The habitats and plant species recorded on the site are common and widespread in the local area and in the country. The plant species recorded on the site are not listed on Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). There are no species that are listed in the Vascular Plant Red Data List for Great Britain and the site would not meet the criteria to qualify as a Local Wildlife Site. The boundary hedgerows do not meet the criteria to qualify as ‘important’ under the Hedgerow Regulations 1997.

5 DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Bats 5.1.1 Legal protection In England, Scotland and Wales, all bats are strictly protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (and as amended); in England and Wales this legislation has been amended and strengthened by the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000. Bats are also protected by European legislation; the EC Habitats Directive is transposed into UK law by The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 – often referred to as 'The Habitat Regs'. Taken together, all this legislation makes it an offence to:

• Deliberately capture (or take), injure or kill a bat • Intentionally or recklessly disturb a group of bats where the disturbance is likely to significantly affect the ability of the animals to survive, breed, or nurture their young or likely to significantly affect the local distribution or abundance of the species whether in a roost or not. • Damage or destroy the breeding or resting place of a bat • Possess a bat (alive or dead) or any part of a bat • Intentionally or recklessly obstruct access to a bat roost • Sell (or offer for sale) or exchange bats (alive or dead) or parts of bats

A roost is defined as being ‘any structure or place that is used for shelter or protection’, and since bats regularly move roost site throughout the year, a roost retains such designation whether or not bats are present at the time.

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5.1.2 Recommendations The survey indicates that the site is not used by bats for maternity, hibernation or transient roosting. The buildings on site have limited potential to support a long-term roost site for bats. The site is used by foraging and commuting bats.

It is considered that the proposed work can be undertaken without the requirement for a Natural England European Protected Species licence but carried out in accordance with some precautionary measures; these measures are provided below:

Precautionary measures for bats – Land off Aisby Road, Aisby

• All contractors working on the buildings will be briefed on the legal protection afforded to bats and their places of shelter and on how to proceed if a bat is discovered during the course of the work. A procedure to follow in the very unlikely event of discovering bats on site is given as Appendix 3.

• To enhance the site when the area is redeveloped, bat roost features suitable for pipistrelle species should be incorporated into some of the new houses that are to be built on the site and bat boxes should be installed at eaves level on the buildings. The bat roost features for the new houses can take the form of bat bricks, which allow bats access into the cavity wall, or integral bat roost units. They should not be placed above any windows or doors. Examples of the bat roost features/units which could be used are given in Appendix 4 and more information can be found at www.wildcareshop.com.

• Avoid placing external lighting that illuminates the newly installed bat boxes or bat roost units/features.

• It is recommended that lighting on site is kept to a minimum. If it is necessary to include some external lighting, this should be carefully designed to minimise disturbance to bats, by using down-lights rather than up-lights and using shields to limit light spill. Any external lighting (especially up-lights) used should emit minimal ultra-violet light, be narrow-spectrum (avoiding white and blue wavelengths) and should peak higher than 550nm.

5.2 Birds 5.2.1 Legal protection All common wild birds are protected under The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (and as amended). Under this legislation it is an offence to:

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• Kill, injure or take any wild bird • Take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built • Take or destroy the egg of any wild bird

Certain rare breeding birds are listed on Schedule 1 of The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (and as amended). Under this legislation they are afforded the same protection as common wild birds and are also protected against disturbance whilst building a nest or on or near a nest containing eggs/unfledged young.

5.2.2 Recommendations for common bird species Any works to the buildings or any necessary clearance of vegetation should ideally take place outside of the active breeding season which typically runs from March through to late August inclusive. If work commences during the bird breeding season, a search for nests should be carried out before work begins and any active nests must be protected until the young fledge.

Consideration should be given to the provision of nest boxes of various designs within the development. These should include a nest box suitable for tawny owl, ideally placed on mature trees to the south of the site. The provision of nest boxes would be a good conservation measure and will help to replace the nesting habitats that will be lost through the demolition of the buildings. Details of nest boxes suitable for use by a range of common bird species can be obtained from Wildcare, Eastgate House, Moreton Road, Longborough, Gloucestershire GL56 0QJ (01451 833181). www.wildcareshop.co.uk.

5.2.3 Recommendations for Schedule 1 species Historic evidence of barn owl use was recorded.

As an enhancement measure it is recommended that a nest box suitable for use by barn owls is placed on the southern boundary of the site overlooking open countryside to the south of the site. This should comprise a pole-mounted nest box.

Further information about barn owl nest box designs and advice on installation is provided in Appendix 5 and can also be sourced from The Barn Owl Trust, Waterleat, Ashburton, Devon, TQ13 7HU (e-mail: [email protected]).

5.3 Recommendations for ecological enhancement In addition to the legislation which is in place to safeguard protected species, there is also legislation and policy which imposes duties to take account of statutorily protected species and also to undertake action to prevent loss of biodiversity and species/habitats which have been

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identified as priorities in the UK. In England and Wales, the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006, imposes a duty on all public bodies (including Local Authorities and statutory bodies) to conserve biodiversity – including restoring and enhancing a population or habitat. In addition, government planning policy guidance throughout the UK, provided in the latest National Planning Policy Framework (July 2018), states that ‘…local planning authorities should apply the following principles’; ‘if significant harm to biodiversity resulting from a development cannot be avoided (through locating on an alternative site with less harmful impacts), adequately mitigated, or, as a last resort, compensated for, then planning permission should be refused’.

In order to enhance biodiversity and provide some ‘ecological gain’ on site and fulfil the Local Planning Authorities obligations under the NERC Act 2006, the following measures are recommended:

• Removal of the existing hedgerows on the site should be avoided where possible and kept to a minimum if unavoidable. Any removal of hedgerows should be compensated for by re-planting at least the amount that is lost using native species such as blackthorn Prunus spinosa, common hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, hazel Corylus avellana, field maple Acer campestre, midland hawthorn Crataegus laevigata, wild cherry Prunus avium and bird cherry Prunus padus. Any new hedgerows to be planted should also comprise these native species.

• Once established, hedgerows should be appropriately managed with traditional techniques where possible to maximise their benefit for wildlife using hedge laying rather than flailing or trimming. If trimming is necessary, ensure it is carried out every 2 to 3 years and in sections so that not all parts of the hedgerow are cut at the same time.

• Any new trees and shrubs planted on the site as part of a landscaping scheme should comprise native locally appropriate species. If possible, species that provide pollen, nectar and fruit should form part of the landscaping in order to provide a food source for common birds. Species which could be considered include hazel Corylus avellana, hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, blackthorn Prunus spinosa, dog rose Rosa canina, wayfaring tree Viburnum lantana, sweet-briar Rosa rubiginosa, dogwood Cornus sanguinea, common buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica and guelder rose Viburnum opulus.

• It is considered likely that hedgehog occur on site, and within the adjacent habitats. Hedgehog populations have declined by a third in the last 10 years and are a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species. Gardens and green spaces can support high densities of hedgehogs, but habitat fragmentation is thought to be a significant Scarborough Nixon Associates Ltd 17

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contributor to their decline. Simple solutions within the new development will ensure connectivity for this species between the site and adjacent areas. To maintain commuting routes for hedgehogs, any fences that are installed should have a small hole in the bottom, 13cmx13cm, or be raised off the ground. Ideally, hedges should be used instead of fencing.

6 SUMMARY

The buildings, yard, track and grassland at land off Aisby Road in Aisby, Lincolnshire were surveyed in connection with plans to develop the site for residential use.

Precautionary measures in respect of bats are recommended.

The site has high potential for use by nesting birds and nesting evidence was found in all of the buildings that were surveyed. Recommendations are made in the report to safeguard common bird species.

Historic evidence of barn owl use was found on site. A barn owl nest box should be installed.

Some further precautionary measures and ecological enhancements are required in order to ensure legal compliance and no net loss to biodiversity. These are as follows:

• Vigilance and best practice regarding badgers and other ground mammals • Appropriate timing with regards to nesting birds • Provision of nest boxes – including a tawny owl box and a barn owl nest box • Use of native species in any landscaping scheme • Best practice in relation to hedgehog within the development

7 REFERENCES

Cheffings, C.M. & Farrell, L. (Eds), Dines, T.D., Jones, R.A., Leach, S.J., McKean, D.R., Pearman, D.A., Preston, C.D., Rumsey, F.J., Taylor, I. 2005. The Vascular Plant Red Data List for Great Britain. Species Status 7: 1-116. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough.

Collop C (revised Bouic A 2015) Lincolnshire Biodiversity Action Plan 2011-20. 3rd edition. Scarborough Nixon Associates Ltd 18

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Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership.

Collins, J. (ed.) (2016) Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists: Good Practice Guidelines (3rd edn). The Bat Conservation Trust, London.

Eaton M A et al 2015. Birds of Conservation Concern 4: the population status of birds in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. British Birds 108, pp708–746.

Mitchell-Jones A J 2004. Bat Mitigation Guidelines. English Nature.

Mitchell-Jones A J and McLeish A P 2004. Bat workers manual. Joint Nature Conservation Committee.

Stace C. 2010. New Flora of the British Isles. 3rd Edition. CUP, Cambridge.

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APPENDIX 1 Plant Species List

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ENGLISH NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME annual meadow-grass Poa annua ash Fraxinus excelsior barren brome Anisantha sterilis blackthorn Prunus spinosa bramble Rubus fruticosus bristly oxtongue Helminthotheca echioides broad-leaved dock Rumex obtusifolius burdock sp Arctium sp Canadian fleabane Conyza canadensis cleavers Galium aparine cock’s-foot Dactylis glomerata common couch Elytrigia repens common knotgrass Polygonum aviculare common mallow Malva sylvestris common mouse-ear Cerastium fontanum common nettle Urtica dioica common ragwort Senecio jacobaea cow parsley Anthriscus sylvestris creeping buttercup Ranunculus repens creeping thistle Cirsium arvense dandelion Taraxacum officinale dog-rose Rosa canina dove’s-foot crane’s-bill Geranium molle elder Sambucus nigra false oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius fescue sp Festuca sp field speedwell Veronica persica great willowherb Epilobium hirsutum greater plantain Plantago major hawthorn Crataegus monogyna herb robert Geranium robertianum hogweed Heracleum sphondylium ivy Hedera helix

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ENGLISH NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME knotgrass Polygonum aviculare laurel - meadow buttercup Ranunculus acris nipplewort Lapsana communis perennial rye-grass Lolium perenne perennial sow-thistle Sonchus arvensis pineappleweed Matricaria discoidea red fescue Festuca rubra ribwort plantain Plantago lanceolata rose spp Rosa spp spear thistle Cirsium vulgare spurge Euphorbia spp sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus white clover Trifolium repens white dead-nettle Lamium album willow spp Salix spp Yorkshire-fog Holcus lanatus *Garden escapes

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APPENDIX 2 Data search results

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Achieving more for nature Report details Produced for Rachel McNally, Scarborough Nixon Associates Ltd

Produced by charliebarnes Produced on 09/10/2018 (expires 09/10/2019) LERC reference ARq-0899 Aspects included in this report Non-statutory sites Statutory sites Habitats Species Search area (all aspects combined) Centre of search area: E: 500949 N: 338750

Terms and conditions

1. Copyright of all records remains with the recorder, and of the collated data with LERC.

2. No copies of data are to be made for use by third parties, without written permission from the original copyright owners of the data.

3. Permission must be obtained in writing from LERC if the data supplied is to be used for any other purpose than that requested.

4. LERC shall be acknowledged in any report relating to data supplied, and one copy of any such report will be supplied free of charge.

5. Permission to use data expires 12 months after its supply. Applications to extend beyond this period should be made before the expiry date.

6. Data provided is as held by LERC. Past records of presence of a species or habitat do not guarantee continued occurrence.

Any reuse of the GIS layers must include the relevant attribution statement.

About the Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre The Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre (LERC) collates wildlife and geological information for Greater Lincolnshire from various sources and makes it available for various uses. This data is crucial to aid conservation management of sites, to help organisations prioritise action, and to understand the distribution of species and trends over time. For more information on LERC or to request a data search, visit the website at http://glnp.org.uk/partnership/lerc/

Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre is an ALERC accredited LRC, meeting the standard level criteria For more information on accreditation, see the ALERC website at http://www.alerc.org.uk/accreditation.html

2 Non-statutory sites

Site citation sheets are available for Local Wildlife Sites, Local Geological Sites, Sites of Nature Conservation Interest and Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites. GIS boundaries are available for Local Wildlife Sites, Local Geological Sites, Sites of Nature Conservation Interest, Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust nature reserves and Roadside Nature Reserves. Distance is given as the shortest distance in kilometres from the unbuffered search area to the site.

Local Wildlife Sites (LWSs) LWSs, along with biological Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), are the most important places for wildlife at a local level. The GLNP seeks to identify every site that satisfies the selection criteria presented in the LWS guidelines, thus recognising a comprehensive suite of sites. Sites are selected by the Nature Partnership, based on recommendations made by its expert working group known as the LWS Panel and then submitted for inclusion within local authority planning policy. Identifying these sites helps local authorities meet their obligations under legislation and government guidance, including reporting on the number of sites in positive management for Single Data List Indicator 160-00. Attribution statement: Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2018. CODE NAME STATUS EASTING NORTHING DISTANCE 452STATUS KingsNAME Street, Wild Flower Way SelectedTYPE LWS 499277CODE 339404CODE 1.41DISTANCE no533 sites foundMill in theLane search West, area Wild Flower Way Selected LWS 499227 338560 1.46 849 Welby to Haceby Road Verges Selected LWS 501005 336926 1.79 3792 Nightingale Plantation Selected LWS 501009 337679 0.82 4148 Oasby Road Verges Selected LWS 500356 339961 0.89 4197 Heydour Warren to Oasby Road Verges Selected LWS 499772 339901 1.16 4199 Mill Lane East, Wild Flower Way Selected LWS 499894 338754 0.80 4383 Heydour Lodge Road Verges Selected LWS 499951 337504 1.42 8 site(s) found in the search area

Local Geological Sites (LGSs) LGSs, along with geological Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) are the most important places for geodiversity and heritage in the county. They have substantive geoconservation value and their function is to protect and manage such interest and, where possible, provide educational opportunities. The GLNP seeks to identify every site that satisfies the selection criteria presented in the LGS guidelines. Sites are selected by the Nature Partnership, based on recommendations made by its expert working group known as the LGS Panel and then submitted for inclusion within local authority planning policy. Identifying these sites helps local authorities meet their obligations under legislation and government guidance, including reporting on the number of sites in positive management for Single Data List Indicator 160-00. Attribution statement: Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2018. CODE NAME STATUS EASTING NORTHING DISTANCE STATUS NAME TYPE CODE CODE DISTANCE no sites found in the search area

3 Sites of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCIs) The LWSs status supersedes that of Sites of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCIs), which were identified on the basis of local knowledge and were selected without consideration of any formal criteria. In Greater Lincolnshire, the GLNP aims to assess all existing SNCIs using the criteria outlined in LWS guidelines. To avoid confusion, until sites have been assessed against the LWS criteria they retain their SNCI status. Attribution statement: Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2018. CODE NAME STATUS EASTING NORTHING DISTANCE 3512STATUS CulverthorpeNAME Lake NotifiedTYPE SNCI 501971CODE 339916CODE 1.31DISTANCE no3519 sites foundDembleby in the search Thorns area Notified SNCI 502662 338345 1.24 3645 Heydour Southings Notified SNCI 501634 337865 0.91 3827 Patman's Wood Notified SNCI 501365 340609 1.78 4 site(s) found in the search area

Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites (RIGSs) The LGS status supersedes that of RIGS, which were identified on the basis of local knowledge and were selected without consideration of any formal criteria. In Greater Lincolnshire, the GLNP aims to assess all existing RIGSs using the criteria outlined in LGS guidelines. To avoid confusion, until sites have been assessed against the LGS criteria they retain their RIGS status. Attribution statement: Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2018. CODE NAME STATUS EASTING NORTHING DISTANCE STATUS NAME TYPE CODE CODE DISTANCE no sites found in the search area

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Reserves (LWT) The Lincolnshire Trust for Nature Conservation, formed in 1948, (and now known as the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust) is a charity dedicated to safeguarding the countryside and wildlife of the historic county. It is one of a network of Wildlife Trusts that together form the largest voluntary organisation in the UK devoted to all aspects of wildlife protection. Attribution statement: Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2018. CODE NAME STATUS EASTING NORTHING DISTANCE STATUS NAME TYPE CODE CODE DISTANCE no sites found in the search area

Roadside Nature Reserves (RNRs) A scheme for the protection and management of roadside verges was set up in 1960 by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and sites were originally termed "Protected Roadside Verges" (PRVs). Run in cooperation with Lincolnshire County Council, the Highways Division provides financial and advisory support with management is carried out by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. There are 65 Roadside Nature Reserves, which total a distance of over 80 kilometres (50 miles). For each verge, the Trust appoints a voluntary 'Wayside Warden' to help look after the biological interest in liaison with the Divisional Surveyors and landowners. Attribution statement: Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2018. CODE NAME STATUS EASTING NORTHING DISTANCE V060STATUS HeydourNAME Lodge -TYPE 499962CODE 337505CODE 1.40DISTANCE no1 site(s) sites foundfound inin thethe searchsearch areaarea

4 Non-statutory sites within the search area

© Crown Copyright and Database Rights (2018) Ordnance Survey (100025370) Space restrictions on the map may result in some sites not being labelled. Please refer to the GIS layers or site citations for details.

5 Statutory sites

Distance is given as the shortest distance in kilometres from the unbuffered search area to the site.

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) SSSIs are part of the national suite of sites providing statutory protection for the best examples of the UK's flora, fauna, or geological or physiographical features. These sites are also used to underpin other national and international nature conservation designations, and are currently designated under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended in the Countryside Rights of Way Act 2000). Attribution statement: © Natural England copyright. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2018. CODE NAME STATUS EASTING NORTHING DISTANCE STATUS NAME TYPE CODE CODE DISTANCE no sites found in the search area

National Nature Reserves (NNRs) NNRs represent many of the finest wildlife and geological sites in the country. They are selected from the Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and so each NNR has at least two designations. Attribution statement: © Natural England copyright. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2018. CODE NAME STATUS EASTING NORTHING DISTANCE STATUS NAME TYPE CODE CODE DISTANCE no sites found in the search area

Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) LNRs are areas designated by the local authority, and protected through the Local Plan as of special wildlife interest that enhance public enjoyment of wildlife. The local authority either has ownership or a legal interest in the land. Attribution statement: © Natural England copyright. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2018. NB This national dataset is “indicative” not “definitive”. Definitive information can only be provided by individual local authorities and you should refer directly to their information for all purposes that require the most up to date and complete dataset. CODE NAME STATUS EASTING NORTHING DISTANCE STATUS NAME TYPE CODE CODE DISTANCE no sites found in the search area

Special Protection Areas (SPAs) SPAs are areas of the most important habitat for rare (listed on Annex I of the Birds Directive) and migratory birds within the European Union. SPAs, together with SACs, form the Natura 2000 network. SPA designation is underpinned by SSSI designation in the UK. Attribution statement: © Natural England copyright. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2018. CODE NAME STATUS EASTING NORTHING DISTANCE STATUS NAME TYPE CODE CODE DISTANCE no sites found in the search area

6 Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) SACs are areas which have been identified as best representing the range and variety within the European Union of habitats and (non-bird) species listed on Annexes I and II of the Habitats Directive. SACs, together with SPAs, form the Natura 2000 network. SAC designation is underpinned by SSSI designation in the UK. Attribution statement: © Natural England copyright. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2018. CODE NAME STATUS EASTING NORTHING DISTANCE STATUS NAME TYPE CODE CODE DISTANCE no sites found in the search area

Ramsar Sites (Ramsars) Ramsar Sites are wetlands of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention. Most Ramsar Sites are also classified as SPAs, with all terrestrial Ramsar Sites also notified as SSSIs. Attribution statement: © Natural England copyright. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2018. CODE NAME STATUS EASTING NORTHING DISTANCE STATUS NAME TYPE CODE CODE DISTANCE no sites found in the search area

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) AONBs were created by legislation within the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act of 1949. In Greater Lincolnshire there is one AONB, which is the Lincolnshire Wolds. Attribution statement: © Natural England copyright. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2018. CODE NAME STATUS EASTING NORTHING DISTANCE STATUS NAME TYPE CODE CODE DISTANCE no sites found in the search area

7 Statutory sites within the search area

8 Habitats

Ancient Woodland Sites The Ancient Woodland Inventory (AWI), maintained by Natural England, is a provisional list of woodland sites over 2ha in size that have had continuous woodland cover since at least 1600AD. This includes ancient semi-natural woodland (ASNW) and ancient replanted woodland (ARW - also known as plantation on ancient woodland sites or PAWS). Attribution statement: Ancient Woodland © Natural England copyright. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2018. HABITAT Area (ha) NAMEAncient & Semi-Natural Woodland NAME11.93 noAncient polygons Replanted found inWoodland the search area 2.57 14.5 hectare(s) found in the search area

Priority Habitats Priority habitats are those identified as being the most threatened and requiring conservation action in the UK. The data presented is the most up-to-date of the data collated by the GLNP; further historic data and non-Priority habitat data may also be available. Attribution statement: Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2018. HABITAT Area (ha) NAMELowland calcareous grassland NAME7.23 noLowland polygons mixed found deciduous in the search woodland area 12.13 Ponds 0.08 19.44 hectare(s) found in the search area

9 Habitats within the search area

10 Species

Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre holds records on the following species within or overlapping the search area. Data shown is as held by LERC; past records of presence of a species does not guarantee continued occurrence and absence of records does not imply absence of a species, merely that no records are held. Depending on the parameters of the data search, additional records may be available. Confidential data, data at poorly defined geographic resolutions and data pending validation and/or verification may also be excluded from this report.

Grid references are limited to 100m accuracy, although higher resolutions may be available. Location data for the following record types are further limited to avoid environmental harm: badger setts, bat roosts. Release of enhanced data is dealt with on a case-by-case basis and confidential records are provided separately.

The following organisations have contributed data to this report: • Butterfly Conservation - Lincolnshire Branch • Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership • Lincolnshire Badger Group • Lincolnshire Bat Group • Lincolnshire Bird Club • Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union • People's Trust for Endangered Species • Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Data is converted for use in the LERC database and may not exactly match the source data.

The results of the species search have been broken down into 1 separate data output(s), which are summarised on the following pages. Zero abundance records are excluded from these summaries, but are included in the spread sheets (these can be identified by having abundance values of '0 Present (Count: Exact)').

11 Search #1 Search parameters Designations: Taxonomic groups: Geographic area: allBadgers-1992 designations all taxonomic groups BAP-2007 GBNNSIP HabReg-Sch2 HabReg-Sch4 HabReg-Sch5 LBAP:3 WACA-Sch1_part1 WACA-Sch1_part2 WACA-Sch5_sect9.1(kill/injuring) WACA-Sch5_sect9.1(taking) WACA-Sch5_sect9.2 WACA-Sch5_sect9.4.a WACA-Sch5_sect9.4b WACA-Sch5_sect9.5a WACA-Sch5_sect9.5b WACA-Sch5Sect9.4A* WACA-Sch5Sect9.4c WACA-Sch8

Summary noAmphibian data returned (2 taxa) Number of Date range Designations records recorded Common Frog, Rana temporaria 11 1977 - 2009 Bern3, HSD5, WCA5/9.5a Common Toad, Bufo bufo 3 1977 - 1977 Bern3, ScotBL, Sect.41, Sect.42, UKBAP, WCA5/9.5a

Bird (43 taxa) Number of Date range Designations records recorded Barn Owl, Tyto alba 3 2009 - 2015 Bern2, CITESA, FEP7/2, LBAP:3, LBCSchedule1, ScotBL, WCA1i, WCA9, WO1i Brambling, Fringilla montifringilla 3 2003 - 2007 ScotBL, WCA1i Bullfinch, Pyrrhula pyrrhula 6 1984 - 2013 BAmb, BoCC4-Amber, FEP7/2, LBAP:3, ScotBL Canada Goose, Branta canadensis 36 1998 - 2015 BD2.1, CMS_A2, GBNNSIP, Non-native, WCA9 Collared Dove, Streptopelia decaocto 28 1984 - 2015 BD2.2, GBNNSIP Corn Bunting, Emberiza calandra 8 2006 - 2010 BoCC4-Red, BRed, FEP7/2, LBAP:3, ScotBL, WO1i Cuckoo, Cuculus canorus 1 1984 - 1984 BoCC4-Red, BRed, ScotBL, Sect.41, Sect.42, UKBAP Curlew, Numenius arquata 1 1998 - 1998 BD2.2, BoCC4-Red, BRed, CMS_A2, CMS_AEWA-A2, FEP7/2, LBAP:3, RLGLB.NT, ScotBL, Sect.41, Sect.42, UKBAP Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Branta bernicla subsp. bernicla 7 2015 - 2015 BAmb, BD2.2, BoCC4-Amber, CMS_A2, CMS_AEWA-A2, FEP7/2, GBNNSIP, Sect.41, Sect.42, UKBAP Fieldfare, Turdus pilaris 38 1998 - 2015 BD2.2, BoCC4-Red, BRed, WCA1i, WO1i Gadwall, Anas strepera 3 1998 - 2013 BAmb, BD2.1, BoCC4-Amber, CMS_A2, CMS_AEWA-A2, GBNNSIP, Non-native, WO1ii Great Northern Diver, Gavia immer 19 2005 - 2005 BAmb, BD1, Bern2, BoCC4-Amber, CMS_AEWA-A2, ScotBL, WCA1i Grey Partridge, Perdix perdix 7 2007 - 2014 BD2.1, BoCC4-Red, BRed, FEP7/2, GBNNSIP, LBAP:3, ScotBL, Sect.41, Sect.42, UKBAP Greylag Goose, Anser anser 43 1984 - 2016 BAmb, BD2.1, BoCC4-Amber, CMS_A2, CMS_AEWA-A2, Non-native, WCA1ii Hobby, Falco subbuteo 3 1998 - 1998 Bern2, CITESA, CMS_A2, LBCSchedule1, ScotBL, WCA1i

12 House Sparrow, Passer domesticus 32 2008 - 2015 BoCC4-Red, BRed, LBAP:3, ScotBL, Sect.41, Sect.42, UKBAP Kingfisher, Alcedo atthis 3 1998 - 2005 BAmb, BD1, Bern2, BoCC4-Amber, FEP7/2, LBCSchedule1, ScotBL, WCA1i, WO1i Lapwing, Vanellus vanellus 9 1984 - 2010 BD2.2, BoCC4-Red, BRed, CMS_A2, CMS_AEWA-A2, FEP7/2, LBAP:3, ScotBL, Sect.41, Sect.42, UKBAP Linnet, Linaria cannabina 6 1983 - 2015 Bern2, BoCC4-Red, BRed, FEP7/2, LBAP:3, ScotBL Little Owl, Athene noctua 1 2006 - 2006 Bern2, CITESA, GBNNSIP, Non-native Mandarin Duck, Aix galericulata 1 1998 - 1998 CMS_A2, GBNNSIP, Non-native, WCA9 Marsh Harrier, Circus aeruginosus 1 2006 - 2006 BAmb, BD1, BoCC4-Amber, CITESA, CMS_A2, FEP7/2, LBCSchedule1, ScotBL, WCA1i, WO1i Merlin, Falco columbarius 1 1984 - 1984 BD1, Bern2, BoCC4-Red, BRed, CITESA, CMS_A2, FEP7/2, ScotBL, WCA1i, WO1i Mute Swan, Cygnus olor 53 1998 - 2015 BAmb, BD2.2, BoCC4-Amber, CMS_A2, CMS_AEWA-A2, GBNNSIP Pheasant, Phasianus colchicus 36 1984 - 2015 BD2.1, GBNNSIP Pink-footed Goose, Anser brachyrhynchus 1 2006 - 2006 BAmb, BD2.2, BoCC4-Amber, CMS_A2, CMS_AEWA-A2, GBNNSIP, Non-native Pintail, Anas acuta 1 2015 - 2015 BAmb, BD2.1, BoCC4-Amber, CITESC, CMS_A2, CMS_AEWA-A2, GBNNSIP, WCA1ii, WO1ii Pochard, Aythya ferina 5 1984 - 2014 BD2.1, BoCC4-Red, BRed, CMS_A2, CMS_AEWA-A2, GBNNSIP, ScotBL, WO1ii Red Kite, Milvus milvus 20 2003 - 2016 BD1, CITESA, CMS_A2, FEP7/2, LBCSchedule1, Non-native, RLGLB.NT, ScotBL, WCA1i, WCA9 Red-legged Partridge, Alectoris rufa 9 1984 - 2015 BD2.1, GBNNSIP, Non-native Redwing, Turdus iliacus 18 1998 - 2015 BD2.2, BoCC4-Red, BRed, ScotBL, WCA1i Reed Bunting, Emberiza schoeniclus 4 2012 - 2014 BAmb, Bern2, BoCC4-Amber, FEP7/2, LBAP:3, ScotBL, Sect.41, Sect.42, UKBAP Skylark, Alauda arvensis 14 2005 - 2015 BD2.2, BoCC4-Red, BRed, FEP7/2, LBAP:3, ScotBL, Sect.41 Snipe, Gallinago gallinago 1 2010 - 2010 BAmb, BD2.1, BoCC4-Amber, CMS_A2, CMS_AEWA-A2, FEP7/2, LBAP:3 Song Thrush, Turdus philomelos 10 2009 - 2015 BD2.2, BoCC4-Red, BRed, FEP7/2, LBAP:3, ScotBL Spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa striata 9 1984 - 2015 Bern2, BoCC4-Red, BRed, CMS_A2, FEP7/2, ScotBL, Sect.41, Sect.42, UKBAP Starling, Sturnus vulgaris 27 2008 - 2015 BD2.2, BoCC4-Red, BRed, FEP7/2, LBAP:3 Swift, Apus apus 3 2009 - 2014 BAmb, BoCC4-Amber, LBAP:3, ScotBL Tree Sparrow, Passer montanus 10 1983 - 2013 BoCC4-Red, BRed, FEP7/2, LBAP:3, ScotBL, Sect.41, Sect.42, UKBAP Turtle Dove, Streptopelia turtur 3 1998 - 2011 BD2.2, BoCC4-Red, BRed, CITESA, FEP7/2, LBAP:3, ScotBL, Sect.41, Sect.42, UKBAP, WO1i Whooper Swan, Cygnus cygnus 1 2013 - 2013 BAmb, BD1, Bern2, BoCC4-Amber, CMS_A2, CMS_AEWA-A2, FEP7/2, GBNNSIP, Non- native, ScotBL, WCA1i, WO1i Wigeon, Anas penelope 3 1998 - 2011 BAmb, BD2.1, BoCC4-Amber, CITESC, CMS_A2, CMS_AEWA-A2, GBNNSIP, WO1ii Yellowhammer, Emberiza citrinella 16 1983 - 2015 Bern2, BoCC4-Red, BRed, FEP7/2, LBAP:3, ScotBL, Sect.41, Sect.42, UKBAP

Conifer (1 taxa) Number of Date range Designations records recorded Western Red-cedar, Thuja plicata 1 2015 - 2015 GBNNSIP, Non-native

Flowering Plant (90 taxa) Number of Date range Designations records recorded Alsike Clover, Trifolium hybridum 1 2016 - 2016 GBNNSIP American Willowherb, Epilobium ciliatum 3 2015 - 2017 GBNNSIP, Non-native Apple, Malus pumila 3 2015 - 2017 GBNNSIP, Non-native Barren Brome, Bromus sterilis 8 2015 - 2017 GBNNSIP Basil Thyme, Clinopodium acinos 1 2017 - 2017 RLENG.VU, RLGB.VU, ScotBL, Sect.41, Sect.42, UKBAP Beaked Hawk's-beard, Crepis vesicaria 1 2016 - 2016 GBNNSIP Black Horehound, Ballota nigra 3 2015 - 2016 GBNNSIP Black-bindweed, Fallopia convolvulus 6 2015 - 2017 GBNNSIP, Non-native, ScotBL

13 Black-grass, Alopecurus myosuroides 8 2015 - 2017 GBNNSIP, Non-native, ScotBL Bluebell, Hyacinthoides non-scripta 2 2015 - 2015 Peterken-CL, WCA8 Bluebell, Hyacinthoides non-scripta x hispanica = H. x massartiana 1 2016 - 2016 GBNNSIP, Non-native Borage, Borago officinalis 1 2017 - 2017 GBNNSIP Bramble, Rubus armeniacus 1 2016 - 2016 GBNNSIP, Non-native Bristly Oxtongue, Picris echioides 4 2016 - 2017 GBNNSIP Broad Bean, Vicia faba 1 2016 - 2016 GBNNSIP Butterfly-bush, Buddleja davidii 1 2016 - 2016 GBNNSIP, NE_EA_INNS, Non-native Canadian Fleabane, Conyza canadensis 1 2016 - 2016 GBNNSIP, Non-native Caper Spurge, Euphorbia lathyris 1 2016 - 2016 CITESB, GBNNSIP Charlock, Sinapis arvensis 3 2015 - 2016 GBNNSIP, ScotBL Cherry Laurel, Prunus laurocerasus 1 2016 - 2016 GBNNSIP Cherry Plum, Prunus cerasifera 1 2016 - 2016 GBNNSIP, Non-native Common Field-speedwell, Veronica persica 8 2015 - 2017 GBNNSIP, Non-native Common Fumitory, Fumaria officinalis 1 2015 - 2015 GBNNSIP Common Mallow, Malva sylvestris 2 2015 - 2016 GBNNSIP Common Poppy, Papaver rhoeas 8 1988 - 2017 GBNNSIP Common Vetch, Vicia sativa subsp. segetalis 1 2016 - 2016 GBNNSIP, Non-native Crepis vesicaria subsp. taraxacifolia 1 2015 - 2015 GBNNSIP Cut-leaved Crane's-bill, Geranium dissectum 7 2015 - 2017 GBNNSIP Dwarf Spurge, Euphorbia exigua 1 2016 - 2016 CITESB, GBNNSIP, RLENG.VU, RLGB.Lr(NT) Equal-leaved Knotgrass, Polygonum arenastrum 3 2015 - 2017 GBNNSIP, Non-native Feverfew, Tanacetum parthenium 1 2016 - 2016 GBNNSIP, Non-native Field Forget-me-not, Myosotis arvensis 5 2015 - 2017 GBNNSIP Field Pansy, Viola arvensis 5 2015 - 2017 GBNNSIP, Non-native Fig-leaved Goosefoot, Chenopodium ficifolium 1 2015 - 2015 GBNNSIP, Non-native Fox-and-cubs, Pilosella aurantiaca 1 2016 - 2016 GBNNSIP, Non-native Garden Grape-hyacinth, Muscari armeniacum 1 2016 - 2016 GBNNSIP, Non-native Great Brome, Bromus diandrus 1 2015 - 2015 GBNNSIP, Non-native Greater Burdock, Arctium lappa 1 2017 - 2017 GBNNSIP Greater Celandine, Chelidonium majus 1 2016 - 2016 GBNNSIP, ScotBL Green Alkanet, Pentaglottis sempervirens 2 2015 - 2016 GBNNSIP, Non-native Ground-elder, Aegopodium podagraria 1 2016 - 2016 GBNNSIP Hedge Mustard, Sisymbrium officinale 6 2015 - 2017 GBNNSIP Hedgerow Crane's-bill, Geranium pyrenaicum 3 2016 - 2017 GBNNSIP, Non-native Hemlock, Conium maculatum 5 2015 - 2017 GBNNSIP Himalayan Honeysuckle, Leycesteria formosa 1 2016 - 2016 GBNNSIP, Non-native Honesty, Lunaria annua 1 2015 - 2015 GBNNSIP Horse-chestnut, Aesculus hippocastanum 2 2015 - 2016 GBNNSIP Horse-radish, Armoracia rusticana 1 2016 - 2016 GBNNSIP, Non-native Hybrid Black-poplar, Populus nigra x deltoides = P. x canadensis 1 2016 - 2016 GBNNSIP, Non-native Ivy-leaved Speedwell, Veronica hederifolia 2 2016 - 2016 GBNNSIP Ivy-Leaved Speedwell, Veronica hederifolia subsp. hederifolia 1 2017 - 2017 GBNNSIP, Non-native Ivy-leaved Toadflax, Cymbalaria muralis 1 2016 - 2016 GBNNSIP, Non-native Laburnham, Laburnum anagyroides 1 2016 - 2016 GBNNSIP, Non-native Least Yellow-sorrel, Oxalis exilis 1 2016 - 2016 GBNNSIP, Non-native Mugwort, Artemisia vulgaris 3 2016 - 2017 GBNNSIP Night-flowering Catchfly, Silene noctiflora 4 2015 - 2016 FEP7/3, GBNNSIP, RLENG.VU, RLGB.VU, ScotBL Norway Maple, Acer platanoides 1 2016 - 2016 GBNNSIP Opium Poppy, Papaver somniferum 1 2017 - 2017 GBNNSIP Oxford Ragwort, Senecio squalidus 1 2016 - 2016 GBNNSIP Pear, Pyrus communis 1 2016 - 2016 GBNNSIP, Non-native Petty Spurge, Euphorbia peplus 2 2016 - 2017 CITESB, GBNNSIP Pineappleweed, Matricaria discoidea 9 2015 - 2016 GBNNSIP, Non-native Prickly Lettuce, Lactuca serriola 2 2015 - 2017 GBNNSIP Purple Toadflax, Linaria purpurea 1 2016 - 2016 GBNNSIP, Non-native Rat's-tail Fescue, Vulpia myuros 2 2015 - 2016 GBNNSIP, Non-native Red Dead-nettle, Lamium purpureum 3 2016 - 2016 GBNNSIP Red Horse-chestnut, Aesculus carnea 1 2016 - 2016 GBNNSIP, Non-native Red Valerian, Centranthus ruber 3 2015 - 2017 GBNNSIP Russian Comfrey, Symphytum officinale x asperum = S. x uplandicum 1 2016 - 2016 GBNNSIP, Non-native Scented Mayweed, Matricaria chamomilla 2 2015 - 2016 GBNNSIP Scentless Mayweed, Tripleurospermum inodorum 3 2015 - 2016 GBNNSIP, Non-native Shepherd's-purse, Capsella bursa-pastoris 7 2015 - 2017 GBNNSIP, Non-native

14 Slender Speedwell, Veronica filiformis 1 2016 - 2016 GBNNSIP, Non-native Snowberry, Symphoricarpos albus 2 2015 - 2016 GBNNSIP, Non-native Snowdrop, Galanthus nivalis 1 2016 - 2016 CITESB, GBNNSIP Stinking Chamomile, Anthemis cotula 1 2016 - 2016 FEP7/3, GBNNSIP, RLENG.VU, RLGB.VU Sun Spurge, Euphorbia helioscopia 5 2015 - 2016 CITESB, GBNNSIP, ScotBL Swine-cress, Lepidium coronopus 5 2015 - 2017 GBNNSIP, Non-native, ScotBL Sycamore, Acer pseudoplatanus 5 2015 - 2017 GBNNSIP Wall Barley, Hordeum murinum 2 2016 - 2017 GBNNSIP Wall Cotoneaster, Cotoneaster horizontalis 1 2016 - 2016 GBNNSIP, Non-native, WCA9 Weeping Willow, Salix alba x babylonica = S. x sepulcralis 1 2016 - 2016 FEP1, GBNNSIP, Non-native Weld, Reseda luteola 2 2015 - 2017 GBNNSIP White Campion, Silene latifolia 7 2015 - 2017 GBNNSIP, Non-native White Comfrey, Symphytum orientale 1 2016 - 2016 GBNNSIP White Dead-nettle, Lamium album 7 2015 - 2016 GBNNSIP White Willow, Salix alba 1 2016 - 2016 FEP1, GBNNSIP Wild-oat, Avena fatua 6 2015 - 2017 GBNNSIP Winter Heliotrope, Petasites fragrans 1 2016 - 2016 GBNNSIP, NE_EA_INNS, Non-native Yellow Archangel, Lamium galeobdolon subsp. argentatum 1 2017 - 2017 GBNNSIP, Non-native, Peterken-CL, WCA9

Insect - Beetle (coleoptera) (4 taxa) Number of Date range Designations records recorded Bean Seed Beetle, Bruchus rufimanus 1 2012 - 2012 GBNNSIP Black Oil-beetle, Meloe proscarabaeus 1 2017 - 2017 Sect.41, Sect.42, UKBAP Churchyard Beetle, Blaps mucronata 1 2017 - 2017 GBNNSIP Wood-Boring Weevil, Euophryum confine 2 2015 - 2017 GBNNSIP, Non-native

Insect - Butterfly (2 taxa) Number of Date range Designations records recorded Small Heath, Coenonympha pamphilus 12 1998 - 2014 RLGB.Lr(NT), ScotBL, Sect.41, Sect.42, UKBAP Wall, Lasiommata megera 2 1987 - 1991 RLGB.Lr(NT), ScotBL, Sect.41, Sect.42, UKBAP

Insect - Moth (2 taxa) Number of Date range Designations records recorded Figure of Eight, Diloba caeruleocephala 1 1987 - 1987 ScotBL, Sect.41, Sect.42, UKBAP Lackey, Malacosoma neustria 1 1987 - 1987 ScotBL, Sect.41, Sect.42, UKBAP

Mollusc (2 taxa) Number of Date range Designations records recorded Common Garden Snail, Cornu aspersum 1 1971 - 1971 GBNNSIP, Non-native Jenkins' Spire Snail, Potamopyrgus antipodarum 1 1983 - 1983 GBNNSIP, Non-native

Reptile (2 taxa) Number of Date range Designations records recorded Common Lizard, Zootoca vivipara 1 1977 - 1977 Bern3, ScotBL, Sect.41, Sect.42, UKBAP, WCA5/9.1k/I, WCA5/9.5a, WO5 Grass Snake, Natrix helvetica 1 1977 - 1977 Bern3, Sect.41, Sect.42, UKBAP, WCA5/9.1k/I, WCA5/9.5a

Terrestrial Mammal (13 taxa) Number of Date range Designations records recorded Bats, Chiroptera 14 0 - 2017 Bern2, Bern3, CMS_A2, CMS_EUROBATS-A1, FEP7/2, HabRegs2, HSD2p, HSD4, LBAP:3, RLGLB.NT, ScotBL, Sect.41, Sect.42, UKBAP, WCA5/9.4b, WCA5/9.4c, WCA5/9.5a Brown Hare, Lepus europaeus 13 1977 - 2012 FEP7/2, ScotBL, Sect.41, Sect.42, UKBAP Brown Long-eared Bat, Plecotus auritus 5 1988 - 2008 Bern2, CMS_A2, CMS_EUROBATS-A1, FEP7/2, HabRegs2, HSD4, LBAP:3, ScotBL, Sect.41, Sect.42, UKBAP, WCA5/9.4b, WCA5/9.4c, WCA5/9.5a Brown Rat, Rattus norvegicus 2 1977 - 1995 GBNNSIP, Non-native Common Pipistrelle, Pipistrellus pipistrellus sensu stricto 1 2007 - 2007 CMS_A2, CMS_EUROBATS-A1, HabRegs2, HSD4, LBAP:3, Sect.42, WCA5/9.4b, WCA5/9.4c, WCA5/9.5a Eastern Grey Squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis 10 1977 - 1996 GBNNSIP, Non-native, WCA9 Eurasian Badger, Meles meles 9 2004 - 2018 Bern3, PBA, WO5

15 European Rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus 16 1977 - 2017 GBNNSIP, Non-native European Water Vole, Arvicola amphibius 1 1977 - 1977 FEP7/2, LBAP:3, ScotBL, Sect.41, Sect.42, UKBAP, WCA5/9.4.a, WCA5/9.4b, WCA5/9.4c Fallow Deer, Dama dama 7 1977 - 2009 Bern3, GBNNSIP, Non-native Harvest Mouse, Micromys minutus 1 2009 - 2009 Sect.41, Sect.42, UKBAP Pipistrelle Bat species, Pipistrellus 5 2005 - 2014 Bern2, Bern3, CMS_A2, CMS_EUROBATS-A1, FEP7/2, HabRegs2, HSD4, LBAP:3, ScotBL, Sect.41, Sect.42, UKBAP, WCA5/9.4b, WCA5/9.4c, WCA5/9.5a West European Hedgehog, Erinaceus europaeus 12 1977 - 2013 Bern3, ScotBL, Sect.41, Sect.42, UKBAP

16 Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership Banovallum House Manor House Street Horncastle Lincolnshire LN9 5HF

Tel: 01507 528398 Email: [email protected] Web: www.glnp.org.uk

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APPENDIX 3 Procedure to follow in the event of finding bats on site

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Procedure to follow if bats are discovered during works

• If at any point during the works, bats are discovered then contractors must stop work immediately and telephone Scarborough Nixon Associates either Helen Scarborough on 01526 344726 or 07979 833524 or Ian Nixon on 01205 723342 or 07833 674500.

• Scarborough Nixon Associates will either provide an appropriately licensed bat worker to the site or provide a member of staff who will liaise directly with Natural England. Actions will then be taken following advice given.

• Should it transpire that the operation being carried out is of more risk to bats than was originally thought, then works will be stopped until they can be supervised by an appropriately licensed bat worker.

• If a bat is found under a tile or any other aperture, works will stop immediately (as above). If the bat does not voluntarily fly out, then the aperture will be carefully covered over to protect the bat(s) from the elements, leaving a small gap for the bat to escape voluntarily. Any covering should be free from grease or other contaminants and should not be a fibreglass-based material.

• Any injured bats should be gently placed in a secure ventilated box in a cool, quiet dark place (e.g. cardboard box with a sealed lid) by the contractor for the bat’s protection whilst awaiting the arrival of the licensed person.

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APPENDIX 4 Examples of bat roost features

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APPENDIX 5 Barn owl information

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